Brick vs. Plastic HDPE

Compare Brick vs. Plastic HDPE strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic HDPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	24MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C, 50 mm/min ISO 527
Ultimate tensile strength	5.1MPasourcemodulus of rupture (no direct tensile value)	not sourced
Compressive strength	77.9MPasourcemean unit compressive strength, solid extruded brick (survey mean; SD 30.8 MPa)	not sourced
Elongation at break	not sourced	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	not sourced	0.9GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus 23 °C ISO 527
Density	2,082kg/m³sourceface brick density row used for k (BIA notes most fired clay brick 120-130 lb/ft3)	950kg/m³sourcetypical, ISO 1183
Strength to weight	2.45kN·m/kg	25.3kN·m/kg10.3x higher
Stiffness to weight	not sourced	0.947MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.4–0.45sourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
Shear modulus	not sourced	0.316GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	2GPa
Speed of sound	not sourced	973m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.92–1.12W/m·Ksourcerange for 130 lb/ft3 face brick (ASHRAE 2013 via BIA)	0.4–0.49W/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
Thermal expansion	7.2µm/m·KsourceTMS Code average coefficient, clay/shale unit masonry	120µm/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	36µm growth16.7x less	600µm growth
Specific heat	837J/kg·Ksourcevalue used in BIA heat-capacity sample calculation	2,250J/kg·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.585mm²/s2.81x faster	0.208mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	56.9W/m
Values for	Solid extruded clay/shale brick units (BIA 1993 manufacturer survey, TN 3A 2024); face brick of 130 lb/ft3 for thermal properties (BIA TN 4, from ASHRAE 2013); CTE is the TMS Code value for clay/shale masonry	LyondellBasell Hostalen 23050 B high density polyethylene, typical ISO values

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 Brick stronger than Plastic HDPE?

Plastic HDPE is stronger: its yield strength is 24 MPa against tensile strength 5.1 MPa for Brick (4.71x).

Which is lighter, Brick or Plastic HDPE?

Plastic HDPE is lighter: 950 kg/m³ against 2,082 kg/m³ for Brick.

Which is lighter for the same job, Brick or Plastic HDPE?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic HDPE is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Brick	Plastic HDPE
Strong rod or tie	10.3x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	6.15x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	4.75x 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, Brick or Plastic HDPE?

Brick conducts heat better: 1.02 W/m·K against 0.445 W/m·K for Plastic HDPE.

Which expands less with temperature?

Brick expands less: 7.2 µm/m·K against 120 µm/m·K for Plastic HDPE.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density