SMC vs UP
Polymer · grade comparison
SMC and UP are both polymer grades. SMC is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for UP, about 36% more. In exchange, UP is the more ductile: elongation 2% versus 1.5% for SMC. UP is lighter (1.2 g/cm³ vs 1.85 g/cm³ for SMC) and SMC is stiffer (11 GPa vs 3.4 GPa). On the shop floor, UP machines more easily (good vs poor) and UP sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than SMC (standard, $$).
SMCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
UPChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
SMC vs UP: 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
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell M
Bulk Modulus
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
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)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Same in both: Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.02 · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
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
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Weldability 5 / 100 · Formability (cold) 5 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 180 L/kg21.6 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 | SMC | UP |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
SMC vs UP — frequently asked
Is SMC stronger than UP?
Yes. SMC has a typical tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) for UP — about 36% more.
Which is cheaper, SMC or UP?
UP is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while SMC is standard ($$). 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, SMC or UP?
UP. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against poor (30/100) for SMC.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SMC and UP 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.