Sumitomo Chemical SUMIKASUPER LCP E6006L (30% glass fibre; high strength, low shrinkage); SUMIKASUPER LCP Technical Note, Version 04 / Nov. 2023, typical values.
ATI 316 (UNS S31600), annealed 1.0 mm sheet, ATI technical data sheet (2012); Poisson's ratio from the Nickel Institute/SCI structural stainless design manual
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 316?
Stainless Steel 316 is stronger: its yield strength is 265 MPa against tensile strength 115 MPa for Plastic LCP GF30 (2.3x).
Which is lighter, Plastic LCP GF30 or Stainless Steel 316?
Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter: 1,610 kg/m³ against 8,027 kg/m³ for Stainless Steel 316.
Which is stiffer, Plastic LCP GF30 or Stainless Steel 316?
Stainless Steel 316 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 11.5 GPa for Plastic LCP GF30, so the same part in Stainless Steel 316 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic LCP GF30 or Stainless Steel 316?
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 316 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).
Part that must be
Plastic LCP GF30
Stainless Steel 316
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
3.49x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
20% heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
1.92x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
2.16x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.86x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
3.28x 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 316?
Stainless Steel 316 conducts heat better: 14.6 W/m·K against 0.5 W/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless Steel 316 expands less: 16.5 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.