Aluminum A380 vs. Plastic UHMWPE

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

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Plastic UHMWPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	160MPasourcetypical, 25 °C	20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Ultimate tensile strength	320MPasourcetypical, 25 °C	43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Elongation at break	3.5%sourcetypical	465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527
Young's modulus (stiffness)	71GPasourcetypical, 25 °C	0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min
Density	2,713kg/m³sourcetypical at 68 °F	930kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	59kN·m/kg2.74x higher	21.5kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	26.2MN·m/kg36.9x higher	0.71MN·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	842m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	96.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F	0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE)
Thermal expansion	21.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 68-572 °F (20-300 °C)	200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	109µm growth9.18x less	1,000µm 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	not sourced
Melting point	not sourced	130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min
Max service temperature	not sourced	80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature
Values for	A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.	Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named)

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 UHMWPE?

Aluminum A380 is stronger: its yield strength is 160 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (8x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or Plastic UHMWPE?

Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 2,713 kg/m³ for Aluminum A380.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or Plastic UHMWPE?

Aluminum A380 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in Aluminum A380 deflects less under the same load.

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

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 UHMWPE is lighter for a strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum A380	Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	36.9x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	3.56x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.63x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2.74x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	37% heavier
Strong panel or plate	3% 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 UHMWPE?

Aluminum A380 conducts heat better: 96.2 W/m·K against 0.4 W/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum A380 expands less: 21.8 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density