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Magnesium AZ91D vs. Plastic HDPE

Compare Magnesium AZ91D vs. Plastic HDPE strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Magnesium AZ91DCast
Plastic HDPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)
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Mechanical
Yield strength150MPasourcetypical, 0.2% tensile yield, ambient temperature24MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C, 50 mm/min ISO 527
Ultimate tensile strength230MPasourcetypical, ambient temperaturenot sourced
Elongation at break3%sourcetypical, ambient temperaturenot sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)45GPasourcetypical0.9GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus 23 °C ISO 527
Density1,810kg/m³sourcetypical950kg/m³sourcetypical, ISO 1183
Strength to weight82.9kN·m/kg3.28x higher25.3kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight24.9MN·m/kg26.2x higher0.947MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio0.35sourcebase material: AZ91C casting (MIL-HDBK-5J handbook physical constant)0.4–0.45sourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
Shear modulus16.7GPa52.8x stiffer in shear0.316GPa
Bulk modulus50GPa2GPa
Speed of sound4,986m/s973m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity72W/m·Ksourcetypical0.4–0.49W/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
Thermal expansion25µm/m·Ksourcetypical, temperature range not stated120µm/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing125µm growth4.8x less600µm growth
Specific heat1,050J/kg·Ksourcetypical2,250J/kg·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)37.9mm²/s182x faster0.208mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance6,240W/m110x more resistant56.9W/m
Melting point470–595°Csourcemelting rangenot sourced
Values forELEKTRON AZ91D magnesium die-casting alloy, as cast; Magnesium Elektron datasheet 475 (7/01), typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J for AZ91C castings.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 Magnesium AZ91D stronger than Plastic HDPE?

Magnesium AZ91D is stronger: its yield strength is 150 MPa against 24 MPa for Plastic HDPE (6.25x).

Which is lighter, Magnesium AZ91D or Plastic HDPE?

Plastic HDPE is lighter: 950 kg/m³ against 1,810 kg/m³ for Magnesium AZ91D.

Which is stiffer, Magnesium AZ91D or Plastic HDPE?

Magnesium AZ91D is stiffer: Young's modulus 45 GPa against 0.9 GPa for Plastic HDPE, so the same part in Magnesium AZ91D deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Magnesium AZ91D or Plastic HDPE?

For the same stiffness or strength: Magnesium AZ91D 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 beMagnesium AZ91DPlastic HDPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)lighter26.2x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)lighter3.71x heavier
Stiff panel or platelighter1.93x heavier
Strong rod or tielighter3.28x heavier
Strong beamlighter1.78x heavier
Strong panel or platelighter31% 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 AZ91D or Plastic HDPE?

Magnesium AZ91D conducts heat better: 72 W/m·K against 0.445 W/m·K for Plastic HDPE.

Which expands less with temperature?

Magnesium AZ91D expands less: 25 µm/m·K against 120 µm/m·K for Plastic HDPE.

Among 72 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 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum ADC12Solder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Magnesium AZ91DPlastic HDPE
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 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Aluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum ADC12Solder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Magnesium AZ91DPlastic HDPE
Strength against density

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