Thermoset PI vs. ABS

Thermoset PI belongs to the thermoset plastics classification, while ABS belongs to the thermoplastics. There are 11 material properties with values for both materials. Properties with values for just one material (20, in this case) are not shown.

For each property being compared, the top bar is thermoset PI and the bottom bar is ABS.

Thermoset Polyimide (PI)Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Metric UnitsUS Customary Units

Mechanical Properties

Elongation at Break, %		2.0 to 5.9
Elongation at Break, %		3.5 to 50

Flexural Modulus, GPa		3.1 to 4.8
Flexural Modulus, GPa		2.1 to 7.6

Flexural Strength, MPa		60 to 100
Flexural Strength, MPa		72 to 97

Impact Strength: Notched Izod, J/m		21 to 43
Impact Strength: Notched Izod, J/m		70 to 370

Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		37 to 81
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa		37 to 110

Thermal Properties

Heat Deflection Temperature At 1.82 MPa (264 psi), °C		370
Heat Deflection Temperature At 1.82 MPa (264 psi), °C		76 to 110

Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		38 to 54
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		81 to 95

Electrical Properties

Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		20
Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		15 to 16

Otherwise Unclassified Properties

Density, g/cm³		1.4 to 1.6
Density, g/cm³		1.0 to 1.4

Common Calculations

Strength to Weight: Axial, points		6.5 to 16
Strength to Weight: Axial, points		10 to 22

Strength to Weight: Bending, points		16 to 30
Strength to Weight: Bending, points		24 to 37