JIS ADC12 (Al-Si-Cu, about A383 / EN AC-46100) high-pressure die-casting alloy, as cast; physical properties from Daiki Aluminium Industry (ADC12 ingot producer) measured values; modulus from S.S.Aluminum (ADC12 ingot producer) standard values.
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 ADC12 stronger than Plastic PLA?
Aluminum ADC12 is stronger: its yield strength is 149 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (2.84x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum ADC12 or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 2,680 kg/m³ for Aluminum ADC12.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum ADC12 or Plastic PLA?
Aluminum ADC12 is stiffer: Young's modulus 79.8 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, so the same part in Aluminum ADC12 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum ADC12 or Plastic PLA?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum ADC12 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 ADC12
Plastic PLA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
11.4x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.29x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
34% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
31% heavier
Strong beam
8% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
28% 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 ADC12 or Plastic PLA?
Aluminum ADC12 conducts heat better: 125 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.