FDM HIPS vs. Rubber

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

FDM HIPS3D printed (FDM)

RubberBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical	FDM HIPS	Rubber
Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	18.4MPa1	23MPa225% stronger
Flexural strength	31.8MPa1	not sourced
Elongation at break	1.4%1	830%2593x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)	1.59GPa1	not sourced
Density	1,023kg/m³1	960kg/m³2
Strength to weight	18kN·m/kg	24kN·m/kg33% higher
Stiffness to weight	1.55MN·m/kg	not sourced
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	government0.53
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	Rubber
Thermal conductivity	base material0.17W/m·K413% more heat through a fin	0.151W/m·K5
Thermal expansion	base material80µm/m·K4	not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	400µm growth	not sourced
Specific heat	not sourced	government1,881J/kg·K3
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	0.0836mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Glass transition	99°C1	not sourced
Max service temperature	HDT 1.8 MPa86°C1	70°C2

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: BASF Forward AM, Weir Minerals, National Institute of Standards and Technology, INEOS Styrolution, Defense Technical Information Center

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.
Rubber: Weir Minerals Linatex Premium rubber (95 % natural rubber), typical physical properties, spec sheet WMD0118/202305

1
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
2
Linatex Premium Rubber Spec Sheet (WMD0118, 2023)Weir MineralsRubber · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalRubber · Elongation at break: typicalRubber · Density: typical (specific gravity)Rubber · Max service temperature: continuous use operating range
3
Compressibility of Natural Rubber at Pressures Below 500 kg/cm², J. Res. NBS 68A (1964)National Institute of Standards and Technologyarchived copyRubber · Poisson's ratio: government (NBS J. Res. 68A, 1964): computed by NBS for peroxide-cured gum NR vulcanizate, 25 °C, infinitesimal deformation (0.49 in the solver: the linear element locks as the ratio nears 0.5 (nearly incompressible).)Rubber · Specific heat: government (NBS J. Res. 68A, Table 7; values observed for unvulcanized NR by Bekkedahl and Matheson), 25 °C
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
Thermal Conductivity of Soft Vulcanized Natural Rubber: Selected Values (AD 643325)Defense Technical Information Centerarchived copyRubber · Thermal conductivity: government selected value (US Army Natick Laboratories TR 66-49-PR, 1966), soft vulcanized natural rubber, 25 °C

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 Rubber?

Rubber is stronger: its tensile strength is 23 MPa against 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (25%).

Which is lighter, FDM HIPS or Rubber?

Rubber is lighter: 960 kg/m³ against 1,023 kg/m³ for FDM HIPS.

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

For the same stiffness or strength: Rubber is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	FDM HIPS	Rubber
Strong rod or tie	33% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	24% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	19% 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 Rubber?

Rubber stretches further before it breaks: 830% elongation at break against 1.4% for FDM HIPS.

Thermal

Which conducts heat better, FDM HIPS or Rubber?

FDM HIPS conducts heat better: 0.17 W/m·K against 0.151 W/m·K for Rubber.