Ultimaker ABS, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS v5.00, April 20, 2022.
AISI 1045 cold drawn bar (Niagara LaSalle) for mechanical; Ovako C45 (lists 'SAE 1045' as a similar designation) for physical constants
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Plastic ABS is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Plastic ABS stronger than Steel AISI 1045?
Steel AISI 1045 is stronger: its yield strength is 531 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (13.9x).
Which is lighter, Plastic ABS or Steel AISI 1045?
Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 7,800 kg/m³ for Steel AISI 1045.
Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS or Steel AISI 1045?
Steel AISI 1045 is stiffer: Young's modulus 210 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in Steel AISI 1045 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS or Steel AISI 1045?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Steel AISI 1045 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie.
Part that must be
Plastic ABS
Steel AISI 1045
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
15.1x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
46% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
49% heavier
Strong rod or tie
1.97x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
lighter
22% heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
1.9x heavier
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which conducts heat better, Plastic ABS or Steel AISI 1045?
Steel AISI 1045 conducts heat better: 42.5 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel AISI 1045 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS.