Materials / Compare
Rubber vs. Steel A992
Compare Rubber vs. Steel A992 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 | 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.