Aluminum 7075-T6 vs. Plastic PPS GF40

Compare Aluminum 7075-T6 vs. Plastic PPS GF40 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Change either side

Plastic PPS GF40Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser	Open in LessCAD	Open in LessCAD
Yield strength	503MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	572MPasourcetypical	195MPasourcetensile strength, 5 mm/min
Flexural strength	not sourced	285MPasourceflexural strength at break
Elongation at break	11%sourcetypical, in 4D	1.9%sourcestrain at break, 5 mm/min
Young's modulus (stiffness)	71GPasourcetypical	14.7GPasourcetypical, 1 mm/min
Density	2,800kg/m³sourcenominal	1,650kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	180kN·m/kg1.52x higher	118kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.4MN·m/kg2.85x 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	26.7GPa4.9x stiffer in shear	5.44GPa
Bulk modulus	69.6GPa	16.3GPa
Speed of sound	5,036m/s	2,985m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	130W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C, T651	0.2W/m·Ksource40% glass-reinforced Fortron, 25 °C (not grade-specific)
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	12µm/m·Ksourceparallel (flow), mean -50 to 90 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth	60µm growth1.95x less
Specific heat	960J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	48.4mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	26,370W/m183x more resistant	144W/m
Melting point	532–635°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	7075-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum rod & bar (mechanical) and sheet/coil/plate (physical) typical datasheets; 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 7075-T6 stronger than Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum 7075-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 503 MPa against tensile strength 195 MPa for Plastic PPS GF40 (2.58x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 7075-T6 or Plastic PPS GF40?

Plastic PPS GF40 is lighter: 1,650 kg/m³ against 2,800 kg/m³ for Aluminum 7075-T6.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 7075-T6 or Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum 7075-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 14.7 GPa for Plastic PPS GF40, so the same part in Aluminum 7075-T6 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 7075-T6 or Plastic PPS GF40?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 7075-T6 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 strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 7075-T6	Plastic PPS GF40
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	2.85x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	30% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	about equal	about equal
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.52x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	11% heavier
Strong panel or plate	6% 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 7075-T6 or Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum 7075-T6 conducts heat better: 130 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 23.4 µm/m·K for Aluminum 7075-T6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density