Aluminum 7075-T6 vs. Plastic PTFE

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

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Plastic PTFEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	503MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	9MPasourcetypical yield strength at 23 °C (Teflon PTFE, Table 8)
Ultimate tensile strength	572MPasourcetypical	39.3MPasourcetypical, skived tape 0.13 mm
Elongation at break	11%sourcetypical, in 4D	350%sourcetypical, skived tape 0.13 mm
Young's modulus (stiffness)	71GPasourcetypical	not sourced
Density	2,800kg/m³sourcenominal	2,160kg/m³sourcetypical (standard specific gravity, ASTM D4894)
Strength to weight	180kN·m/kg43.1x higher	4.17kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.4MN·m/kg	not sourced
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)	0.46sourcetypical, 23 °C (Teflon PTFE resins, Chemours handbook)
Shear modulus	26.7GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	69.6GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,036m/s	not sourced
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	130W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C, T651	0.25W/m·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 4.6 mm specimen
Thermal expansion	23.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	100µm/m·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 23-60 °C (ASTM E228)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	117µm growth4.27x less	500µm growth
Specific heat	960J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	1,400J/kg·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 20 °C (ASTM D4591)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	48.4mm²/s585x faster	0.0827mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	26,370W/m	not sourced
Melting point	532–635°Csourcemelting range	327°Csourcesecond melting peak (sintered polymer), +/-10
Max service temperature	not sourced	260°Csourceservice temperature (Chemours general Teflon PTFE statement)
Values for	7075-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum rod & bar (mechanical) and sheet/coil/plate (physical) typical datasheets; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	Chemours Teflon PTFE 7C X granular molding resin, typical values (tensile/elongation measured on 0.13 mm skived tape)

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 PTFE?

Aluminum 7075-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 503 MPa against 9 MPa for Plastic PTFE (55.9x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 7075-T6 or Plastic PTFE?

Plastic PTFE is lighter: 2,160 kg/m³ against 2,800 kg/m³ for Aluminum 7075-T6.

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

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 7075-T6 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 7075-T6	Plastic PTFE
Strong rod or tie	lighter	43.1x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	11.3x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	5.77x heavier

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 PTFE?

Aluminum 7075-T6 conducts heat better: 130 W/m·K against 0.25 W/m·K for Plastic PTFE.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 7075-T6 expands less: 23.4 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic PTFE.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density