A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.
Ultimaker ABS, 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 v5.00, April 20, 2022.
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.
Plastic ABS is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum A380 stronger than Plastic ABS?
Aluminum A380 is stronger: its yield strength is 160 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (4.2x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or Plastic ABS?
Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 2,713 kg/m³ for Aluminum A380.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or Plastic ABS?
Aluminum A380 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in Aluminum A380 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum A380 or Plastic ABS?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum A380 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam; Plastic ABS is lighter for a strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum A380
Plastic ABS
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
14.7x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.44x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
34% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.7x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
6% heavier
Strong panel or plate
20% 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 A380 or Plastic ABS?
Plastic ABS stretches further before it breaks: 4.6% elongation at break against 3.5% for Aluminum A380.
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum A380 or Plastic ABS?
Aluminum A380 conducts heat better: 96.2 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum A380 expands less: 21.8 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS.