Thermoplastic comparison
Acrylic (PMMA) vs Polystyrene (GPPS)
Every value below is a typical room-temperature figure with its source, test method and conditions — the same dataset that drives the calculators.
| Property | Acrylic (PMMA) | Polystyrene (GPPS) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.19 g/cm³ | 1.05 g/cm³ | Acrylic (PMMA) — 13% higher |
| Young's modulus E | 3.1 GPa | 3.2 GPa | Polystyrene (GPPS) — 3% higher |
| Tensile strength | 72 MPa | 46 MPa | Acrylic (PMMA) — 57% higher |
| Glass transition Tg | 105 °C | 100 °C | Acrylic (PMMA) — 5 °C higher |
Where these numbers come from
- 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.