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EPS 200 vs XPS 400

Polymer · grade comparison

EPS 200 and XPS 400 are both polymer grades. XPS 400 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 0.6 MPa (0.087 ksi) against 0.45 MPa (0.0653 ksi) for EPS 200, about 33% more. In exchange, EPS 200 is the more ductile: elongation 5% versus 2.5% for XPS 400. EPS 200 is lighter (0.03 g/cm³ vs 0.04 g/cm³ for XPS 400) and XPS 400 is stiffer (0.02 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, EPS 200 welds better (30 vs 15 out of 100).

EPS 200Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

XPS 400Choose it when strength drives the design.

EPS 200 vs XPS 400: properties

EPS 200XPS 400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

0.01 GPa0 Msi
0.02 GPa0 Msi

Shear Modulus

0 GPa6.09×10⁻⁴ Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.12
0.25

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

0.45 MPa0.07 ksi
0.6 MPa0.09 ksi

Elongation at Break

5%
2.5%

Compressive Strength

0.22 MPa0.03 ksi
0.42 MPa0.06 ksi

Compressive Modulus

0.01 GPa0 Msi
0.02 GPa0 Msi

Flexural Strength

0.3 MPa0.04 ksi
0.75 MPa0.11 ksi

Flexural Modulus

0.01 GPa0 Msi
0.02 GPa0 Msi

Shear Strength

0.16 MPa0.02 ksi
0.28 MPa0.04 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
0.4 MPa0.06 ksi

Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)

—
2%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

0.03 g/cm³0 lb/in³
0.04 g/cm³0 lb/in³

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.8%
0.2%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

2%
0.5%

Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 100°C212 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.03 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.03 W/m·K0.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

65 µm/m·K36.1 µin/in·°F
70 µm/m·K38.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

80°C176 °F
75°C167 °F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

100°C212 °F
85°C185 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,450 J/kg·K0.35 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 98°C208 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 25%

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in
1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

1.05
1.08

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω
—

Same in both: Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 3×10⁻⁴

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

85 / 100
70 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

20 / 100
15 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

90 / 100
92 / 100

Weldability

30 / 100
15 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
10 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

1%
—

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

—
205°C401 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb
100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

160 L/kg19.2 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

8%
10%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

0.3 MN·m/kg
0.4 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.7 mm²/s
0.5 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 14 kN·m/kg · 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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleXPS 400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityEPS 200XPS 400
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

EPS 200 vs XPS 400 — frequently asked

Is XPS 400 stronger than EPS 200?

Yes. XPS 400 has a typical tensile strength of 0.6 MPa (0.087 ksi) against 0.45 MPa (0.0653 ksi) for EPS 200 — about 33% more.

Which is cheaper, EPS 200 or XPS 400?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, EPS 200 or XPS 400?

EPS 200. Its weldability rates poor (30/100) against poor (15/100) for XPS 400.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in EPS 200 and XPS 400 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.