Plastic LCP GF30 vs. Stainless Steel 303

Compare Plastic LCP GF30 vs. Stainless Steel 303 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic LCP GF30Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	275MPasourceOutokumpu typical (product P = hot rolled plate, transverse)
Ultimate tensile strength	115MPasourcetensile strength (ISO 527)	585MPasourceOutokumpu typical
Flexural strength	184MPasourcetypical (ISO 178)	not sourced
Elongation at break	1.5%sourcetensile elongation (ISO 527)	35%sourceOutokumpu typical, A5
Young's modulus (stiffness)	11.5GPasourcetensile modulus (ISO 527)	200GPasourceat RT (Table 12)
Density	1,610kg/m³sourcetypical	7,900kg/m³sourceat RT
Strength to weight	71.4kN·m/kg2.05x higher	34.8kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	7.14MN·m/kg	25.3MN·m/kg3.54x higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.3sourcedesign value (structural stainless steels)
Shear modulus	not sourced	76.9GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	167GPa
Speed of sound	2,673m/s	5,032m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.5W/m·Ksourcehot disk (ISO 22007-2), temperature not stated	15W/m·Ksourceat RT
Thermal expansion	20µm/m·Ksourceflow direction (MD), mean 50-150 °C	16µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20–100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	100µm growth	80µm growth25% less
Specific heat	839J/kg·KsourceASTM E1269, temperature not stated	500J/kg·Ksourceat RT
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.37mm²/s	3.8mm²/s10.3x faster
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	902W/m
Max service temperature	288°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (ISO 75)	871°Csourcecontinuous, scaling limit
Values for	Sumitomo Chemical SUMIKASUPER LCP E6006L (30% glass fibre; high strength, low shrinkage); SUMIKASUPER LCP Technical Note, Version 04 / Nov. 2023, typical values.	1.4305 / UNS S30300, Outokumpu typical values (hot rolled, solution annealed) from 'Steel Grades, Properties and Global Standards'; max service from Carpenter CarTech 303 datasheet

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 Plastic LCP GF30 stronger than Stainless Steel 303?

Stainless Steel 303 is stronger: its yield strength is 275 MPa against tensile strength 115 MPa for Plastic LCP GF30 (2.39x).

Which is lighter, Plastic LCP GF30 or Stainless Steel 303?

Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter: 1,610 kg/m³ against 7,900 kg/m³ for Stainless Steel 303.

Which is stiffer, Plastic LCP GF30 or Stainless Steel 303?

Stainless Steel 303 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 11.5 GPa for Plastic LCP GF30, so the same part in Stainless Steel 303 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic LCP GF30 or Stainless Steel 303?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Stainless Steel 303 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must be	Plastic LCP GF30	Stainless Steel 303
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	3.54x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	18% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.89x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2.05x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	2.74x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	3.17x 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 LCP GF30 or Stainless Steel 303?

Stainless Steel 303 conducts heat better: 15 W/m·K against 0.5 W/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.

Which expands less with temperature?

Stainless Steel 303 expands less: 16 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density