Materials / Compare
Copper C110 vs. Plastic HDPE
Compare Copper C110 vs. Plastic HDPE strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 69MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load | 24MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C, 50 mm/min ISO 527 |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 221MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 55%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 117GPasourcetypical | 0.9GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus 23 °C ISO 527 |
| Density | 8,913kg/m³sourcenominal | 950kg/m³sourcetypical, ISO 1183 |
| Strength to weight | 7.74kN·m/kg | 25.3kN·m/kg3.26x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 13.1MN·m/kg13.9x higher | 0.947MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-K32 = Cu-ETP = C11000, rolled products) | 0.4–0.45sourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE) |
| Shear modulus | 43.7GPa138x stiffer in shear | 0.316GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 122GPa | 2GPa |
| Speed of sound | 3,626m/s | 973m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 391W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 0.4–0.49W/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE) |
| Thermal expansion | 16.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 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 | 84.5µm growth7.1x less | 600µm growth |
| Specific heat | 385J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 2,250J/kg·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 114mm²/s547x faster | 0.208mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 8,992W/m158x more resistant | 56.9W/m |
| Melting point | 1,065–1,083°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | not sourced |
| Values for | C11000 ETP copper, annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 1 in. rod, copper.org typical values | 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 Copper C110 stronger than Plastic HDPE?
Copper C110 is stronger: its yield strength is 69 MPa against 24 MPa for Plastic HDPE (2.88x).
Which is lighter, Copper C110 or Plastic HDPE?
Plastic HDPE is lighter: 950 kg/m³ against 8,913 kg/m³ for Copper C110.
Which is stiffer, Copper C110 or Plastic HDPE?
Copper C110 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 0.9 GPa for Plastic HDPE, so the same part in Copper C110 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C110 or Plastic HDPE?
For the same stiffness or strength: Copper C110 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending); Plastic HDPE is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Copper C110 | Plastic HDPE |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 13.9x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 22% heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | 1.85x heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 3.26x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 4.64x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 5.53x 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, Copper C110 or Plastic HDPE?
Copper C110 conducts heat better: 391 W/m·K against 0.445 W/m·K for Plastic HDPE.
Which expands less with temperature?
Copper C110 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 120 µm/m·K for Plastic HDPE.