FDM HIPS vs. Plastic PTFE

Compare FDM HIPS vs. Plastic PTFE strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

FDM HIPS3D printed (FDM)

Plastic PTFEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical	FDM HIPS	Plastic PTFE
Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	9MPa1
Ultimate tensile strength	18.4MPa2	39.3MPa32.14x stronger
Flexural strength	31.8MPa2	not sourced
Elongation at break	1.4%2	350%3250x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)	1.59GPa2	not sourced
Density	1,023kg/m³22.11x lighter	2,160kg/m³3
Strength to weight	18kN·m/kg4.32x higher	4.17kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	1.55MN·m/kg	not sourced
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.461
Shear modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Bulk modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,246m/s	not sourced

Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight

Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight

Thermal	FDM HIPS	Plastic PTFE
Thermal conductivity	base material0.17W/m·K4	0.25W/m·K147% more heat through a fin
Thermal expansion	base material80µm/m·K425% less	100µm/m·K1
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	400µm growth25% less	500µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	1,400J/kg·K1
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	0.0827mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Melting point	not sourced	second melting peak327°C3
Glass transition	99°C2	not sourced
Max service temperature	HDT 1.8 MPa86°C2	service temperature260°C5

Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight

Thermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated

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Sources5 documents: Chemours, BASF Forward AM, INEOS Styrolution

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.
Plastic PTFE: Chemours Teflon PTFE 7C X granular molding resin, typical values (tensile/elongation measured on 0.13 mm skived tape)

1
Teflon PTFE Fluoropolymer Resin Properties HandbookChemoursarchived copyPlastic PTFE · Yield strength: typical yield strength at 23 °C (Teflon PTFE, Table 8)Plastic PTFE · Poisson's ratio: typical, 23 °C (Teflon PTFE resins, Chemours handbook)Plastic PTFE · Thermal conductivity: typical, granular resin, 4.6 mm specimenPlastic PTFE · Thermal expansion: typical, granular resin, 23-60 °C (ASTM E228)Plastic PTFE · Specific heat: typical, granular resin, 20 °C (ASTM D4591)
2
Ultrafuse HiPS Technical Data Sheet, v2.2 (2019)BASF Forward AMarchived copyFDM HIPS · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalFDM HIPS · Flexural strength: typicalFDM HIPS · Elongation at break: typicalFDM HIPS · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalFDM HIPS · Density: typicalFDM HIPS · Glass transition: typicalFDM HIPS · Max service temperature: HDT 1.8 MPa
3
Teflon PTFE 7C X Product InformationChemoursarchived copyPlastic PTFE · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, skived tape 0.13 mmPlastic PTFE · Elongation at break: typical, skived tape 0.13 mmPlastic PTFE · Density: typical (standard specific gravity, ASTM D4894)Plastic PTFE · Melting point: second melting peak (sintered polymer), +/-10
4
Styrolution PS 486N (HIPS) Product Data SheetINEOS StyrolutionFDM HIPS · Thermal conductivity: base material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typicalFDM HIPS · Thermal expansion: base material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical
5
Teflon PTFE 6C X Product InformationChemoursarchived copyPlastic PTFE · Max service temperature: service temperature (Chemours general Teflon PTFE statement)

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 FDM HIPS stronger than Plastic PTFE?

FDM HIPS is stronger: its tensile strength is 18.4 MPa against yield strength 9 MPa for Plastic PTFE (2.04x).

Which is lighter, FDM HIPS or Plastic PTFE?

FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 2,160 kg/m³ for Plastic PTFE.

Which is lighter for the same job, FDM HIPS or Plastic PTFE?

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	FDM HIPS	Plastic PTFE
Strong rod or tie	lighter	4.32x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	3.4x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	3.02x 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 HIPS or Plastic PTFE?

Plastic PTFE stretches further before it breaks: 350% elongation at break against 1.4% for FDM HIPS.

Thermal

Which conducts heat better, FDM HIPS or Plastic PTFE?

Plastic PTFE conducts heat better: 0.25 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM HIPS.

Which expands less with temperature?

FDM HIPS expands less: 80 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic PTFE.