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Aluminum 7050-T7451 vs. Plastic PEEK

Compare Aluminum 7050-T7451 vs. Plastic PEEK strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Aluminum 7050-T7451Wrought
Plastic PEEKBulk polymer (molded or machined)
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Mechanical
Yield strength469MPasourcetypical, longitudinal, 0.2% offset98MPasourcetypical, tensile yield
Ultimate tensile strength524MPasourcetypical, longitudinalnot sourced
Compressive strengthnot sourced125MPasourcetypical, 23 C
Flexural strengthnot sourced165MPasourcetypical, flexural stress at yield, 23 C
Elongation at break11%sourcetypical, longitudinal25%sourcetypical, at break
Young's modulus (stiffness)70.3GPasourcetypical4GPasourcetypical (nominal)
Density2,830kg/m³sourcenominal1,300kg/m³sourcetypical (crystalline)
Strength to weight166kN·m/kg2.2x higher75.4kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight24.8MN·m/kg8.07x higher3.08MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)0.38sourcetypical
Shear modulus26.4GPa18.2x stiffer in shear1.45GPa
Bulk modulus68.9GPa5.56GPa
Speed of sound4,984m/s1,754m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity157W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C0.29W/m·Ksourcetypical, average, 23 C
Thermal expansion23.5µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C55µm/m·Ksourceaverage of flow/cross-flow, below Tg (<143 C)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing118µm growth2.34x less275µm growth
Specific heat860J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C2,200J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 23 °C, DSC (Victrex PEEK 450G TDS, revision Jul 2012)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)64.5mm²/s636x faster0.101mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance29,862W/m373x more resistant80.1W/m
Melting point524–635°Csourcemelting range343°Csourcetypical, DSC
Glass transitionnot sourced143°Csourceonset (midpoint 150 C)
Max service temperaturenot sourced240°CsourceUL 746B RTI, mechanical strength (continuous use index)
Values for7050-T7451 plate, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet (longitudinal); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5JVictrex PEEK 450G (unreinforced, injection moulded), Victrex TDS rev. March 2026; Poisson from Victrex fluid-management flyer (2020-07)

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 Aluminum 7050-T7451 stronger than Plastic PEEK?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stronger: its yield strength is 469 MPa against 98 MPa for Plastic PEEK (4.79x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Plastic PEEK?

Plastic PEEK is lighter: 1,300 kg/m³ against 2,830 kg/m³ for Aluminum 7050-T7451.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Plastic PEEK?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70.3 GPa against 4 GPa for Plastic PEEK, so the same part in Aluminum 7050-T7451 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Plastic PEEK?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 7050-T7451 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam.

Part that must beAluminum 7050-T7451Plastic PEEK
Stiff rod or tie (tension)lighter8.07x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)lighter1.93x heavier
Stiff panel or platelighter19% heavier
Strong rod or tielighter2.2x heavier
Strong beamlighter30% heavier
Strong panel or plateabout equalabout equal

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, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Plastic PEEK?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 conducts heat better: 157 W/m·K against 0.29 W/m·K for Plastic PEEK.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 expands less: 23.5 µm/m·K against 55 µm/m·K for Plastic PEEK.

Among 59 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelAluminum 7050-T7451Plastic PEEK
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickAluminum 7050-T7451Plastic PEEK
Strength against density

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