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 Magnesium AZ31B-H24 stronger than Plastic PLA?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stronger: its yield strength is 220 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (4.19x).
Which is lighter, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 1,769 kg/m³ for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.
Which is stiffer, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Plastic PLA?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stiffer: Young's modulus 44.8 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, so the same part in Magnesium AZ31B-H24 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Plastic PLA?
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 be
Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Plastic PLA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
9.66x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.6x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
1.68x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
2.94x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
1.82x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
43% heavier
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, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or Plastic PLA?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.