FabDigitFabDigit

DAIP vs Epoxy

Polymer · grade comparison

DAIP and Epoxy are both polymer grades. Epoxy is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for DAIP, about 18% more. Epoxy is the more ductile: elongation 4% versus 0.6% for DAIP. Epoxy is lighter (1.2 g/cm³ vs 1.8 g/cm³ for DAIP) and DAIP is stiffer (11 GPa vs 3 GPa). On the shop floor, Epoxy machines more easily (good vs fair) and Epoxy sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than DAIP (high, $$$$).

DAIPChoose it when the part sees heat.

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

DAIP vs Epoxy: properties

DAIPEpoxy

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

11 GPa1.6 Msi
3 GPa0.44 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.35

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

55 MPa8 ksi
65 MPa9.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

0.6%
4%

Compressive Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Flexural Strength

105 MPa15.2 ksi
110 MPa16 ksi

Flexural Modulus

11.5 GPa1.7 Msi
3 GPa0.44 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

75 J/m1.4 ft·lbf/in
20 J/m0.37 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell M

108 HRM
100 HRM

Shear Modulus

—
1.2 GPa0.17 Msi

Bulk Modulus

—
5 GPa0.65 Msi

Compressive Modulus

—
3 GPa0.44 Msi

Shear Strength

—
45 MPa6.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
0.6 MPa·√m0.55 ksi·√in

Hardness, Shore D

—
85 Shore D

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Glass Transition (Tg)

190°C374 °F
120°C248 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.25%
0.15%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

0.7%
1.6%

Refractive Index

—
1.56

Light Transmission

—
88%

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
130°C266 °F

Min Service Temperature

-65°C-85 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

300°C572 °F
130°C266 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

290°C554 °F
110°C230 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

34%
20%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

260°C500 °F
180°C356 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

16 kV/mm406 V/mil
20 kV/mm508 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

4.4
3.6

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.01
0.02

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

400 V
300 V

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

85 / 100
82 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

70 / 100
25 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Weldability

3 / 100
0 / 100

Formability (cold)

3 / 100
5 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
75 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.35%
0.2%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

105°C221 °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
137 MJ/kg58,899 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.5 kg CO₂/kg
6.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
190 L/kg22.8 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
54 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6.1 MN·m/kg
2.5 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

CapabilityDAIPEpoxy
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

DAIP vs Epoxy — frequently asked

Is Epoxy stronger than DAIP?

Yes. Epoxy has a typical tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for DAIP — about 18% more.

Which is cheaper, DAIP or Epoxy?

Epoxy is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard 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 Epoxy?

Epoxy. 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 Epoxy 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.