Materials / Compare
Plastic PLA vs. Plastic UHMWPE
Compare Plastic PLA vs. Plastic UHMWPE 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 | 20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | 43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min |
| Flexural strength | 96.8MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 7.8%sourcetypical | 465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527 |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 3.25GPasourcetypical | 0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min |
| Density | 1,240kg/m³sourcetypical | 930kg/m³sourcetypical33% lighter |
| Strength to weight | 42.3kN·m/kg1.97x higher | 21.5kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.62MN·m/kg3.69x higher | 0.71MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | not sourced |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 1,619m/s | 842m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C | 0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE) |
| Thermal expansion | not sourced | 200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | not sourced | 1,000µm growth |
| Specific heat | 1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C | not sourced |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 0.0874mm²/s | not sourced |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | not sourced |
| Melting point | 152°Csourcetypical | 130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min |
| Glass transition | 59.1°Csourcetypical | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | 58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) | 80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature |
| 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. | Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named) |
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 Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic PLA is stronger: its yield strength is 52.5 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (2.63x).
Which is lighter, Plastic PLA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,240 kg/m³ for Plastic PLA.
Which is stiffer, Plastic PLA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic PLA is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.25 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in Plastic PLA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PLA or Plastic UHMWPE?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PLA 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 | Plastic PLA | Plastic UHMWPE |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 3.69x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 1.66x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 28% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 1.97x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 43% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 22% 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, Plastic PLA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE conducts heat better: 0.4 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.