Digital ABS vs RGD525
Polymer · grade comparison
Digital ABS and RGD525 are both polymer grades. RGD525 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) for Digital ABS, about 32% more. In exchange, Digital ABS is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 12% for RGD525. RGD525 is stiffer (3.4 GPa vs 2.8 GPa) and RGD525 runs hotter in service (55°C vs 50°C continuous). On the shop floor, Digital ABS welds better (poor vs not recommended) and RGD525 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Digital ABS (specialty, $$$$$).
Digital ABSChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
RGD525Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Digital ABS vs RGD525: 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
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell R
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Same in both: Density 1.18 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³ · Water Absorption (24 h) 1.7%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
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
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
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 | RGD525 |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Standard | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Conductive Coating | Yes | — |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | Yes | — |
| EMI Shielding Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Primer Coating | Yes | — |
| Soft Touch Coating | Yes | — |
| Tinted Coating | Yes | — |
| UV Coating | Yes | — |
| Vacuum Metallization | Yes | — |
| Waterproof Coating | Yes | — |
Digital ABS vs RGD525 — frequently asked
Is RGD525 stronger than Digital ABS?
Yes. RGD525 has a typical tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) for Digital ABS — about 32% more.
Which is cheaper, Digital ABS or RGD525?
RGD525 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Digital ABS is specialty ($$$$$). 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 RGD525?
Digital ABS. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (50/100) for RGD525; for welding the order is Digital ABS first (poor, 15/100) then RGD525 (not recommended, 0/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Digital ABS and RGD525 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.