Plastic LCP GF30 vs. Steel AISI 1045

Compare Plastic LCP GF30 vs. Steel AISI 1045 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)	531MPasourceproducer-stated, cold drawn
Ultimate tensile strength	115MPasourcetensile strength (ISO 527)	627MPasourceproducer-stated, cold drawn
Flexural strength	184MPasourcetypical (ISO 178)	not sourced
Elongation at break	1.5%sourcetensile elongation (ISO 527)	12%sourcein 2 in (50.8 mm)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	11.5GPasourcetensile modulus (ISO 527)	210GPasourcetypical
Density	1,610kg/m³sourcetypical4.84x lighter	7,800kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	71.4kN·m/kg5% higher	68.1kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	7.14MN·m/kg	26.9MN·m/kg3.77x higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.3sourcetypical
Shear modulus	not sourced	80.8GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	175GPa
Speed of sound	2,673m/s	5,189m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.5W/m·Ksourcehot disk (ISO 22007-2), temperature not stated	40–45W/m·Ksourcetypical range, ambient
Thermal expansion	20µm/m·Ksourceflow direction (MD), mean 50-150 °C	12µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-300 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	100µm growth	60µm growth1.67x less
Specific heat	839J/kg·KsourceASTM E1269, temperature not stated	460–480J/kg·Ksourcetypical range, 50/100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.37mm²/s	11.6mm²/s31.3x faster
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	6,269W/m
Max service temperature	288°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (ISO 75)	not sourced
Values for	Sumitomo Chemical SUMIKASUPER LCP E6006L (30% glass fibre; high strength, low shrinkage); SUMIKASUPER LCP Technical Note, Version 04 / Nov. 2023, typical values.	AISI 1045 cold drawn bar (Niagara LaSalle) for mechanical; Ovako C45 (lists 'SAE 1045' as a similar designation) for physical constants

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 Steel AISI 1045?

Steel AISI 1045 is stronger: its yield strength is 531 MPa against tensile strength 115 MPa for Plastic LCP GF30 (4.62x).

Which is lighter, Plastic LCP GF30 or Steel AISI 1045?

Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter: 1,610 kg/m³ against 7,800 kg/m³ for Steel AISI 1045.

Which is stiffer, Plastic LCP GF30 or Steel AISI 1045?

Steel AISI 1045 is stiffer: Young's modulus 210 GPa against 11.5 GPa for Plastic LCP GF30, so the same part in Steel AISI 1045 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic LCP GF30 or Steel AISI 1045?

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; Steel AISI 1045 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must be	Plastic LCP GF30	Steel AISI 1045
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	3.77x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	13% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.84x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	5% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.75x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	2.25x 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 Steel AISI 1045?

Steel AISI 1045 conducts heat better: 42.5 W/m·K against 0.5 W/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.

Which expands less with temperature?

Steel AISI 1045 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density