Digital ABS vs Elastico
Polymer · grade comparison
Digital ABS and Elastico are both polymer grades. Digital ABS is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.392 ksi) for Elastico, about 21 times as much. In exchange, Elastico is the more ductile: elongation 245% versus 30% for Digital ABS. Digital ABS is stiffer (2.8 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, Digital ABS machines more easily (good vs poor) and Elastico sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Digital ABS (specialty, $$$$$).
Digital ABSChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
ElasticoChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Digital ABS vs Elastico: 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)
Elongation at Break
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 50°C122 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Volume Resistivity
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
Polishability
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
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 | Digital ABS | Elastico |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Standard | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Conductive Coating | Yes | — |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | Yes | — |
| EMI Shielding Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Primer Coating | Yes | — |
| Soft Touch Coating | Yes | — |
| Tinted Coating | Yes | — |
| UV Coating | Yes | — |
| Vacuum Metallization | Yes | — |
| Waterproof Coating | Yes | — |
Digital ABS vs Elastico — frequently asked
Is Digital ABS stronger than Elastico?
Yes. Digital ABS has a typical tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.392 ksi) for Elastico — about 21 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Digital ABS or Elastico?
Elastico is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Digital ABS is specialty ($$$$$). 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, Digital ABS or Elastico?
Digital ABS. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (15/100) for Elastico.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Digital ABS and Elastico 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.