Plastic LCP GF30 vs. Zinc Zamak 3

Compare Plastic LCP GF30 vs. Zinc Zamak 3 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)	221MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	115MPasourcetensile strength (ISO 527)	283MPasourcetypical
Flexural strength	184MPasourcetypical (ISO 178)	not sourced
Elongation at break	1.5%sourcetensile elongation (ISO 527)	10%sourcetypical, in 2 in.
Young's modulus (stiffness)	11.5GPasourcetensile modulus (ISO 527)	85.5GPasourcetypical
Density	1,610kg/m³sourcetypical4.1x lighter	6,600kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	71.4kN·m/kg2.13x higher	33.5kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	7.14MN·m/kg	13MN·m/kg1.81x higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.27sourcetypical, Zamak 3 hot-chamber die cast
Shear modulus	not sourced	33.7GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	62GPa
Speed of sound	2,673m/s	3,599m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.5W/m·Ksourcehot disk (ISO 22007-2), temperature not stated	113W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	20µm/m·Ksourceflow direction (MD), mean 50-150 °C	27.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	100µm growth37% less	137µm growth
Specific heat	839J/kg·KsourceASTM E1269, temperature not stated	419J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.37mm²/s	40.9mm²/s110x faster
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	7,782W/m
Melting point	not sourced	381–387°Csourcemelting range
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.	Zamak 3 (ASTM B86 die cast), Nathan Trotter (zinc alloy producer) technical data sheet, typical values

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 Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 is stronger: its yield strength is 221 MPa against tensile strength 115 MPa for Plastic LCP GF30 (1.92x).

Which is lighter, Plastic LCP GF30 or Zinc Zamak 3?

Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter: 1,610 kg/m³ against 6,600 kg/m³ for Zinc Zamak 3.

Which is stiffer, Plastic LCP GF30 or Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 is stiffer: Young's modulus 85.5 GPa against 11.5 GPa for Plastic LCP GF30, so the same part in Zinc Zamak 3 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic LCP GF30 or Zinc Zamak 3?

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; Zinc Zamak 3 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must be	Plastic LCP GF30	Zinc Zamak 3
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	1.81x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.5x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.1x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2.13x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	2.65x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	2.96x 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 Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 conducts heat better: 113 W/m·K against 0.5 W/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic LCP GF30 expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 27.4 µm/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density