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FDM Polycarbonate vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24

Compare FDM Polycarbonate vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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FDM Polycarbonate3D printed (FDM)
Magnesium AZ31B-H24Wrought
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Mechanical
Yield strength53.3MPasourcetypical220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress
Ultimate tensile strength53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm
Flexural strength89.4MPasourcetypicalnot sourced
Elongation at break9.2%sourcetypical13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A
Young's modulus (stiffness)2.39GPasourcetypical44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Density1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange1,769kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight44.8kN·m/kg124kN·m/kg2.78x higher
Stiffness to weight2.01MN·m/kg25.3MN·m/kg12.6x higher
Poisson's ratio0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Shear modulus0.867GPa16.6GPa19.1x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus3.33GPa49.8GPa
Speed of sound1,418m/s5,032m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated)
Thermal expansion65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing325µm growth134µm growth2.43x less
Specific heatnot sourced1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)not sourced41.8mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance42.5W/m9,159W/m216x more resistant
Glass transition108°Csourcetypicalnot sourced
Max service temperature105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)149°Csourcestated application limit
Values forUltimaker PC, 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 (file v5.00), April 20, 2022.AZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMS

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.

FDM Polycarbonate is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is FDM Polycarbonate stronger than Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stronger: its yield strength is 220 MPa against 53.3 MPa for FDM Polycarbonate (4.13x).

Which is lighter, FDM Polycarbonate or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

FDM Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 1,769 kg/m³ for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.

Which is stiffer, FDM Polycarbonate or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stiffer: Young's modulus 44.8 GPa against 2.39 GPa for FDM Polycarbonate, so the same part in Magnesium AZ31B-H24 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, FDM Polycarbonate or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

For the same stiffness or strength: Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must beFDM PolycarbonateMagnesium AZ31B-H24
Stiff rod or tie (tension)12.6x heavierlighter
Stiff beam (bending)2.91x heavierlighter
Stiff panel or plate1.79x heavierlighter
Strong rod or tie2.78x heavierlighter
Strong beam1.73x heavierlighter
Strong panel or plate37% heavierlighter

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, FDM Polycarbonate or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for FDM Polycarbonate.

Which expands less with temperature?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 expands less: 26.8 µm/m·K against 65 µm/m·K for FDM Polycarbonate.

Among 59 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelFDM PolycarbonateMagnesium AZ31B-H24
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickFDM PolycarbonateMagnesium AZ31B-H24
Strength against density

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