ABS As Printed vs ABS GF40
Polymer · ABS grade comparison
ABS As Printed and ABS GF40 are two grades of the same polymer grade, ABS: As Printed (as built (as printed)) versus GF40 (40% Glass Fiber). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. ABS GF40 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) against 29 MPa (4.21 ksi) for ABS As Printed, about 45% more; tensile strength follows at 110 MPa (16 ksi) vs 30 MPa (4.35 ksi). In exchange, ABS As Printed is the more ductile: elongation 6% versus 1.8% for ABS GF40. ABS As Printed is lighter (1.02 g/cm³ vs 1.36 g/cm³ for ABS GF40) and ABS GF40 is stiffer (11 GPa vs 1.9 GPa). On the shop floor, ABS As Printed machines more easily (very good vs fair) and ABS As Printed welds better (very good vs poor).
ABS As PrintedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
ABS GF40Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
ABS As Printed vs ABS GF40: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Shear Modulus 0.85 GPa0.12 Msi · Bulk Modulus 4 GPa0.51 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.35 · Compressive Modulus 2.2 GPa0.32 Msi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 3 MPa·√m2.7 ksi·√in · Hardness, Shore D 78 Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 105°C221 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Same in both: Limiting Oxygen Index 19% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 95°C203 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 245°C473 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 gal/lb
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
ABS As Printed vs ABS GF40 — frequently asked
Is ABS GF40 stronger than ABS As Printed?
Yes. ABS GF40 has a typical yield strength of 42 MPa (6.09 ksi) against 29 MPa (4.21 ksi) for ABS As Printed — about 45% more. Tensile strength is 110 MPa (16 ksi) vs 30 MPa (4.35 ksi).
Which grade does FabDigit quote by default, As Printed or GF40?
Specify the condition in the material field or the drawing note; FabDigit prices the quote for the state you call out.
Which is easier to machine, ABS As Printed or ABS GF40?
ABS As Printed. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (45/100) for ABS GF40; for welding the order is ABS As Printed first (very good, 78/100) then ABS GF40 (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ABS As Printed and ABS GF40 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.