A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.
Ultimaker PETG, 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 v1.00, April 29, 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 PETG is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum A380 stronger than Plastic PETG?
Aluminum A380 is stronger: its yield strength is 160 MPa against 46.2 MPa for Plastic PETG (3.46x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or Plastic PETG?
Plastic PETG is lighter: 1,270 kg/m³ against 2,713 kg/m³ for Aluminum A380.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or Plastic PETG?
Aluminum A380 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 1.94 GPa for Plastic PETG, so the same part in Aluminum A380 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum A380 or Plastic PETG?
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 PETG is lighter for a strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum A380
Plastic PETG
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
17.1x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.83x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
1.55x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.62x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
7% heavier
Strong panel or plate
15% 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 PETG?
Plastic PETG stretches further before it breaks: 7.6% elongation at break against 3.5% for Aluminum A380.
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum A380 or Plastic PETG?
Aluminum A380 conducts heat better: 96.2 W/m·K against 0.21 W/m·K for Plastic PETG.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum A380 expands less: 21.8 µm/m·K against 51 µm/m·K for Plastic PETG.