Thermoplastic comparison
ABS vs Polyethylene, high-density (HDPE)
Every value below is a typical room-temperature figure with its source, test method and conditions — the same dataset that drives the calculators.
| Property | ABS | Polyethylene, high-density (HDPE) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.05 g/cm³ | 0.95 g/cm³ | ABS — 11% higher |
| Young's modulus E | 2.3 GPa | 1 GPa | ABS — 2.3× higher |
| Tensile strength | 44 MPa | 27 MPa | ABS — 63% higher |
| Glass transition Tg | 105 °C | -120 °C | ABS — 225 °C higher |
Where these numbers come from
- CAMPUS plastics database — typical grade datasheet values (campusplastics.com)
- Callister & Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering, 10th ed.
Typical room-temperature values for learning and preliminary design; grades vary widely and a supplier datasheet always overrides a textbook figure. Confirm against the datasheet before design work.