Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources6 documents: National Institute of Standards and Technology, BASF Forward AM, Brick Industry Association, INEOS Styrolution
Brick
Solid extruded clay/shale brick units (BIA 1993 manufacturer survey, TN 3A 2024); face brick of 130 lb/ft3 for thermal properties (BIA TN 4, from ASHRAE 2013); CTE is the TMS Code value for clay/shale masonry
FDM HIPS
BASF Forward AM (BASF 3D Printing Solutions) Ultrafuse HiPS, TDS v2.2 (13.11.2019), printed specimens, XY 'Flat'. Specimen print settings are not stated; recommended processing on the sheet: nozzle 240-260 °C, bed 100-120 °C, 40-80 mm/s. Product is discontinued (Forward AM product page) but the TDS is still served by Forward AM.
1
Strength of Masonry Walls Under Compressive and Transverse Loads (Building Science Series 34)National Institute of Standards and Technologyarchived copyBrick · Ultimate tensile strength: modulus of rupture (no direct tensile value)
Technical Notes 3A: Brick Masonry Material PropertiesBrick Industry AssociationBrick · Compressive strength: mean unit compressive strength, solid extruded brick (survey mean; SD 30.8 MPa)Brick · Thermal expansion: TMS Code average coefficient, clay/shale unit masonry
4
Technical Notes 4: Introduction to Energy Performance of Brick Masonry (2016)Brick Industry Associationarchived copyBrick · Density: face brick density row used for k (BIA notes most fired clay brick 120-130 lb/ft3)Brick · Thermal conductivity: range for 130 lb/ft3 face brick (ASHRAE 2013 via BIA)
Technical Notes 4B: Energy Code Compliance of Brick Masonry WallsBrick Industry Associationarchived copyBrick · Specific heat: value used in BIA heat-capacity sample calculation
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
FDM HIPS is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Brick stronger than FDM HIPS?
FDM HIPS is stronger: its tensile strength is 18.4 MPa against 5.1 MPa for Brick (3.61x).
Which is lighter, Brick or FDM HIPS?
FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 2,082 kg/m³ for Brick.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brick or FDM HIPS?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM HIPS is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Brick
FDM HIPS
Strong rod or tie
7.34x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
4.79x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
3.87x heavier
lighter
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).
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Brick or FDM HIPS?
Brick conducts heat better: 1.02 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM HIPS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Brick expands less: 7.2 µm/m·K against 80 µm/m·K for FDM HIPS.