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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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 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
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 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 UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE is stronger: its yield strength is 20 MPa against tensile strength 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (9%).
Which is lighter, FDM HIPS or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,023 kg/m³ for FDM HIPS.
Which is stiffer, FDM HIPS or Plastic UHMWPE?
FDM HIPS is stiffer: Young's modulus 1.59 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in FDM HIPS deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM HIPS or Plastic UHMWPE?
For the same stiffness or strength: FDM HIPS is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic UHMWPE is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
FDM HIPS
Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
2.19x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
41% heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
22% heavier
Strong rod or tie
20% heavier
lighter
Strong beam
16% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
15% 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).
Which is more ductile, FDM HIPS or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE stretches further before it breaks: 465% elongation at break against 1.4% for FDM HIPS.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, FDM HIPS or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE conducts heat better: 0.4 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 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.