A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.
Ultimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; 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 dated 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 PLA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum A380 stronger than Plastic PLA?
Aluminum A380 is stronger: its yield strength is 160 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (3.05x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 2,713 kg/m³ for Aluminum A380.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or Plastic PLA?
Aluminum A380 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, so the same part in Aluminum A380 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum A380 or Plastic PLA?
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 PLA is lighter for a strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum A380
Plastic PLA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
9.98x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.14x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
28% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
39% heavier
Strong beam
4% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
25% 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 PLA?
Plastic PLA stretches further before it breaks: 7.8% elongation at break against 3.5% for Aluminum A380.
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum A380 or Plastic PLA?
Aluminum A380 conducts heat better: 96.2 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.