Aluminum 1100-O vs. Plastic PMMA

Compare Aluminum 1100-O vs. Plastic PMMA strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PMMABulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	35MPasourcetypical, O, 0.0625 in specimen	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	90MPasourcetypical, O	80MPasourcetypical, 23 °C
Compressive strength	not sourced	110MPasourcecompressive yield stress, typical
Flexural strength	not sourced	115MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	35%sourcetypical, O, in 4D	5.5%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	3.3GPasourcetypical, short-term
Density	2,710kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	1,190kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	12.9kN·m/kg	67.2kN·m/kg5.21x higher
Stiffness to weight	25.5MN·m/kg9.18x higher	2.77MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.37sourcetypical
Shear modulus	not sourced	1.2GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	4.23GPa
Speed of sound	5,046m/s	1,665m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	222W/m·Ksourcetypical, O, 20 °C	0.19W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	70µm/m·Ksource0-50 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth2.97x less	350µm growth
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcebase material: commercially pure aluminium EN AW-1050A (Hydro), 20 °C	1,470J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	90.9mm²/s837x faster	0.109mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	41.5W/m
Melting point	640–655°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Max service temperature	not sourced	80°Csourcemax. permanent service temperature
Values for	1100-O (annealed) commercially pure aluminium, Kaiser Aluminum Tube & Pipe Alloy 1100 Technical Data (Rev. 05/06), typical properties; specific heat from Hydro EN AW-1050A (99.5% Al) extruded-products datasheet (10/2018).	Röhm PLEXIGLAS GS 0F00 cast acrylic sheet, typical values at 23 °C / 50 % RH (Röhm Technical Information Ref. No. 211-1)

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 1100-O stronger than Plastic PMMA?

Plastic PMMA is stronger: its tensile strength is 80 MPa against yield strength 35 MPa for Aluminum 1100-O (2.29x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 1100-O or Plastic PMMA?

Plastic PMMA is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 2,710 kg/m³ for Aluminum 1100-O.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 1100-O or Plastic PMMA?

Aluminum 1100-O is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 3.3 GPa for Plastic PMMA, so the same part in Aluminum 1100-O deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 1100-O or Plastic PMMA?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 1100-O is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic PMMA is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 1100-O	Plastic PMMA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	9.18x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.01x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	21% heavier
Strong rod or tie	5.21x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	3.95x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	3.44x 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, Aluminum 1100-O or Plastic PMMA?

Aluminum 1100-O conducts heat better: 222 W/m·K against 0.19 W/m·K for Plastic PMMA.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 1100-O expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 70 µm/m·K for Plastic PMMA.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density