Materials / Compare
Plastic PLA vs. Solder SAC305
Compare Plastic PLA vs. Solder SAC305 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 52.5MPasourcetypical2.39x stronger | 22MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | 39.6MPasourcetypical |
| Flexural strength | 96.8MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 7.8%sourcetypical | 49%sourcetypical6.28x more ductile |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 3.25GPasourcetypical | 6.9GPasourcetypical, temperature and strain rate not stated |
| Density | 1,240kg/m³sourcetypical5.93x lighter | 7,350kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 42.3kN·m/kg14.1x higher | 2.99kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.62MN·m/kg2.79x higher | 0.939MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.35sourcetypical |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | 2.56GPa |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | 7.67GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,619m/s | 969m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C | 61W/m·Ksourcetypical, temperature not stated |
| Thermal expansion | not sourced | 21.9µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20-100 °C (MacDermid Alpha) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | not sourced | 110µm growth |
| Specific heat | 1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C | 232J/kg·Ksourcetypical (MacDermid Alpha) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 0.0874mm²/s | 35.8mm²/s409x faster |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | 5,773W/m |
| Melting point | 152°Csourcetypical | 217–220°Csourcesolidus-liquidus |
| Glass transition | 59.1°Csourcetypical | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | 58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) | not sourced |
| 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. | SAC305 (Sn96.5Ag3.0Cu0.5) solder alloy, bulk; Indium Corporation Indalloy 256 (SAC305) for Preforms product data sheet (Form No. 100346 R0, 2024), selected properties, test temperature not stated; expansion and specific heat from MacDermid Alpha VACULOY SAC TDS (06 September 2023). |
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 Solder SAC305?
Plastic PLA is stronger: its yield strength is 52.5 MPa against 22 MPa for Solder SAC305 (2.39x).
Which is lighter, Plastic PLA or Solder SAC305?
Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 7,350 kg/m³ for Solder SAC305.
Which is stiffer, Plastic PLA or Solder SAC305?
Solder SAC305 is stiffer: Young's modulus 6.9 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, so the same part in Solder SAC305 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PLA or Solder SAC305?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PLA 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 | Solder SAC305 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 2.79x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 4.07x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 4.61x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 14.1x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 10.6x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 9.16x 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 is more ductile, Plastic PLA or Solder SAC305?
Solder SAC305 stretches further before it breaks: 49% elongation at break against 7.8% for Plastic PLA.
Which conducts heat better, Plastic PLA or Solder SAC305?
Solder SAC305 conducts heat better: 61 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.