Aluminum 1100-O vs. Plastic UHMWPE

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

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Plastic UHMWPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	35MPasourcetypical, O, 0.0625 in specimen	20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Ultimate tensile strength	90MPasourcetypical, O	43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Elongation at break	35%sourcetypical, O, in 4D	465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min
Density	2,710kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	930kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	12.9kN·m/kg	21.5kN·m/kg1.67x higher
Stiffness to weight	25.5MN·m/kg35.9x higher	0.71MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	not sourced
Shear modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Bulk modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,046m/s	842m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	222W/m·Ksourcetypical, O, 20 °C	0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE)
Thermal expansion	23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth8.47x less	1,000µm growth
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcebase material: commercially pure aluminium EN AW-1050A (Hydro), 20 °C	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	90.9mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Melting point	640–655°Csourcemelting range	130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min
Max service temperature	not sourced	80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating 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).	Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named)

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 UHMWPE?

Aluminum 1100-O is stronger: its yield strength is 35 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (1.75x).

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

Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 2,710 kg/m³ for Aluminum 1100-O.

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

Aluminum 1100-O is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, 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 UHMWPE?

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 UHMWPE is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 1100-O	Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	35.9x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	3.51x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.62x heavier
Strong rod or tie	1.67x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	2.01x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	2.2x 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 UHMWPE?

Aluminum 1100-O conducts heat better: 222 W/m·K against 0.4 W/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 1100-O expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density