ABS-ESD vs Formlabs High Temp
Polymer · grade comparison
ABS-ESD and High Temp are both polymer grades, both specialty plastic. High Temp is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 36 MPa (5.22 ksi) for ABS-ESD, about 39% more. High Temp is harder — 88 Shore D against 76 Shore D for ABS-ESD — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ABS-ESD is lighter (1.04 g/cm³ vs 1.19 g/cm³ for High Temp) and High Temp is stiffer (3.5 GPa vs 2.4 GPa). On the shop floor, ABS-ESD machines more easily (65 vs 55 out of 100).
ABS-ESDChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
High TempChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
ABS-ESD vs High Temp: 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, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Hardness, Rockwell M
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
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 · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
UV / Weathering Resistance
Corrosion Resistance
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.)
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 Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · 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 | High Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Standard |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | — | Yes |
| Spray Painting | — | Yes |
Both are offered for 3D printing. They share 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 High Temp — frequently asked
Is High Temp stronger than ABS-ESD?
Yes. High Temp has a typical tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 36 MPa (5.22 ksi) for ABS-ESD — about 39% more.
Which is cheaper, ABS-ESD or High Temp?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, ABS-ESD or High Temp?
ABS-ESD, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 55/100 for High Temp.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ABS-ESD and High Temp 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.