Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Plastic PBT GF30

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

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Aluminum 2024-T351Wrought

Plastic PBT 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	140MPasourcestress at break, 23 °C
Flexural strength	not sourced	210MPasourcetypical, 23 °C
Elongation at break	19%sourcetypical, in 4D	3%sourcestrain at break, 23 °C
Young's modulus (stiffness)	73.1GPasourcetypical	9.8GPasourcetypical, 23 °C
Density	2,770kg/m³sourcenominal	1,530kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	117kN·m/kg28% higher	91.5kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	26.4MN·m/kg4.12x higher	6.41MN·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	2,531m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	120W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	0.27W/m·Ksourcetypical (DIN 52612-1)
Thermal expansion	22.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	25µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal (flow), mean 23-55 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	115µm growth9% less	125µm growth
Specific heat	875J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	1,050J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 23 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	49.5mm²/s295x faster	0.168mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	15,561W/m	not sourced
Melting point	502–638°Csourcemelting range	223°CsourceDSC (ISO 11357)
Max service temperature	not sourced	205°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa
Values for	2024-T4/T351, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	BASF Ultradur B 4300 G6 (PBT, 30% glass fibre), injection moulding grade; product information sheet 09/2026, typical values for uncoloured product at 23 °C.

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 PBT GF30?

Aluminum 2024-T351 is stronger: its yield strength is 324 MPa against tensile strength 140 MPa for Plastic PBT GF30 (2.31x).

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

Plastic PBT GF30 is lighter: 1,530 kg/m³ against 2,770 kg/m³ for Aluminum 2024-T351.

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

Aluminum 2024-T351 is stiffer: Young's modulus 73.1 GPa against 9.8 GPa for Plastic PBT 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 PBT 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; Plastic PBT GF30 is lighter for a strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 2024-T351	Plastic PBT GF30
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	4.12x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.51x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	8% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	28% heavier
Strong beam	3% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	19% 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 PBT GF30?

Aluminum 2024-T351 conducts heat better: 120 W/m·K against 0.27 W/m·K for Plastic PBT GF30.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 2024-T351 expands less: 22.9 µm/m·K against 25 µm/m·K for Plastic PBT GF30.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density