Alumide vs Formlabs High Temp
Polymer · grade comparison
Alumide and High Temp are both polymer grades, both specialty plastic. Alumide is the more ductile: elongation 3.5% versus 2.8% for High Temp, and High Temp is harder (88 Shore D vs 76 Shore D). High Temp is lighter (1.19 g/cm³ vs 1.36 g/cm³ for Alumide) and Alumide is stiffer (3.8 GPa vs 3.5 GPa). On the shop floor, Alumide sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than High Temp (premium, $$$).
AlumideChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
High TempChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
Alumide 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Hardness, Rockwell M
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.38
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
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)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
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
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
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
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: 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 | Alumide | High Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| Default condition | Standard | Standard |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ 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.
Alumide vs High Temp — frequently asked
What is the difference between Alumide and High Temp?
Alumide and High Temp are both polymer grades, both specialty plastic. Alumide is the more ductile: elongation 3.5% versus 2.8% for High Temp, and High Temp is harder (88 Shore D vs 76 Shore D). High Temp is lighter (1.19 g/cm³ vs 1.36 g/cm³ for Alumide) and Alumide is stiffer (3.8 GPa vs 3.5 GPa).
Which is cheaper, Alumide or High Temp?
Alumide is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while High Temp is premium ($$$). 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, Alumide or High Temp?
Alumide, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 60/100 against 55/100 for High Temp.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alumide 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.