ABS-ESD vs Alumide
Polymer · grade comparison
ABS-ESD and Alumide are both polymer grades, both specialty plastic. Alumide is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) against 36 MPa (5.22 ksi) for ABS-ESD, about 33% more. Alumide is the more ductile: elongation 3.5% versus 3% for ABS-ESD. ABS-ESD is lighter (1.04 g/cm³ vs 1.36 g/cm³ for Alumide) and Alumide is stiffer (3.8 GPa vs 2.4 GPa). On the shop floor, ABS-ESD welds better (good vs poor) and Alumide sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than ABS-ESD (premium, $$$).
ABS-ESDChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when it will be welded.
AlumideChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
ABS-ESD vs Alumide: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Hardness, Shore D 76 Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
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)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,400 J/kg·K0.33 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 45 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Formability (cold)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 35 kN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | ABS-ESD | Alumide |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | Standard |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both are offered for 3D printing. Both take the same 10 finishes: Conductive Coating, Dyeing (Nylon), EMI Shielding Coating, Painting, Primer Coating, Soft Touch Coating, Tinted Coating, UV Coating, Vacuum Metallization, Waterproof Coating.
ABS-ESD vs Alumide — frequently asked
Is Alumide stronger than ABS-ESD?
Yes. Alumide has a typical tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) against 36 MPa (5.22 ksi) for ABS-ESD — about 33% more.
Which is cheaper, ABS-ESD or Alumide?
Alumide is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while ABS-ESD is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, ABS-ESD or Alumide?
ABS-ESD, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 60/100 for Alumide; for welding the order is ABS-ESD first (good, 60/100) then Alumide (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ABS-ESD and Alumide 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.