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 Ceramic Alumina 96% stronger than Plastic PLA?
Ceramic Alumina 96% is stronger: its tensile strength is 221 MPa against yield strength 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (4.21x).
Which is lighter, Ceramic Alumina 96% or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 3,720 kg/m³ for Ceramic Alumina 96%.
Which is stiffer, Ceramic Alumina 96% or Plastic PLA?
Ceramic Alumina 96% is stiffer: Young's modulus 303 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, so the same part in Ceramic Alumina 96% deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Ceramic Alumina 96% or Plastic PLA?
For the same stiffness or strength: Ceramic Alumina 96% 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
Ceramic Alumina 96%
Plastic PLA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
31.1x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
3.22x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
1.51x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
40% heavier
Strong beam
15% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
46% 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, Ceramic Alumina 96% or Plastic PLA?
Ceramic Alumina 96% conducts heat better: 24.7 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.