FabDigitFabDigit

JIS A9511 EPS vs XPS 500

Polymer · grade comparison

JIS A9511 EPS and XPS 500 are both polymer grades. XPS 500 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi) against 0.2 MPa (0.029 ksi) for JIS A9511 EPS, about 175% more. XPS 500 is the more ductile: elongation 3% versus 1.5% for JIS A9511 EPS. JIS A9511 EPS is lighter (0.02 g/cm³ vs 0.05 g/cm³ for XPS 500) and XPS 500 is stiffer (0.03 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, JIS A9511 EPS welds better (poor vs not recommended).

JIS A9511 EPSChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when it will be welded.

XPS 500Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

JIS A9511 EPS vs XPS 500: properties

JIS A9511 EPSXPS 500

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

0.01 GPa7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi
0.03 GPa0 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.1
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

0.2 MPa0.03 ksi
0.55 MPa0.08 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

0.18 MPa0.03 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

1.5%
3%

Compressive Strength

0.08 MPa0.01 ksi
0.6 MPa0.09 ksi

Compressive Modulus

0 GPa6.53×10⁻⁴ Msi
0.02 GPa0 Msi

Flexural Strength

0.15 MPa0.02 ksi
0.75 MPa0.11 ksi

Flexural Modulus

0.01 GPa7.98×10⁻⁴ Msi
0.02 GPa0 Msi

Shear Strength

0.1 MPa0.01 ksi
0.3 MPa0.04 ksi

Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)

4%
5%

Hardness, Shore D

—
25 Shore D

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

0.02 g/cm³7.23×10⁻⁴ lb/in³
0.05 g/cm³0 lb/in³

Water Absorption (24 h)

1.5%
0.2%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

4%
0.8%

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

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.04 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

Min Service Temperature

-80°C-112 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

98°C208 °F
100°C212 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

18%
28%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

85°C185 °F
90°C194 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,400 J/kg·K0.33 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 75°C167 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

1.04
1.15

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

2×10⁻⁴
—

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
85 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

15 / 100
20 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

90 / 100
88 / 100

Weldability

30 / 100
10 / 100

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
15 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.45%
—

Mold Temperature (typ.)

115°C239 °F
—

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

—
190°C374 °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)

3.6 kg CO₂/kg
7.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

165 L/kg19.8 gal/lb
130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

5%
10%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

10 kN·m/kg
11 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

0.3 MN·m/kg
0.5 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

1.4 mm²/s
0.4 mm²/s

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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleJIS A9511 EPS

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityJIS A9511 EPSXPS 500
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

JIS A9511 EPS vs XPS 500 — frequently asked

Is XPS 500 stronger than JIS A9511 EPS?

Yes. XPS 500 has a typical tensile strength of 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi) against 0.2 MPa (0.029 ksi) for JIS A9511 EPS — about 175% more.

Which is cheaper, JIS A9511 EPS or XPS 500?

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, JIS A9511 EPS or XPS 500?

JIS A9511 EPS. Its weldability rates poor (30/100) against not recommended (10/100) for XPS 500.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in JIS A9511 EPS and XPS 500 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.