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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Sources3 documents: Kaiser Aluminum, UltiMaker, Eastman
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 PETG
Ultimaker PETG, 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 v1.00, April 29, 2022.
1
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
Eastar Copolyester 6763 Product Data SheetEastmanPlastic PETG · Thermal conductivity: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typicalPlastic PETG · Thermal expansion: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typicalPlastic PETG · Specific heat: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), DSC at 60 °C (lowest temperature listed)
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 PETG 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 PETG?
Plastic PETG is stronger: its yield strength is 46.2 MPa against 40 MPa for Aluminum 3003-O (16%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 3003-O or Plastic PETG?
Plastic PETG is lighter: 1,270 kg/m³ against 2,730 kg/m³ for Aluminum 3003-O.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 3003-O or Plastic PETG?
Aluminum 3003-O is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 1.94 GPa for Plastic PETG, 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 PETG?
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 PETG is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum 3003-O
Plastic PETG
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
16.6x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.78x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
1.53x heavier
Strong rod or tie
2.48x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
2.37x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
2.31x 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 PETG?
Aluminum 3003-O stretches further before it breaks: 30% elongation at break against 7.6% for Plastic PETG.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 3003-O or Plastic PETG?
Aluminum 3003-O conducts heat better: 193 W/m·K against 0.21 W/m·K for Plastic PETG.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 3003-O expands less: 23.2 µm/m·K against 51 µm/m·K for Plastic PETG.