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Plastic PETG vs. Rubber

Compare Plastic PETG vs. Rubber strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PETG3D printed (FDM)
RubberBulk polymer (molded or machined)
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Mechanical
Yield strength46.2MPasourcetypicalnot given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength46.2MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)23MPasourcetypical
Flexural strength78.9MPasourcetypicalnot sourced
Elongation at break7.6%sourcetypical830%sourcetypical109x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)1.94GPasourcetypicalnot sourced
Density1,270kg/m³sourcetypical960kg/m³sourcetypical (specific gravity)
Strength to weight36.4kN·m/kg1.52x higher24kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight1.53MN·m/kgnot sourced
Poisson's rationot sourced0.5sourcegovernment (NBS J. Res. 68A, 1964): computed by NBS for peroxide-cured gum NR vulcanizate, 25 °C, infinitesimal deformation0.49 in the solver: the linear element locks as the ratio nears 0.5 (nearly incompressible).
Shear modulusnot sourcednot sourced
Bulk modulusnot sourcednot sourced
Speed of sound1,236m/snot sourced
Thermal
Thermal conductivity0.21W/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typical0.151W/m·Ksourcegovernment selected value (US Army Natick Laboratories TR 66-49-PR, 1966), soft vulcanized natural rubber, 25 °C
Thermal expansion51µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typicalnot sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing255µm growthnot sourced
Specific heat1,300J/kg·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), DSC at 60 °C (lowest temperature listed)1,881J/kg·Ksourcegovernment (NBS J. Res. 68A, Table 7; values observed for unvulcanized NR by Bekkedahl and Matheson), 25 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)0.127mm²/s1.52x faster0.0836mm²/s
Thermal shock resistancenot sourcednot sourced
Glass transition77.4°Csourcetypicalnot sourced
Max service temperature76.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)70°Csourcecontinuous use operating range
Values forUltimaker PETG, 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 v1.00, April 29, 2022.Weir Minerals Linatex Premium rubber (95 % natural rubber), typical physical properties, spec sheet WMD0118/202305

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

Questions

Is Plastic PETG stronger than Rubber?

Plastic PETG is stronger: its yield strength is 46.2 MPa against tensile strength 23 MPa for Rubber (2.01x).

Which is lighter, Plastic PETG or Rubber?

Rubber is lighter: 960 kg/m³ against 1,270 kg/m³ for Plastic PETG.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PETG or Rubber?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PETG is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must bePlastic PETGRubber
Strong rod or tielighter1.52x heavier
Strong beamlighter20% heavier
Strong panel or platelighter7% 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 is more ductile, Plastic PETG or Rubber?

Rubber stretches further before it breaks: 830% elongation at break against 7.6% for Plastic PETG.

Which conducts heat better, Plastic PETG or Rubber?

Plastic PETG conducts heat better: 0.21 W/m·K against 0.151 W/m·K for Rubber.

Among 59 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic 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 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic 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 SteelPlastic PETG
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic 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 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic 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 SteelBrickPlastic PETGRubber
Strength against density

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