Plastic PLA vs. Plastic PPS GF40

Compare Plastic PLA vs. Plastic PPS GF40 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PPS GF40Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	52.5MPasourcetypical	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	195MPasourcetensile strength, 5 mm/min
Flexural strength	96.8MPasourcetypical	285MPasourceflexural strength at break
Elongation at break	7.8%sourcetypical	1.9%sourcestrain at break, 5 mm/min
Young's modulus (stiffness)	3.25GPasourcetypical	14.7GPasourcetypical, 1 mm/min
Density	1,240kg/m³sourcetypical33% lighter	1,650kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	42.3kN·m/kg	118kN·m/kg2.79x higher
Stiffness to weight	2.62MN·m/kg	8.91MN·m/kg3.4x higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.35sourceglass-reinforced Fortron PPS (class value, not grade-specific)
Shear modulus	not sourced	5.44GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	16.3GPa
Speed of sound	1,619m/s	2,985m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C	0.2W/m·Ksource40% glass-reinforced Fortron, 25 °C (not grade-specific)
Thermal expansion	not sourced	12µm/m·Ksourceparallel (flow), mean -50 to 90 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	not sourced	60µm 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	144W/m
Melting point	152°Csourcetypical	280°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min
Glass transition	59.1°Csourcetypical	90°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min
Max service temperature	58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	270°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa
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 Fortron 1140L4 (PPS, 40% glass fibre), injection moulding; FORTRON PPS Short-Term Properties Guide (PPS-012, 2016); thermal conductivity and Poisson for 40% glass-reinforced Fortron from the Fortron PPS Design Manual (PPS-050, 2013).

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 PPS GF40?

Plastic PPS GF40 is stronger: its tensile strength is 195 MPa against yield strength 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (3.71x).

Which is lighter, Plastic PLA or Plastic PPS GF40?

Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 1,650 kg/m³ for Plastic PPS GF40.

Which is stiffer, Plastic PLA or Plastic PPS GF40?

Plastic PPS GF40 is stiffer: Young's modulus 14.7 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, so the same part in Plastic PPS GF40 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PLA or Plastic PPS GF40?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PPS GF40 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 PPS GF40
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	3.4x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	1.6x heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	24% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	2.79x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	1.8x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	45% heavier	lighter

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 PPS GF40?

Plastic PPS GF40 conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density