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PMMA-GP vs PMMA-HR

Polymer · grade comparison

PMMA-GP and PMMA-HR are both polymer grades. Both yield at about 70 MPa — strength does not separate them. PMMA-GP is the more ductile: elongation 4.5% versus 3.5% for PMMA-HR. PMMA-HR runs hotter in service (95°C vs 75°C continuous). On the shop floor, PMMA-GP welds better (65 vs 55 out of 100).

PMMA-GPChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

PMMA-HRChoose it when the part sees heat.

PMMA-GP vs PMMA-HR: properties

PMMA-GPPMMA-HR

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

3.2 GPa0.46 Msi
3.3 GPa0.48 Msi

Shear Modulus

1.2 GPa0.17 Msi
1.2 GPa0.17 Msi

Bulk Modulus

5 GPa0.73 Msi
5 GPa0.77 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

72 MPa10.4 ksi
74 MPa10.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

70 MPa10.2 ksi
72 MPa10.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

4.5%
3.5%

Compressive Strength

110 MPa16 ksi
115 MPa16.7 ksi

Compressive Modulus

3.1 GPa0.45 Msi
3 GPa0.44 Msi

Flexural Strength

105 MPa15.2 ksi
115 MPa16.7 ksi

Flexural Modulus

3.2 GPa0.46 Msi
3.3 GPa0.48 Msi

Shear Strength

60 MPa8.7 ksi
58 MPa8.4 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

1.2 MPa·√m1.1 ksi·√in
1.1 MPa·√m1 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

18 J/m0.34 ft·lbf/in
17 J/m0.32 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell M

95 HRM
97 HRM

Hardness, Rockwell R

125 HRR
—

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.38 · Hardness, Shore D 90 Shore D

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Glass Transition (Tg)

105°C221 °F
125°C257 °F

Refractive Index

1.491
1.492

Same in both: Density 1.19 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³ · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.3% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 2% · Light Transmission 92%

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

70 µm/m·K38.9 µin/in·°F
68 µm/m·K37.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

75°C167 °F
95°C203 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

98°C208 °F
112°C234 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

92°C198 °F
103°C217 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

108°C226 °F
120°C248 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

18%
18%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

90°C194 °F
115°C239 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.19 W/m·K0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 1,470 J/kg·K0.35 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

2.7
2.8

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 25 kV/mm635 V/mil · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.02 · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
78 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

95 / 100
92 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

75 / 100
68 / 100

Weldability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

98 / 100
96 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.5%
0.45%

Melt Flow Rate

3 g/10 min
1.8 g/10 min

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

240°C464 °F
255°C491 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

70°C158 °F
85°C185 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb
103 MJ/kg44,282 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6 kg CO₂/kg
6.3 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

61 kN·m/kg
62 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.7 MN·m/kg
2.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

766 kJ/m³
785 kJ/m³

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.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePMMA-GPPMMA-HR

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPMMA-GPPMMA-HR
Default condition——
Relative cost$$ Standard$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

PMMA-GP vs PMMA-HR — frequently asked

What is the difference between PMMA-GP and PMMA-HR?

PMMA-GP and PMMA-HR are both polymer grades. Both yield at about 70 MPa — strength does not separate them. PMMA-GP is the more ductile: elongation 4.5% versus 3.5% for PMMA-HR.

Which is cheaper, PMMA-GP or PMMA-HR?

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 is easier to machine, PMMA-GP or PMMA-HR?

PMMA-GP. Its machinability rates very good (75/100) against good (68/100) for PMMA-HR; for welding the order is PMMA-GP first (good, 65/100) then PMMA-HR (good, 55/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PMMA-GP and PMMA-HR 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.