C578 Type II vs XPS 400
Polymer · grade comparison
C578 Type II and XPS 400 are both polymer grades. XPS 400 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 0.6 MPa (0.087 ksi) against 0.24 MPa (0.0348 ksi) for C578 Type II, about 150% more. In exchange, C578 Type II is the more ductile: elongation 5% versus 2.5% for XPS 400. C578 Type II is lighter (0.02 g/cm³ vs 0.04 g/cm³ for XPS 400) and XPS 400 is stiffer (0.02 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, C578 Type II welds better (fair vs poor) and C578 Type II sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than XPS 400 (standard, $$).
C578 Type IIChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
XPS 400Choose it when strength drives the design.
C578 Type II vs XPS 400: 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
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 100°C212 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 75°C167 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 25% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 85°C185 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Same in both: Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 3×10⁻⁴
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)
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 | C578 Type II | XPS 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
C578 Type II vs XPS 400 — frequently asked
Is XPS 400 stronger than C578 Type II?
Yes. XPS 400 has a typical tensile strength of 0.6 MPa (0.087 ksi) against 0.24 MPa (0.0348 ksi) for C578 Type II — about 150% more.
Which is cheaper, C578 Type II or XPS 400?
C578 Type II is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while XPS 400 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, C578 Type II or XPS 400?
C578 Type II. Its weldability rates fair (40/100) against poor (15/100) for XPS 400.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C578 Type II and XPS 400 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.