Comparison

HDPE vs ABS

A side-by-side comparison of High-Density Polyethylene and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.

Property

HDPE

ABS

Physical

Density

0.95 g/cm³

1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

< 0.01 %

0.20 – 0.45 %

Transparency

Translucent to opaque

Opaque

Shrinkage

1.5 – 3.0 %

0.4 – 0.9 %

Specific Gravity

—

1.05

Surface Finish

—

Matte to glossy

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

1.1 GPa

1.8 – 2.5 GPa

Tensile Strength

25 – 35 MPa

40 – 50 MPa

Impact Strength

No break

—

Elongation at Break

500 – 1000 %

10 – 50 %

Flexural Strength

—

60 – 80 MPa

Impact Strength (Izod)

—

200 – 400 J/m

Hardness (Rockwell R)

—

100 – 115

Thermal

Melting Point

130 °C

Amorphous (no true Tm)

Continuous Service Temperature

80 °C

70 – 90 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

75 °C

85 – 100 °C

Glass Transition Temperature

—

105 °C

Thermal Conductivity

—

0.17 W/m·K

CTE

—

80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

2.3

2.7 – 3.2

Volume Resistivity

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

—

10¹⁵ Ω

Dielectric Strength

—

15 – 20 kV/mm

Chemical resistance

Acids

Excellent

—

Bases

Excellent

Good

Alcohols

Excellent

Good

Oils

Good

—

UV Resistance

Poor unless stabilized

Poor (unless stabilized)

Acids (dilute)

—

Good

Oils & Greases

—

Fair

Gasoline

—

Poor

Acetone

—

Attacks / dissolves

Weathering

—

Poor without stabilizers

Sustainability

Recyclability

Widely recycled

Recyclable (mechanical)

Recycling Code

7 (Other)

Bio-based Content

0 – 100 %

0 %

Carbon Footprint

~1.9 kg CO₂e / kg

~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg