EBA vs EMAA
Polymer · grade comparison
EBA and EMAA are both polymer grades. EMAA is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) for EBA, about 3.8 times as much. In exchange, EBA is the more ductile: elongation 700% versus 400% for EMAA, and EMAA is harder (55 Shore D vs 33 Shore D). EMAA is stiffer (0.2 GPa vs 0.05 GPa) and EBA runs hotter in service (70°C vs 60°C continuous). On the shop floor, EMAA machines more easily (30 vs 15 out of 100) and EBA sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than EMAA (premium, $$$).
EBAChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
EMAAChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
EBA vs EMAA: 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 Modulus
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Same in both: Melting Temperature (Tm) 95°C203 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Dielectric Strength 25 kV/mm635 V/mil
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
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Weldability 92 / 100 · Mold Shrinkage 2% · Mold Temperature (typ.) 30°C86 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 82 MJ/kg35,254 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 110 L/kg13.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | EBA | EMAA |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
EBA vs EMAA — frequently asked
Is EMAA stronger than EBA?
Yes. EMAA has a typical tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) for EBA — about 3.8 times as much.
Which is cheaper, EBA or EMAA?
EBA is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while EMAA is premium ($$$). 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, EBA or EMAA?
EMAA, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 15/100 for EBA.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in EBA and EMAA 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.