Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24

Compare Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	45MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C	220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress
Ultimate tensile strength	not sourced	290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm
Flexural strength	65MPasourcetypical, 23 °C	not sourced
Elongation at break	10%sourcenominal strain at break, 23 °C	13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.3GPasourcetypical	44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Density	1,040kg/m³sourcetypical	1,769kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight	43.3kN·m/kg	124kN·m/kg2.87x higher
Stiffness to weight	2.21MN·m/kg	25.3MN·m/kg11.5x higher
Poisson's ratio	0.39sourcetypical, ABS family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Shear modulus	0.827GPa	16.6GPa20.1x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	3.48GPa	49.8GPa
Speed of sound	1,487m/s	5,032m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.17W/m·Ksourcetypical	76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated)
Thermal expansion	80–110µm/m·Ksourcerange	26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth	134µm growth3.54x less
Specific heat	not sourced	1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	41.8mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	21.4W/m	9,159W/m429x more resistant
Max service temperature	94°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (annealed 4 h/80 °C)	149°Csourcestated application limit
Values for	INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 general-purpose injection-molding ABS, ISO typical values (TDS revision 08/01/2022)	AZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMS

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

Questions

Is Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) stronger than Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stronger: its yield strength is 220 MPa against 45 MPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) (4.89x).

Which is lighter, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter: 1,040 kg/m³ against 1,769 kg/m³ for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.

Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stiffer: Young's modulus 44.8 GPa against 2.3 GPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection), so the same part in Magnesium AZ31B-H24 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

For the same stiffness or strength: Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)	Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	11.5x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	2.59x heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	1.58x heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	2.87x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	1.69x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	30% heavier	lighter

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which conducts heat better, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).

Which expands less with temperature?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 expands less: 26.8 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density