Plastic PPS GF40 vs. Zinc Zamak 3

Compare Plastic PPS GF40 vs. Zinc Zamak 3 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PPS GF40Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	221MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	195MPasourcetensile strength, 5 mm/min	283MPasourcetypical
Flexural strength	285MPasourceflexural strength at break	not sourced
Elongation at break	1.9%sourcestrain at break, 5 mm/min	10%sourcetypical, in 2 in.
Young's modulus (stiffness)	14.7GPasourcetypical, 1 mm/min	85.5GPasourcetypical
Density	1,650kg/m³sourcetypical4x lighter	6,600kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	118kN·m/kg3.53x higher	33.5kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	8.91MN·m/kg	13MN·m/kg45% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.35sourceglass-reinforced Fortron PPS (class value, not grade-specific)	0.27sourcetypical, Zamak 3 hot-chamber die cast
Shear modulus	5.44GPa	33.7GPa6.18x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	16.3GPa	62GPa
Speed of sound	2,985m/s	3,599m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.2W/m·Ksource40% glass-reinforced Fortron, 25 °C (not grade-specific)	113W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	12µm/m·Ksourceparallel (flow), mean -50 to 90 °C	27.4µm/m·Ksourcetypical
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	60µm growth2.28x less	137µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	419J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	40.9mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	144W/m	7,782W/m54.1x more resistant
Melting point	280°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min	381–387°Csourcemelting range
Glass transition	90°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min	not sourced
Max service temperature	270°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa	not sourced
Values for	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).	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 PPS GF40 stronger than Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 is stronger: its yield strength is 221 MPa against tensile strength 195 MPa for Plastic PPS GF40 (13%).

Which is lighter, Plastic PPS GF40 or Zinc Zamak 3?

Plastic PPS GF40 is lighter: 1,650 kg/m³ against 6,600 kg/m³ for Zinc Zamak 3.

Which is stiffer, Plastic PPS GF40 or Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 is stiffer: Young's modulus 85.5 GPa against 14.7 GPa for Plastic PPS GF40, so the same part in Zinc Zamak 3 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PPS GF40 or Zinc Zamak 3?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PPS GF40 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 PPS GF40	Zinc Zamak 3
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	45% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.66x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.22x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	3.53x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	3.68x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	3.76x 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 PPS GF40 or Zinc Zamak 3?

Zinc Zamak 3 conducts heat better: 113 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for Plastic PPS GF40.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic PPS GF40 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 27.4 µm/m·K for Zinc Zamak 3.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density