Aluminum A380 vs. Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)

Compare Aluminum A380 vs. Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	160MPasourcetypical, 25 °C	45MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C
Ultimate tensile strength	320MPasourcetypical, 25 °C	not sourced
Flexural strength	not sourced	65MPasourcetypical, 23 °C
Elongation at break	3.5%sourcetypical	10%sourcenominal strain at break, 23 °C
Young's modulus (stiffness)	71GPasourcetypical, 25 °C	2.3GPasourcetypical
Density	2,713kg/m³sourcetypical at 68 °F	1,040kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	59kN·m/kg36% higher	43.3kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	26.2MN·m/kg11.8x higher	2.21MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.39sourcetypical, ABS family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	not sourced	0.827GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	3.48GPa
Speed of sound	5,116m/s	1,487m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	96.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F	0.17W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	21.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 68-572 °F (20-300 °C)	80–110µm/m·Ksourcerange
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	109µm growth4.36x less	475µm growth
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	36.8mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	21.4W/m
Max service temperature	not sourced	94°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (annealed 4 h/80 °C)
Values for	A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.	INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 general-purpose injection-molding ABS, ISO typical values (TDS revision 08/01/2022)

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.

Questions

Is Aluminum A380 stronger than Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)?

Aluminum A380 is stronger: its yield strength is 160 MPa against 45 MPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) (3.56x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter: 1,040 kg/m³ against 2,713 kg/m³ for Aluminum A380.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)?

Aluminum A380 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 2.3 GPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection), 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 (bulk/injection)?

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; Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter for a strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum A380	Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	11.8x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.13x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	20% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	36% heavier
Strong beam	12% 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 A380 or Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)?

Aluminum A380 conducts heat better: 96.2 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum A380 expands less: 21.8 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density