Materials / Compare
Plastic PLA vs. Rubber
Compare Plastic PLA vs. Rubber 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 | 52.5MPasourcetypical | not given (tensile used) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | 23MPasourcetypical |
| Flexural strength | 96.8MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 7.8%sourcetypical | 830%sourcetypical106x more ductile |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 3.25GPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Density | 1,240kg/m³sourcetypical | 960kg/m³sourcetypical (specific gravity) |
| Strength to weight | 42.3kN·m/kg1.77x higher | 24kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.62MN·m/kg | not sourced |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.5sourcegovernment (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 modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 1,619m/s | not sourced |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C | 0.151W/m·Ksourcegovernment selected value (US Army Natick Laboratories TR 66-49-PR, 1966), soft vulcanized natural rubber, 25 °C |
| Thermal expansion | not sourced | not sourced |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | not sourced | not sourced |
| Specific heat | 1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C | 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) | 0.0874mm²/s4% faster | 0.0836mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | not sourced |
| Melting point | 152°Csourcetypical | not sourced |
| Glass transition | 59.1°Csourcetypical | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | 58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) | 70°Csourcecontinuous use operating range |
| Values for | 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. | 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 PLA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Plastic PLA stronger than Rubber?
Plastic PLA is stronger: its yield strength is 52.5 MPa against tensile strength 23 MPa for Rubber (2.28x).
Which is lighter, Plastic PLA or Rubber?
Rubber is lighter: 960 kg/m³ against 1,240 kg/m³ for Plastic PLA.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PLA or Rubber?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PLA is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Plastic PLA | Rubber |
|---|---|---|
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 1.77x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 34% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 17% 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 PLA or Rubber?
Rubber stretches further before it breaks: 830% elongation at break against 7.8% for Plastic PLA.
Which conducts heat better, Plastic PLA or Rubber?
Rubber conducts heat better: 0.151 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.