Materials / Compare

Plastic PMMA vs. Plastic PTFE

Compare Plastic PMMA vs. Plastic PTFE strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Plastic PMMABulk polymer (molded or machined)
Plastic PTFEBulk polymer (molded or machined)
MechanicalPlastic PMMAPlastic PTFE
Yield strengthnot given (tensile used)9MPa1
Ultimate tensile strength80MPa22.04x stronger39.3MPa3
Compressive strength110MPa2not sourced
Flexural strength115MPa2not sourced
Elongation at break5.5%2350%363.6x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)3.3GPa2not sourced
Density1,190kg/m³21.82x lighter2,160kg/m³3
Strength to weight67.2kN·m/kg16.1x higher4.17kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight2.77MN·m/kgnot sourced
Poisson's ratio0.3720.461
Shear modulus1.2GPanot sourced
Bulk modulus4.23GPanot sourced
Speed of sound1,665m/snot sourced
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropyleneFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcretePCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic PMMA
Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropyleneFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Aluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic PMMAPlastic PTFE
Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight
ThermalPlastic PMMAPlastic PTFE
Thermal conductivity0.19W/m·K20.25W/m·K132% more heat through a fin
Thermal expansion0-50 °C70µm/m·K243% less100µm/m·K1
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing350µm growth43% less500µm growth
Specific heat1,470J/kg·K21,400J/kg·K1
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)0.109mm²/s31% faster0.0827mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance41.5W/mnot sourced
Melting pointnot sourcedsecond melting peak327°C3
Max service temperature80°C2service temperature260°C4180 °C hotter
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropyleneFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic PMMAPlastic PTFE
Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight
0.111010010100Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Thermal expansion (µm/m·K)Plastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropyleneFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPlywoodPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic PMMAPlastic PTFE
Thermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources4 documents: Chemours, Röhm
Plastic PMMA
Röhm PLEXIGLAS GS 0F00 cast acrylic sheet, typical values at 23 °C / 50 % RH (Röhm Technical Information Ref. No. 211-1)
Plastic PTFE
Chemours Teflon PTFE 7C X granular molding resin, typical values (tensile/elongation measured on 0.13 mm skived tape)
  1. 1
    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)
  2. 2
    PLEXIGLAS GS and XT Technical Information (Ref. No. 211-1)Röhmarchived copyPlastic PMMA · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, 23 °CPlastic PMMA · Compressive strength: compressive yield stress, typicalPlastic PMMA · Flexural strength: typicalPlastic PMMA · Elongation at break: typicalPlastic PMMA · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, short-termPlastic PMMA · Density: typicalPlastic PMMA · Poisson's ratio: typicalPlastic PMMA · Thermal conductivity: typicalPlastic PMMA · Thermal expansion: 0-50 °CPlastic PMMA · Specific heat: typicalPlastic PMMA · Max service temperature: max. permanent service temperature
  3. 3
    Teflon PTFE 7C X Product InformationChemoursarchived copyPlastic PTFE · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, skived tape 0.13 mmPlastic PTFE · Elongation at break: typical, skived tape 0.13 mmPlastic PTFE · Density: typical (standard specific gravity, ASTM D4894)Plastic PTFE · Melting point: second melting peak (sintered polymer), +/-10
  4. 4
    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 Plastic PMMA stronger than Plastic PTFE?

Plastic PMMA is stronger: its tensile strength is 80 MPa against yield strength 9 MPa for Plastic PTFE (8.89x).

Which is lighter, Plastic PMMA or Plastic PTFE?

Plastic PMMA is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 2,160 kg/m³ for Plastic PTFE.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PMMA or Plastic PTFE?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PMMA is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must bePlastic PMMAPlastic PTFE
Strong rod or tielighter16.1x heavier
Strong beamlighter7.79x heavier
Strong panel or platelighter5.41x 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 PMMA or Plastic PTFE?

Plastic PTFE stretches further before it breaks: 350% elongation at break against 5.5% for Plastic PMMA.

Thermal

Which handles higher temperatures, Plastic PMMA or Plastic PTFE?

Plastic PTFE does: 260 °C against 80 °C for Plastic PMMA.

Which conducts heat better, Plastic PMMA or Plastic PTFE?

Plastic PTFE conducts heat better: 0.25 W/m·K against 0.19 W/m·K for Plastic PMMA.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic PMMA expands less: 70 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic PTFE.

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