Aluminum 7050-T7451 vs. Plastic Polypropylene

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

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Plastic PolypropyleneBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	469MPasourcetypical, longitudinal, 0.2% offset	33MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527
Ultimate tensile strength	524MPasourcetypical, longitudinal	not sourced
Elongation at break	11%sourcetypical, longitudinal	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	70.3GPasourcetypical	1.45GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527
Density	2,830kg/m³sourcenominal	900kg/m³sourcetypical, 23 °C ISO 1183-1
Strength to weight	166kN·m/kg4.52x higher	36.7kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	24.8MN·m/kg15.4x higher	1.61MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)	0.42sourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)
Shear modulus	26.4GPa51.8x stiffer in shear	0.511GPa
Bulk modulus	68.9GPa	3.02GPa
Speed of sound	4,984m/s	1,269m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	157W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	0.17–0.22W/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)
Thermal expansion	23.5µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	80–100µm/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth3.83x less	450µm growth
Specific heat	860J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	64.5mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	29,862W/m1,044x more resistant	28.6W/m
Melting point	524–635°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Max service temperature	not sourced	90°CsourceHDT 0.45 MPa (ISO 75B), unannealed
Values for	7050-T7451 plate, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet (longitudinal); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	LyondellBasell Moplen HP501H polypropylene homopolymer (general purpose), typical ISO values

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 Polypropylene?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stronger: its yield strength is 469 MPa against 33 MPa for Plastic Polypropylene (14.2x).

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

Plastic Polypropylene is lighter: 900 kg/m³ against 2,830 kg/m³ for Aluminum 7050-T7451.

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

Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70.3 GPa against 1.45 GPa for Plastic Polypropylene, 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 Polypropylene?

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, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 7050-T7451	Plastic Polypropylene
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	15.4x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.21x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	16% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	4.52x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.87x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	20% heavier

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 Polypropylene?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 conducts heat better: 157 W/m·K against 0.195 W/m·K for Plastic Polypropylene.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 expands less: 23.5 µm/m·K against 90 µm/m·K for Plastic Polypropylene.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density