Materials / Compare
Plastic UHMWPE vs. Rubber
Compare Plastic UHMWPE vs. Rubber 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 | 20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min | not given (tensile used) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min | 23MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527 | 830%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min | not sourced |
| Density | 930kg/m³sourcetypical | 960kg/m³sourcetypical (specific gravity) |
| Strength to weight | 21.5kN·m/kg | 24kN·m/kg11% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 0.71MN·m/kg | not sourced |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.5sourcegovernment (NBS J. Res. 68A, 1964): computed by NBS for peroxide-cured gum NR vulcanizate, 25 °C, infinitesimal deformation0.49 in the solver: the linear element locks as the ratio nears 0.5 (nearly incompressible). |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 842m/s | not sourced |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE) | 0.151W/m·Ksourcegovernment selected value (US Army Natick Laboratories TR 66-49-PR, 1966), soft vulcanized natural rubber, 25 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE) | not sourced |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 1,000µm growth | not sourced |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 1,881J/kg·Ksourcegovernment (NBS J. Res. 68A, Table 7; values observed for unvulcanized NR by Bekkedahl and Matheson), 25 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 0.0836mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | not sourced |
| Melting point | 130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | 80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature | 70°Csourcecontinuous use operating range |
| Values for | Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named) | Weir Minerals Linatex Premium rubber (95 % natural rubber), typical physical properties, spec sheet WMD0118/202305 |
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 UHMWPE stronger than Rubber?
Rubber is stronger: its tensile strength is 23 MPa against yield strength 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (15%).
Which is lighter, Plastic UHMWPE or Rubber?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 960 kg/m³ for Rubber.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic UHMWPE or Rubber?
For the same stiffness or strength: Rubber is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Plastic UHMWPE | Rubber |
|---|---|---|
| Strong rod or tie | 11% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 6% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 4% 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 UHMWPE or Rubber?
Plastic UHMWPE conducts heat better: 0.4 W/m·K against 0.151 W/m·K for Rubber.