Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic PPS GF40

Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. Plastic PPS GF40 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PPS GF40Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	310MPasourcetypical	195MPasourcetensile strength, 5 mm/min
Flexural strength	not sourced	285MPasourceflexural strength at break
Elongation at break	17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen	1.9%sourcestrain at break, 5 mm/min
Young's modulus (stiffness)	68.3GPasourcetypical	14.7GPasourcetypical, 1 mm/min
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal	1,650kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	102kN·m/kg	118kN·m/kg16% higher
Stiffness to weight	25.3MN·m/kg2.84x higher	8.91MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)	0.35sourceglass-reinforced Fortron PPS (class value, not grade-specific)
Shear modulus	25.7GPa4.72x stiffer in shear	5.44GPa
Bulk modulus	67GPa	16.3GPa
Speed of sound	5,030m/s	2,985m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	0.2W/m·Ksource40% glass-reinforced Fortron, 25 °C (not grade-specific)
Thermal expansion	23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	12µm/m·Ksourceparallel (flow), mean -50 to 90 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth	60µm growth1.97x less
Specific heat	896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	69mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	19,159W/m133x more resistant	144W/m
Melting point	582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus	280°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min
Glass transition	not sourced	90°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min
Max service temperature	not sourced	270°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa
Values for	6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	Celanese Fortron 1140L4 (PPS, 40% glass fibre), injection moulding; FORTRON PPS Short-Term Properties Guide (PPS-012, 2016); thermal conductivity and Poisson for 40% glass-reinforced Fortron from the Fortron PPS Design Manual (PPS-050, 2013).

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 6061-T6 stronger than Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against tensile strength 195 MPa for Plastic PPS GF40 (42%).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic PPS GF40?

Plastic PPS GF40 is lighter: 1,650 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum 6061-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 68.3 GPa against 14.7 GPa for Plastic PPS GF40, so the same part in Aluminum 6061-T6 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or Plastic PPS GF40?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic PPS GF40 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 6061-T6	Plastic PPS GF40
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	2.84x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	32% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2% heavier
Strong rod or tie	16% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	30% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	38% 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 6061-T6 or Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for Plastic PPS GF40.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic PPS GF40 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density