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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Röhm PLEXIGLAS GS 0F00 cast acrylic sheet, typical values at 23 °C / 50 % RH (Röhm Technical Information Ref. No. 211-1)
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)
1
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
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
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.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Plastic PMMA stronger than Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic PMMA is stronger: its tensile strength is 80 MPa against yield strength 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (4x).
Which is lighter, Plastic PMMA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for Plastic PMMA.
Which is stiffer, Plastic PMMA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic PMMA is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.3 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in Plastic PMMA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PMMA or Plastic UHMWPE?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PMMA 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 PMMA
Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
3.91x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
1.75x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
34% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
3.13x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
1.97x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
1.56x 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 UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE stretches further before it breaks: 465% elongation at break against 5.5% for Plastic PMMA.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Plastic PMMA or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE conducts heat better: 0.4 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 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.