XPS 300 vs XPS 500
Polymer · grade comparison
XPS 300 and XPS 500 are both polymer grades. XPS 500 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi) against 0.45 MPa (0.0653 ksi) for XPS 300, about 22% more. XPS 300 is lighter (0.04 g/cm³ vs 0.05 g/cm³ for XPS 500) and XPS 500 is stiffer (0.03 GPa vs 0.02 GPa).
XPS 300Choose it when weight is the constraint.
XPS 500Choose it when strength drives the design.
XPS 300 vs XPS 500: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Hardness, Shore D
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Elongation at Break 3%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 100°C212 °F · Water Absorption (24 h) 0.2%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 70 µm/m·K38.9 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 75°C167 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
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).
UV / Weathering Resistance
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 85 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Processing Melt Temperature (typ.) 190°C374 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | XPS 300 | XPS 500 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
XPS 300 vs XPS 500 — frequently asked
Is XPS 500 stronger than XPS 300?
Yes. XPS 500 has a typical tensile strength of 0.55 MPa (0.0798 ksi) against 0.45 MPa (0.0653 ksi) for XPS 300 — about 22% more.
Which is cheaper, XPS 300 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, XPS 300 or XPS 500?
XPS 300. Its weldability rates poor (15/100) against not recommended (10/100) for XPS 500.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in XPS 300 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.