Plastic UHMWPE vs. SLA Resin Elastic 50A

Compare Plastic UHMWPE vs. SLA Resin Elastic 50A strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic UHMWPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

SLA Resin Elastic 50A3D printed (SLA resin)

Mechanical
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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	3.4MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527	160%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min	not sourced
Density	930kg/m³sourcetypical	1,010kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	21.5kN·m/kg6.39x higher	3.37kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	0.71MN·m/kg	not sourced
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	not sourced
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)	not sourced
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	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Melting point	130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min	not sourced
Glass transition	not sourced	-34.5°CsourceDMA
Max service temperature	80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature	not sourced
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)	Formlabs Elastic 50A Resin V2 (FLELCL02), TDS Rev. 01 24.01.2024; parts printed on Form 3, 100 µm, Elastic 50A V2 settings and post-processing; tensile on Die C specimens cut from printed sheets after 3+ h at 23 °C.

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.

SLA Resin Elastic 50A is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic UHMWPE stronger than SLA Resin Elastic 50A?

Plastic UHMWPE is stronger: its yield strength is 20 MPa against tensile strength 3.4 MPa for SLA Resin Elastic 50A (5.88x).

Which is lighter, Plastic UHMWPE or SLA Resin Elastic 50A?

Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,010 kg/m³ for SLA Resin Elastic 50A.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic UHMWPE or SLA Resin Elastic 50A?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic UHMWPE is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Plastic UHMWPE	SLA Resin Elastic 50A
Strong rod or tie	lighter	6.39x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	3.54x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	2.63x 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).

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density