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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Ultimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS dated April 20, 2022.
Plastic UHMWPE
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)
GUR UHMW-PE Overview (GUR-015)CelanesePlastic UHMWPE · Yield strength: typical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/minPlastic UHMWPE · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/minPlastic UHMWPE · Elongation at break: typical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527Plastic UHMWPE · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/minPlastic UHMWPE · Density: typicalPlastic UHMWPE · Melting point: DSC 10 K/minPlastic UHMWPE · Max service temperature: recommended max constant operating temperature
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Engineering Properties of Ingeo BiopolymerNatureWorksarchived copyPlastic PLA · Thermal conductivity: base material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °CPlastic PLA · Specific heat: base material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C
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GUR UHMW-PE Polymer Guide (GUR-003)Celanesearchived copyPlastic UHMWPE · Thermal conductivity: typical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE)Plastic UHMWPE · Thermal expansion: typical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE)
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.
Plastic PLA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Plastic PLA stronger than Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic PLA is stronger: its yield strength is 52.5 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (2.63x).
Which is lighter, Plastic PLA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,240 kg/m³ for Plastic PLA.
Which is stiffer, Plastic PLA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic PLA is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.25 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in Plastic PLA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PLA or Plastic UHMWPE?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PLA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Plastic PLA
Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
3.69x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
1.66x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
28% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.97x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
43% heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
22% 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 is more ductile, Plastic PLA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE stretches further before it breaks: 465% elongation at break against 7.8% for Plastic PLA.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Plastic PLA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE conducts heat better: 0.4 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.