Materials / Compare
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Plastic PLA
Compare Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Plastic PLA 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 | 220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress | 52.5MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm | 52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) |
| Flexural strength | not sourced | 96.8MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A | 7.8%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 3.25GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 1,769kg/m³sourcenominal | 1,240kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 124kN·m/kg2.94x higher | 42.3kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg9.66x higher | 2.62MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | not sourced |
| Shear modulus | 16.6GPa | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | 49.8GPa | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 5,032m/s | 1,619m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated) | 0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated) | not sourced |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 134µm growth | not sourced |
| Specific heat | 1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical | 1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 41.8mm²/s478x faster | 0.0874mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 9,159W/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | not sourced | 152°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 59.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | 149°Csourcestated application limit | 58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| Values for | AZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMS | 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.