Aluminum A380 vs. Plastic LCP GF30

Compare Aluminum A380 vs. Plastic LCP GF30 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic LCP GF30Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	160MPasourcetypical, 25 °C	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	320MPasourcetypical, 25 °C	115MPasourcetensile strength (ISO 527)
Flexural strength	not sourced	184MPasourcetypical (ISO 178)
Elongation at break	3.5%sourcetypical	1.5%sourcetensile elongation (ISO 527)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	71GPasourcetypical, 25 °C	11.5GPasourcetensile modulus (ISO 527)
Density	2,713kg/m³sourcetypical at 68 °F	1,610kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	59kN·m/kg	71.4kN·m/kg21% higher
Stiffness to weight	26.2MN·m/kg3.66x higher	7.14MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	not sourced
Shear modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Bulk modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,116m/s	2,673m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	96.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F	0.5W/m·Ksourcehot disk (ISO 22007-2), temperature not stated
Thermal expansion	21.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 68-572 °F (20-300 °C)	20µm/m·Ksourceflow direction (MD), mean 50-150 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	109µm growth	100µm growth9% less
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F	839J/kg·KsourceASTM E1269, temperature not stated
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	36.8mm²/s99.5x faster	0.37mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Max service temperature	not sourced	288°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (ISO 75)
Values for	A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.	Sumitomo Chemical SUMIKASUPER LCP E6006L (30% glass fibre; high strength, low shrinkage); SUMIKASUPER LCP Technical Note, Version 04 / Nov. 2023, typical values.

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 LCP GF30?

Aluminum A380 is stronger: its yield strength is 160 MPa against tensile strength 115 MPa for Plastic LCP GF30 (39%).

Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter: 1,610 kg/m³ against 2,713 kg/m³ for Aluminum A380.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum A380 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 11.5 GPa for Plastic LCP GF30, so the same part in Aluminum A380 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum A380 or Plastic LCP GF30?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum A380 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum A380	Plastic LCP GF30
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3.66x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	47% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	9% heavier
Strong rod or tie	21% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	35% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	43% 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 LCP GF30?

Aluminum A380 conducts heat better: 96.2 W/m·K against 0.5 W/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic LCP GF30 expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 21.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum A380.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density