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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Bambu Lab ASA, TDS V3.0, printed specimens X-Y; nozzle 260 °C, bed 80 °C, 200 mm/s, 100% infill; annealed and dried 80 °C for 12 h before testing.
Plastic UHMWPE
Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named)
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GUR UHMW-PE Overview (GUR-015)CelanesePlastic UHMWPE · Yield strength: typical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/minPlastic UHMWPE · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/minPlastic UHMWPE · Elongation at break: typical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527Plastic UHMWPE · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/minPlastic UHMWPE · Density: typicalPlastic UHMWPE · Melting point: DSC 10 K/minPlastic UHMWPE · Max service temperature: recommended max constant operating temperature
Luran S 777K (ASA) Product Data SheetINEOS StyrolutionFDM ASA · Thermal conductivity: base material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, typicalFDM ASA · Thermal expansion: base material: INEOS Styrolution Luran S 777K injection-molding ASA, range
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GUR UHMW-PE Polymer Guide (GUR-003)Celanesearchived copyPlastic UHMWPE · Thermal conductivity: typical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE)Plastic UHMWPE · Thermal expansion: typical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE)
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 ASA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is FDM ASA stronger than Plastic UHMWPE?
FDM ASA is stronger: its tensile strength is 37 MPa against yield strength 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (1.85x).
Which is lighter, FDM ASA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,050 kg/m³ for FDM ASA.
Which is stiffer, FDM ASA or Plastic UHMWPE?
FDM ASA is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.45 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in FDM ASA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM ASA or Plastic UHMWPE?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM ASA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
FDM ASA
Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
3.29x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
1.71x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
37% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.64x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
33% heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
20% 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 is more ductile, FDM ASA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE stretches further before it breaks: 465% elongation at break against 9.2% for FDM ASA.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, FDM ASA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE conducts heat better: 0.4 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM ASA.
Which expands less with temperature?
FDM ASA expands less: 95 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.