Rubber vs. Steel A992

Compare Rubber vs. Steel A992 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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RubberBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC
Ultimate tensile strength	23MPasourcetypical	505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey)
Elongation at break	830%sourcetypical	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	not sourced	200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16)
Density	960kg/m³sourcetypical (specific gravity)	7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data)
Strength to weight	24kN·m/kg	49kN·m/kg2.05x higher
Stiffness to weight	not sourced	25.5MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	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).	0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary)
Shear modulus	not sourced	76.9GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	167GPa
Speed of sound	not sourced	5,048m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.151W/m·Ksourcegovernment selected value (US Army Natick Laboratories TR 66-49-PR, 1966), soft vulcanized natural rubber, 25 °C	48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C
Thermal expansion	not sourced	12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	not sourced	60µm growth
Specific heat	1,881J/kg·Ksourcegovernment (NBS J. Res. 68A, Table 7; values observed for unvulcanized NR by Bekkedahl and Matheson), 25 °C	460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.0836mm²/s	13mm²/s156x faster
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	5,390W/m
Max service temperature	70°Csourcecontinuous use operating range	not sourced
Values for	Weir Minerals Linatex Premium rubber (95 % natural rubber), typical physical properties, spec sheet WMD0118/202305	ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards.

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 Rubber stronger than Steel A992?

Steel A992 is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against tensile strength 23 MPa for Rubber (16.7x).

Which is lighter, Rubber or Steel A992?

Rubber is lighter: 960 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel A992.

Which is lighter for the same job, Rubber or Steel A992?

For the same stiffness or strength: Rubber is lighter for a strong beam, strong panel or plate; Steel A992 is lighter for a strong rod or tie.

Part that must be	Rubber	Steel A992
Strong rod or tie	2.05x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	lighter	25% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	2x 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, Rubber or Steel A992?

Steel A992 conducts heat better: 48 W/m·K against 0.151 W/m·K for Rubber.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density