Materials / Compare
Plastic ABS vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Compare Plastic ABS vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 38.1MPasourcetypical | 220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 38.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | 290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm |
| Flexural strength | 61.1MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 4.6%sourcetypical | 13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 1.96GPasourcetypical | 44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant) |
| Density | 1,100kg/m³sourcetypical | 1,769kg/m³sourcenominal |
| Strength to weight | 34.6kN·m/kg | 124kN·m/kg3.59x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 1.78MN·m/kg | 25.3MN·m/kg14.2x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.39sourcebase material: ABS family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1) | 0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) |
| Shear modulus | 0.706GPa | 16.6GPa23.5x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 2.97GPa | 49.8GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,336m/s | 5,032m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typical | 76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated) |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range | 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 | 21.2W/m | 9,159W/m432x more resistant |
| Glass transition | 101°Csourcetypical | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | 86.6°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) | 149°Csourcestated application limit |
| Values for | Ultimaker ABS, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS v5.00, April 20, 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.
Plastic ABS is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Plastic ABS stronger than Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stronger: its yield strength is 220 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (5.77x).
Which is lighter, Plastic ABS or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 1,769 kg/m³ for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.
Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stiffer: Young's modulus 44.8 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in Magnesium AZ31B-H24 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS 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 | Magnesium AZ31B-H24 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 14.2x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 2.97x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 1.76x heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 3.59x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 2x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 49% 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 or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 expands less: 26.8 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS.