Digital ABS vs VisiJet M3 Crystal
Polymer · grade comparison
Digital ABS and VisiJet M3 Crystal are both polymer grades. Digital ABS is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) against 42 MPa (6.15 ksi) for VisiJet M3 Crystal, about 34% more. Digital ABS is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 6.8% for VisiJet M3 Crystal. VisiJet M3 Crystal is lighter (1.02 g/cm³ vs 1.18 g/cm³ for Digital ABS) and Digital ABS is stiffer (2.8 GPa vs 1.5 GPa). On the shop floor, VisiJet M3 Crystal sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Digital ABS (specialty, $$$$$).
Digital ABSChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
VisiJet M3 CrystalChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Digital ABS vs VisiJet M3 Crystal: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell M
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.38 · Hardness, Shore D 86 Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 50°C122 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
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.
Weldability
Polishability
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Machinability 55 / 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 | VisiJet M3 Crystal |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Standard | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Conductive Coating | Yes | — |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | Yes | — |
| EMI Shielding Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Primer Coating | Yes | — |
| Soft Touch Coating | Yes | — |
| Tinted Coating | Yes | — |
| UV Coating | Yes | — |
| Vacuum Metallization | Yes | — |
| Waterproof Coating | Yes | — |
Digital ABS vs VisiJet M3 Crystal — frequently asked
Is Digital ABS stronger than VisiJet M3 Crystal?
Yes. Digital ABS has a typical tensile strength of 57 MPa (8.27 ksi) against 42 MPa (6.15 ksi) for VisiJet M3 Crystal — about 34% more.
Which is cheaper, Digital ABS or VisiJet M3 Crystal?
VisiJet M3 Crystal is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Digital ABS is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose Digital ABS over VisiJet M3 Crystal?
Pick Digital ABS when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick VisiJet M3 Crystal when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Digital ABS and VisiJet M3 Crystal 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.