Aluminum ADC12 vs. Plastic UHMWPE

Compare Aluminum ADC12 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	149MPasourceone test result, 0.2% proof stress, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Ultimate tensile strength	345MPasourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Elongation at break	2.3%sourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527
Young's modulus (stiffness)	79.8GPasourcestandard value (S.S.Aluminum)	0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min
Density	2,680kg/m³sourcemeasured (Daiki)	930kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	55.6kN·m/kg2.59x higher	21.5kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	29.8MN·m/kg42x 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	5,457m/s	842m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	125W/m·Ksourcemeasured on specimens cut from a 50 x 100 x 5 mm flat die casting (Daiki)	0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE)
Thermal expansion	21µm/m·Ksourcemeasured, temperature range not stated (Daiki)	200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	105µm growth9.52x less	1,000µm growth
Specific heat	911J/kg·Ksourcemeasured (Daiki)	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	51.2mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Melting point	515–582°Csourcesolidus-liquidus (Daiki)	130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min
Max service temperature	not sourced	80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature
Values for	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.	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 ADC12 stronger than Plastic UHMWPE?

Aluminum ADC12 is stronger: its yield strength is 149 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (7.45x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum ADC12 or Plastic UHMWPE?

Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 2,680 kg/m³ for Aluminum ADC12.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum ADC12 or Plastic UHMWPE?

Aluminum ADC12 is stiffer: Young's modulus 79.8 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in Aluminum ADC12 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum ADC12 or Plastic UHMWPE?

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, strong beam; Plastic UHMWPE is lighter for a strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum ADC12	Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	42x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	3.82x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.72x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2.59x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	32% heavier
Strong panel or plate	6% 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 UHMWPE?

Aluminum ADC12 conducts heat better: 125 W/m·K against 0.4 W/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum ADC12 expands less: 21 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density