Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources7 documents: Chemours, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Brick Industry Association
Brick
Solid extruded clay/shale brick units (BIA 1993 manufacturer survey, TN 3A 2024); face brick of 130 lb/ft3 for thermal properties (BIA TN 4, from ASHRAE 2013); CTE is the TMS Code value for clay/shale masonry
Plastic PTFE
Chemours Teflon PTFE 7C X granular molding resin, typical values (tensile/elongation measured on 0.13 mm skived tape)
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Teflon PTFE Fluoropolymer Resin Properties HandbookChemoursarchived copyPlastic PTFE · Yield strength: typical yield strength at 23 °C (Teflon PTFE, Table 8)Plastic PTFE · Poisson's ratio: typical, 23 °C (Teflon PTFE resins, Chemours handbook)Plastic PTFE · Thermal conductivity: typical, granular resin, 4.6 mm specimenPlastic PTFE · Thermal expansion: typical, granular resin, 23-60 °C (ASTM E228)Plastic PTFE · Specific heat: typical, granular resin, 20 °C (ASTM D4591)
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Strength of Masonry Walls Under Compressive and Transverse Loads (Building Science Series 34)National Institute of Standards and Technologyarchived copyBrick · Ultimate tensile strength: modulus of rupture (no direct tensile value)
Technical Notes 3A: Brick Masonry Material PropertiesBrick Industry AssociationBrick · Compressive strength: mean unit compressive strength, solid extruded brick (survey mean; SD 30.8 MPa)Brick · Thermal expansion: TMS Code average coefficient, clay/shale unit masonry
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Technical Notes 4: Introduction to Energy Performance of Brick Masonry (2016)Brick Industry Associationarchived copyBrick · Density: face brick density row used for k (BIA notes most fired clay brick 120-130 lb/ft3)Brick · Thermal conductivity: range for 130 lb/ft3 face brick (ASHRAE 2013 via BIA)
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Technical Notes 4B: Energy Code Compliance of Brick Masonry WallsBrick Industry Associationarchived copyBrick · Specific heat: value used in BIA heat-capacity sample calculation
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Teflon PTFE 6C X Product InformationChemoursarchived copyPlastic PTFE · Max service temperature: service temperature (Chemours general Teflon PTFE statement)
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Brick stronger than Plastic PTFE?
Plastic PTFE is stronger: its yield strength is 9 MPa against tensile strength 5.1 MPa for Brick (1.76x).
Which is lighter, Brick or Plastic PTFE?
Brick is lighter: 2,082 kg/m³ against 2,160 kg/m³ for Plastic PTFE.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brick or Plastic PTFE?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PTFE is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Brick
Plastic PTFE
Strong rod or tie
1.7x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
41% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
28% 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).
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Brick or Plastic PTFE?
Brick conducts heat better: 1.02 W/m·K against 0.25 W/m·K for Plastic PTFE.
Which expands less with temperature?
Brick expands less: 7.2 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic PTFE.