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DAIP vs EPN

Polymer · grade comparison

DAIP and EPN are both polymer grades. EPN is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for DAIP, about 31% more. EPN is the more ductile: elongation 2% versus 0.6% for DAIP. EPN is lighter (1.21 g/cm³ vs 1.8 g/cm³ for DAIP) and DAIP is stiffer (11 GPa vs 3.3 GPa). On the shop floor, EPN machines more easily (good vs fair) and EPN sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than DAIP (high, $$$$).

DAIPChoose it when the part sees heat.

EPNChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

DAIP vs EPN: properties

DAIPEPN

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

11 GPa1.6 Msi
3.3 GPa0.48 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.36

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

55 MPa8 ksi
72 MPa10.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

0.6%
2%

Compressive Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
155 MPa22.5 ksi

Flexural Strength

105 MPa15.2 ksi
120 MPa17.4 ksi

Flexural Modulus

11.5 GPa1.7 Msi
3.4 GPa0.49 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

75 J/m1.4 ft·lbf/in
18 J/m0.34 ft·lbf/in

Shear Modulus

—
1.3 GPa0.18 Msi

Bulk Modulus

—
4 GPa0.61 Msi

Compressive Modulus

—
3.2 GPa0.46 Msi

Shear Strength

—
55 MPa8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
0.55 MPa·√m0.5 ksi·√in

Hardness, Shore D

—
88 Shore D

Same in both: Hardness, Rockwell M 108 HRM

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.8 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³
1.21 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

190°C374 °F
175°C347 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.25%
0.15%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

0.7%
1.6%

Refractive Index

—
1.59

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.42 W/m·K0.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,150 J/kg·K0.27 BTU/lb·°F
1,100 J/kg·K0.26 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

30 µm/m·K16.7 µin/in·°F
60 µm/m·K33.3 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

205°C401 °F
170°C338 °F

Min Service Temperature

-65°C-85 °F
-55°C-67 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

300°C572 °F
190°C374 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

290°C554 °F
168°C334 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

34%
23%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

260°C500 °F
220°C428 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

16 kV/mm406 V/mil
19 kV/mm483 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

4.4
3.8

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.01
0.02

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω
1×10¹⁵ Ω

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

400 V
250 V

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

85 / 100
88 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

70 / 100
22 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Weldability

3 / 100
—

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
—

Polishability

45 / 100
70 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.35%
1.2%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

105°C221 °F
100°C212 °F

Same in both: Mold Temperature (typ.) 165°C329 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb
135 MJ/kg58,040 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.5 kg CO₂/kg
6.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

31 kN·m/kg
60 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6.1 MN·m/kg
2.7 MN·m/kg

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.2 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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityDAIPEPN
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

DAIP vs EPN — frequently asked

Is EPN stronger than DAIP?

Yes. EPN has a typical tensile strength of 72 MPa (10.4 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for DAIP — about 31% more.

Which is cheaper, DAIP or EPN?

EPN is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while DAIP is high ($$$$). 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, DAIP or EPN?

EPN. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (40/100) for DAIP.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in DAIP and EPN 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.