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: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Weir Minerals, Brick Industry Association, Defense Technical Information Center
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
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)
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Linatex Premium Rubber Spec Sheet (WMD0118, 2023)Weir MineralsRubber · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalRubber · Elongation at break: typicalRubber · Density: typical (specific gravity)Rubber · Max service temperature: continuous use operating range
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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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Compressibility of Natural Rubber at Pressures Below 500 kg/cm², J. Res. NBS 68A (1964)National Institute of Standards and Technologyarchived copyRubber · Poisson's ratio: government (NBS J. Res. 68A, 1964): computed by NBS for peroxide-cured gum NR vulcanizate, 25 °C, infinitesimal deformation (0.49 in the solver: the linear element locks as the ratio nears 0.5 (nearly incompressible).)Rubber · Specific heat: government (NBS J. Res. 68A, Table 7; values observed for unvulcanized NR by Bekkedahl and Matheson), 25 °C
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Thermal Conductivity of Soft Vulcanized Natural Rubber: Selected Values (AD 643325)Defense Technical Information Centerarchived copyRubber · Thermal conductivity: government selected value (US Army Natick Laboratories TR 66-49-PR, 1966), soft vulcanized natural rubber, 25 °C
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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
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 Rubber?
Rubber is stronger: its tensile strength is 23 MPa against 5.1 MPa for Brick (4.51x).
Which is lighter, Brick or Rubber?
Rubber is lighter: 960 kg/m³ against 2,082 kg/m³ for Brick.
Which is lighter for the same job, Brick or Rubber?
For the same stiffness or strength: Rubber is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Brick
Rubber
Strong rod or tie
9.78x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
5.92x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
4.61x 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 Rubber?
Brick conducts heat better: 1.02 W/m·K against 0.151 W/m·K for Rubber.