ABS-Like vs General Purpose
Polyurethane · grade comparison
ABS-Like and General Purpose are both polyurethane grades, both rigid pu. ABS-Like is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for General Purpose, about 30% more. In exchange, General Purpose is the more ductile: elongation 520% versus 12% for ABS-Like, and ABS-Like is harder (82 Shore D vs 30 Shore D). ABS-Like is lighter (1.12 g/cm³ vs 1.2 g/cm³ for General Purpose) and ABS-Like is stiffer (2.2 GPa vs 0.03 GPa). On the shop floor, ABS-Like machines more easily (good vs fair) and General Purpose welds better (poor vs not recommended).
ABS-LikeChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
General PurposeChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
ABS-Like vs General Purpose: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polyurethane 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 polyurethane 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M
Hardness, Shore A
Tear Strength
Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Same in both: Water Absorption (24 h) 0.6%
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)
Min Service Temperature
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polyurethane grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | ABS-Like | General Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both are offered for Urethane casting.
ABS-Like vs General Purpose — frequently asked
Is ABS-Like stronger than General Purpose?
Yes. ABS-Like has a typical tensile strength of 52 MPa (7.54 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for General Purpose — about 30% more.
Which is cheaper, ABS-Like or General Purpose?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, ABS-Like or General Purpose?
ABS-Like. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for General Purpose; for welding the order is General Purpose first (poor, 15/100) then ABS-Like (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ABS-Like and General Purpose 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.