Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources4 documents: Copper Development Association, UltiMaker, Wieland, Eastman
Copper C12200
C12200 phosphorus-deoxidized copper (DHP, the air-conditioning and refrigeration tube copper), tube annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 0.065 in. wall, copper.org typical values
Plastic PETG
Ultimaker PETG, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); 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 v1.00, April 29, 2022.
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C12200 Alloy (copper.org)Copper Development Associationarchived copyCopper C12200 · Yield strength: typical, 0.5% extension under load, 0.065 in. tubeCopper C12200 · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, 0.065 in. tubeCopper C12200 · Elongation at break: typical, 0.065 in. tubeCopper C12200 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalCopper C12200 · Density: nominalCopper C12200 · Thermal conductivity: typical, 20 °CCopper C12200 · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CCopper C12200 · Specific heat: typical, 20 °CCopper C12200 · Melting point: liquidus
Wieland-K19 (Cu-DHP, C12200) Data SheetWielandarchived copyCopper C12200 · Poisson's ratio: reference value at room temperature (Wieland-K19 = Cu-DHP = C12200, rolled products)
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Eastar Copolyester 6763 Product Data SheetEastmanPlastic PETG · Thermal conductivity: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typicalPlastic PETG · Thermal expansion: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typicalPlastic PETG · Specific heat: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), DSC at 60 °C (lowest temperature listed)
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Plastic PETG is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Copper C12200 stronger than Plastic PETG?
Copper C12200 is stronger: its yield strength is 69 MPa against 46.2 MPa for Plastic PETG (49%).
Which is lighter, Copper C12200 or Plastic PETG?
Plastic PETG is lighter: 1,270 kg/m³ against 8,941 kg/m³ for Copper C12200.
Which is stiffer, Copper C12200 or Plastic PETG?
Copper C12200 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 1.94 GPa for Plastic PETG, so the same part in Copper C12200 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C12200 or Plastic PETG?
For the same stiffness or strength: Copper C12200 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending); Plastic PETG is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Copper C12200
Plastic PETG
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
8.59x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
10% heavier
Stiff panel or plate
1.79x heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
4.71x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
5.39x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
5.76x 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 is more ductile, Copper C12200 or Plastic PETG?
Copper C12200 stretches further before it breaks: 45% elongation at break against 7.6% for Plastic PETG.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Copper C12200 or Plastic PETG?
Copper C12200 conducts heat better: 339 W/m·K against 0.21 W/m·K for Plastic PETG.
Which expands less with temperature?
Copper C12200 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 51 µm/m·K for Plastic PETG.