Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources4 documents: Kaiser Aluminum, UltiMaker, Covestro, INEOS Styrolution
Aluminum 3003-O
3003-O (annealed) aluminium-manganese alloy, the heat-exchanger tube and brazing alloy, Kaiser Aluminum Tube & Pipe Alloy 3003 Technical Data (Rev. 05/06), typical properties; specific heat from the NIST cryogenic 3003-F fit at 293 K.
Plastic ABS
Ultimaker ABS, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS v5.00, April 20, 2022.
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Alloy 3003 Tube & Pipe Technical Data, Rev. 05/06Kaiser Aluminumarchived copyAluminum 3003-O · Yield strength: typical, O, 0.0625 in specimenAluminum 3003-O · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, OAluminum 3003-O · Elongation at break: typical, O, in 4DAluminum 3003-O · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalAluminum 3003-O · Density: nominal, 20 °CAluminum 3003-O · Thermal conductivity: typical, O, 20 °CAluminum 3003-O · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CAluminum 3003-O · Melting point: melting range
Engineering Polymers Part and Mold Design: Thermoplastics, A Design GuideCovestroarchived copyPlastic ABS · Poisson's ratio: base material: ABS family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
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Terluran GP-22 (ABS) Product Data SheetINEOS StyrolutionPlastic ABS · Thermal conductivity: base material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typicalPlastic ABS · Thermal expansion: base material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Plastic ABS is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Aluminum 3003-O stronger than Plastic ABS?
Aluminum 3003-O is stronger: its yield strength is 40 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (5%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 3003-O or Plastic ABS?
Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 2,730 kg/m³ for Aluminum 3003-O.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 3003-O or Plastic ABS?
Aluminum 3003-O is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in Aluminum 3003-O deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 3003-O or Plastic ABS?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 3003-O is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic ABS is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum 3003-O
Plastic ABS
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
14.2x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.39x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
32% heavier
Strong rod or tie
2.36x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
2.4x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
2.42x 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 is more ductile, Aluminum 3003-O or Plastic ABS?
Aluminum 3003-O stretches further before it breaks: 30% elongation at break against 4.6% for Plastic ABS.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 3003-O or Plastic ABS?
Aluminum 3003-O conducts heat better: 193 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 3003-O expands less: 23.2 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS.