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.
Solder SAC305
SAC305 (Sn96.5Ag3.0Cu0.5) solder alloy, bulk; Indium Corporation Indalloy 256 (SAC305) for Preforms product data sheet (Form No. 100346 R0, 2024), selected properties, test temperature not stated; expansion and specific heat from MacDermid Alpha VACULOY SAC TDS (06 September 2023).
Indalloy 256 (SAC305) for Preforms Product Data Sheet (100346 R0)Indium Corporationarchived copySolder SAC305 · Yield strength: typicalSolder SAC305 · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalSolder SAC305 · Elongation at break: typicalSolder SAC305 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, temperature and strain rate not statedSolder SAC305 · Density: typicalSolder SAC305 · Poisson's ratio: typicalSolder SAC305 · Thermal conductivity: typical, temperature not statedSolder SAC305 · Melting point: solidus-liquidus
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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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ALPHA Vaculoy SAC Alloys Technical Data Sheet (2023)MacDermid AlphaSolder SAC305 · Thermal expansion: mean, 20-100 °C (MacDermid Alpha)Solder SAC305 · Specific heat: typical (MacDermid Alpha)
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 Solder SAC305?
Plastic PLA is stronger: its yield strength is 52.5 MPa against 22 MPa for Solder SAC305 (2.39x).
Which is lighter, Plastic PLA or Solder SAC305?
Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 7,350 kg/m³ for Solder SAC305.
Which is stiffer, Plastic PLA or Solder SAC305?
Solder SAC305 is stiffer: Young's modulus 6.9 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, so the same part in Solder SAC305 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PLA or Solder SAC305?
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
Solder SAC305
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
2.79x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
4.07x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
4.61x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
14.1x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
10.6x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
9.16x 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 Solder SAC305?
Solder SAC305 stretches further before it breaks: 49% elongation at break against 7.8% for Plastic PLA.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Plastic PLA or Solder SAC305?
Solder SAC305 conducts heat better: 61 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.