EMA vs EMAA
Polymer · grade comparison
EMA and EMAA are both polymer grades. EMAA is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.23 ksi) for EMA, about 3.5 times as much. In exchange, EMA is the more ductile: elongation 750% versus 400% for EMAA, and EMAA is harder (55 Shore D vs 30 Shore D). EMAA is stiffer (0.2 GPa vs 0.02 GPa). On the shop floor, EMAA machines more easily (30 vs 20 out of 100) and EMA sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than EMAA (premium, $$$).
EMAChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
EMAAChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
EMA 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
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore A
Hardness, Shore D
Tear Strength
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Same in both: Light Transmission 88%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 60°C140 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.015 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
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.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Weldability 92 / 100 · Mold Shrinkage 2%
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)
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | EMA | EMAA |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
EMA vs EMAA — frequently asked
Is EMAA stronger than EMA?
Yes. EMAA has a typical tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.23 ksi) for EMA — about 3.5 times as much.
Which is cheaper, EMA or EMAA?
EMA 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, EMA or EMAA?
EMAA, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 20/100 for EMA.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in EMA 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.