Materials / Compare
Plastic UHMWPE vs. Stainless Steel 17-4PH
Compare Plastic UHMWPE vs. Stainless Steel 17-4PH 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 | 1,275MPasourcetypical, transverse, sheet/strip |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min | 1,379MPasourcetypical, transverse, sheet/strip |
| Elongation at break | 465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527 | 9%sourcetypical, transverse, in 2 in. (50.8 mm) |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min | 197GPasourceH 900 |
| Density | 930kg/m³sourcetypical | 7,800kg/m³sourceH 900 |
| Strength to weight | 21.5kN·m/kg | 163kN·m/kg7.6x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 0.71MN·m/kg | 25.3MN·m/kg35.6x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | 0.272sourceH 900 (column) |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | 77.4GPa |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | 144GPa |
| Speed of sound | 842m/s | 5,026m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE) | 17.9W/m·Ksourceat 149 °C (300 °F), H 900 |
| Thermal expansion | 200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE) | 10.8µm/m·Ksourcemean, 21–93 °C (70–200 °F), H 900 |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 1,000µm growth | 54µm growth18.5x less |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 460J/kg·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C, H 900 |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 4.99mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | 7,809W/m |
| Melting point | 130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | 80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature | 316°Csourcestrength-retention limit (not oxidation) |
| 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) | Cleveland-Cliffs 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, sheet/strip, transverse (Product Data Bulletin, May 2021) |
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 Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
Stainless Steel 17-4PH is stronger: its yield strength is 1,275 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (63.8x).
Which is lighter, Plastic UHMWPE or Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 7,800 kg/m³ for Stainless Steel 17-4PH.
Which is stiffer, Plastic UHMWPE or Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
Stainless Steel 17-4PH is stiffer: Young's modulus 197 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in Stainless Steel 17-4PH deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic UHMWPE or Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic UHMWPE is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong panel or plate; Stainless Steel 17-4PH is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie, strong beam.
| Part that must be | Plastic UHMWPE | Stainless Steel 17-4PH |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 35.6x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 2.06x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 25% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 7.6x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 1.9x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 5% 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 UHMWPE or Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
Stainless Steel 17-4PH conducts heat better: 17.9 W/m·K against 0.4 W/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless Steel 17-4PH expands less: 10.8 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.
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