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.
Röhm PLEXIGLAS GS 0F00 cast acrylic sheet, typical values at 23 °C / 50 % RH (Röhm Technical Information Ref. No. 211-1)
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 ADC12 stronger than Plastic PMMA?
Aluminum ADC12 is stronger: its yield strength is 149 MPa against tensile strength 80 MPa for Plastic PMMA (1.86x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum ADC12 or Plastic PMMA?
Plastic PMMA is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 2,680 kg/m³ for Aluminum ADC12.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum ADC12 or Plastic PMMA?
Aluminum ADC12 is stiffer: Young's modulus 79.8 GPa against 3.3 GPa for Plastic PMMA, so the same part in Aluminum ADC12 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum ADC12 or Plastic PMMA?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum ADC12 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic PMMA is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum ADC12
Plastic PMMA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
10.7x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.18x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
28% heavier
Strong rod or tie
21% heavier
lighter
Strong beam
49% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
1.65x 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 PMMA?
Aluminum ADC12 conducts heat better: 125 W/m·K against 0.19 W/m·K for Plastic PMMA.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum ADC12 expands less: 21 µm/m·K against 70 µm/m·K for Plastic PMMA.