Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Plastic LCP GF30

Compare Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Plastic LCP GF30 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Aluminum 2024-T351Wrought

Plastic LCP GF30Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	324MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	469MPasourcetypical	115MPasourcetensile strength (ISO 527)
Flexural strength	not sourced	184MPasourcetypical (ISO 178)
Elongation at break	19%sourcetypical, in 4D	1.5%sourcetensile elongation (ISO 527)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	73.1GPasourcetypical	11.5GPasourcetensile modulus (ISO 527)
Density	2,770kg/m³sourcenominal	1,610kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	117kN·m/kg1.64x higher	71.4kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	26.4MN·m/kg3.69x higher	7.14MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant), all tempers	not sourced
Shear modulus	27.5GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	71.7GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,137m/s	2,673m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	120W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	0.5W/m·Ksourcehot disk (ISO 22007-2), temperature not stated
Thermal expansion	22.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	20µm/m·Ksourceflow direction (MD), mean 50-150 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	115µm growth	100µm growth15% less
Specific heat	875J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	839J/kg·KsourceASTM E1269, temperature not stated
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	49.5mm²/s134x faster	0.37mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	15,561W/m	not sourced
Melting point	502–638°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Max service temperature	not sourced	288°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (ISO 75)
Values for	2024-T4/T351, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	Sumitomo Chemical SUMIKASUPER LCP E6006L (30% glass fibre; high strength, low shrinkage); SUMIKASUPER LCP Technical Note, Version 04 / Nov. 2023, typical 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 2024-T351 stronger than Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum 2024-T351 is stronger: its yield strength is 324 MPa against tensile strength 115 MPa for Plastic LCP GF30 (2.82x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter: 1,610 kg/m³ against 2,770 kg/m³ for Aluminum 2024-T351.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum 2024-T351 is stiffer: Young's modulus 73.1 GPa against 11.5 GPa for Plastic LCP GF30, so the same part in Aluminum 2024-T351 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Plastic LCP GF30?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 2024-T351 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam; Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter for a strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 2024-T351	Plastic LCP GF30
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3.69x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	47% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	8% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.64x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	16% heavier
Strong panel or plate	3% 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 2024-T351 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum 2024-T351 conducts heat better: 120 W/m·K against 0.5 W/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic LCP GF30 expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 22.9 µm/m·K for Aluminum 2024-T351.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density