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Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. Plastic Polycarbonate

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

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Magnesium AZ31B-H24Wrought
Plastic PolycarbonateBulk polymer (molded or machined)
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Mechanical
Yield strength220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress65MPasourcetypical, tensile yield
Ultimate tensile strength290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm65MPasourcetypical, stress at break
Flexural strengthnot sourced97MPasourcetypical, flexural strength
Elongation at break13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A125%sourcetypical, strain at break
Young's modulus (stiffness)44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant)2.4GPasourcetypical
Density1,769kg/m³sourcenominal1,200kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight124kN·m/kg2.3x higher54.2kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight25.3MN·m/kg12.7x higher2MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)0.38sourcetypical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulus16.6GPa19.1x stiffer in shear0.87GPa
Bulk modulus49.8GPa3.33GPa
Speed of sound5,032m/s1,414m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated)0.2W/m·Ksourcetypical, through-plane, 23 C
Thermal expansion26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated)65µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 23-55 C, parallel and normal
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing134µm growth2.43x less325µm growth
Specific heat1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical1,172J/kg·Ksourcetypical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)41.8mm²/s294x faster0.142mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance9,159W/m177x more resistant51.7W/m
Glass transitionnot sourced144°Csourcetypical, DSC 10 C/min
Max service temperature149°Csourcestated application limit125°CsourceUL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm
Values forAZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMSCovestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, typical 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 AZ31B-H24 stronger than Plastic Polycarbonate?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stronger: its yield strength is 220 MPa against 65 MPa for Plastic Polycarbonate (3.38x).

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

Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,200 kg/m³ against 1,769 kg/m³ for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.

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

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stiffer: Young's modulus 44.8 GPa against 2.4 GPa for Plastic Polycarbonate, 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 Polycarbonate?

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 beMagnesium AZ31B-H24Plastic Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)lighter12.7x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)lighter2.93x heavier
Stiff panel or platelighter1.8x heavier
Strong rod or tielighter2.3x heavier
Strong beamlighter1.53x heavier
Strong panel or platelighter25% 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 Polycarbonate?

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

Which expands less with temperature?

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

Among 59 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic 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 SteelMagnesium AZ31B-H24Plastic Polycarbonate
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic 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 SteelBrickMagnesium AZ31B-H24Plastic Polycarbonate
Strength against density

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