Materials / Compare
Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Iron
Compare Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Iron strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 324MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 186MPasourcetypical (0.2% YS), hot rolled + SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 469MPasourcetypical | 290MPasourcetypical, SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Elongation at break | 19%sourcetypical, in 4D | 38%sourcetypical, gauge 4D0 |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 73.1GPasourcetypical | 207GPasourcetypical, after SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Density | 2,770kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,860kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 117kN·m/kg4.94x higher | 23.7kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.4MN·m/kg | 26.3MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant), all tempers | 0.282sourceNIST critically evaluated best value (polycrystalline iron) |
| Shear modulus | 27.5GPa | 80.7GPa2.94x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 71.7GPa | 158GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,137m/s | 5,132m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 120W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 73.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 22.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 13.7µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20-399 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 115µm growth | 68.5µm growth1.67x less |
| Specific heat | 875J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 450J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 49.5mm²/s2.39x faster | 20.7mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 15,561W/m4.51x more resistant | 3,447W/m |
| Melting point | 502–638°Csourcemelting range | 1,532°Csourcetypical |
| Values for | 2024-T4/T351, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | Cleveland-Cliffs / AK Steel ARMCO Pure Iron Product Data Bulletin (07/2022): Table 1 typical physical properties, Table 2 typical mechanical properties after SRA/recrystallization anneal. |
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Is Aluminum 2024-T351 stronger than Iron?
Aluminum 2024-T351 is stronger: its yield strength is 324 MPa against 186 MPa for Iron (1.74x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Iron?
Aluminum 2024-T351 is lighter: 2,770 kg/m³ against 7,860 kg/m³ for Iron.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Iron?
Iron is stiffer: Young's modulus 207 GPa against 73.1 GPa for Aluminum 2024-T351, so the same part in Iron deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Iron?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 2024-T351 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 2024-T351 | Iron |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | about equal | about equal |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 1.69x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.01x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 4.94x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 4.11x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 3.75x 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 conducts heat better, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Iron?
Aluminum 2024-T351 conducts heat better: 120 W/m·K against 73.2 W/m·K for Iron.
Which expands less with temperature?
Iron expands less: 13.7 µm/m·K against 22.9 µm/m·K for Aluminum 2024-T351.