Aluminum vs. Plastic PPS GF40

Compare Aluminum vs. Plastic PPS GF40 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PPS GF40Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	310MPasourcetypical	195MPasourcetensile strength, 5 mm/min
Flexural strength	not sourced	285MPasourceflexural strength at break
Elongation at break	17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen	1.9%sourcestrain at break, 5 mm/min
Young's modulus (stiffness)	68.3GPasourcetypical	14.7GPasourcetypical, 1 mm/min
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal	1,650kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	102kN·m/kg	118kN·m/kg16% higher
Stiffness to weight	25.3MN·m/kg2.84x higher	8.91MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)	0.35sourceglass-reinforced Fortron PPS (class value, not grade-specific)
Shear modulus	25.7GPa4.72x stiffer in shear	5.44GPa
Bulk modulus	67GPa	16.3GPa
Speed of sound	5,030m/s	2,985m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	0.2W/m·Ksource40% glass-reinforced Fortron, 25 °C (not grade-specific)
Thermal expansion	23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	12µm/m·Ksourceparallel (flow), mean -50 to 90 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth	60µm growth1.97x less
Specific heat	896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	69mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	19,159W/m133x more resistant	144W/m
Melting point	582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus	280°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min
Glass transition	not sourced	90°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min
Max service temperature	not sourced	270°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa
Values for	6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties (sheet, coil & plate datasheet); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	Celanese Fortron 1140L4 (PPS, 40% glass fibre), injection moulding; FORTRON PPS Short-Term Properties Guide (PPS-012, 2016); thermal conductivity and Poisson for 40% glass-reinforced Fortron from the Fortron PPS Design Manual (PPS-050, 2013).

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 stronger than Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against tensile strength 195 MPa for Plastic PPS GF40 (42%).

Which is lighter, Aluminum or Plastic PPS GF40?

Plastic PPS GF40 is lighter: 1,650 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum or Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum is stiffer: Young's modulus 68.3 GPa against 14.7 GPa for Plastic PPS GF40, so the same part in Aluminum deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum or Plastic PPS GF40?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic PPS GF40 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum	Plastic PPS GF40
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	2.84x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	32% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2% heavier
Strong rod or tie	16% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	30% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	38% 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 or Plastic PPS GF40?

Aluminum conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for Plastic PPS GF40.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic PPS GF40 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density