Aluminum 7050-T7451 vs. Plastic PPS GF40

Compare Aluminum 7050-T7451 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	469MPasourcetypical, longitudinal, 0.2% offset	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	524MPasourcetypical, longitudinal	195MPasourcetensile strength, 5 mm/min
Flexural strength	not sourced	285MPasourceflexural strength at break
Elongation at break	11%sourcetypical, longitudinal	1.9%sourcestrain at break, 5 mm/min
Young's modulus (stiffness)	70.3GPasourcetypical	14.7GPasourcetypical, 1 mm/min
Density	2,830kg/m³sourcenominal	1,650kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	166kN·m/kg40% higher	118kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	24.8MN·m/kg2.79x 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	26.4GPa4.85x stiffer in shear	5.44GPa
Bulk modulus	68.9GPa	16.3GPa
Speed of sound	4,984m/s	2,985m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	157W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	0.2W/m·Ksource40% glass-reinforced Fortron, 25 °C (not grade-specific)
Thermal expansion	23.5µm/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 growth1.96x less
Specific heat	860J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	64.5mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	29,862W/m208x more resistant	144W/m
Melting point	524–635°Csourcemelting range	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	7050-T7451 plate, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet (longitudinal); 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 7050-T7451 stronger than Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stronger: its yield strength is 469 MPa against tensile strength 195 MPa for Plastic PPS GF40 (2.41x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Plastic PPS GF40?

Plastic PPS GF40 is lighter: 1,650 kg/m³ against 2,830 kg/m³ for Aluminum 7050-T7451.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70.3 GPa against 14.7 GPa for Plastic PPS GF40, so the same part in Aluminum 7050-T7451 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Plastic PPS GF40?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 7050-T7451 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie, strong beam; Plastic PPS GF40 is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 7050-T7451	Plastic PPS GF40
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	2.79x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	28% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	2% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	40% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	5% heavier
Strong panel or plate	11% 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 7050-T7451 or Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 conducts heat better: 157 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 23.5 µm/m·K for Aluminum 7050-T7451.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density