Materials / Compare
Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Copper C110
Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Copper C110 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 | 195MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset | 69MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 230MPasourcetypical | 221MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical | 55%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 70GPasourcetypical | 117GPasourcetypical1.67x stiffer |
| Density | 2,685kg/m³sourcenominal3.32x lighter | 8,913kg/m³sourcenominal |
| Strength to weight | 72.6kN·m/kg9.38x higher | 7.74kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.1MN·m/kg1.98x higher | 13.1MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-K32 = Cu-ETP = C11000, rolled products) |
| Shear modulus | 26.3GPa | 43.7GPa1.66x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 68.6GPa | 122GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,106m/s | 3,626m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical | 391W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 16.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C41% less |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 119µm growth | 84.5µm growth41% less |
| Specific heat | 963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38 | 385J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 53.4mm²/s | 114mm²/s2.13x faster |
| Thermal shock resistance | 10,822W/m20% more resistant | 8,992W/m |
| Melting point | 605–650°Csourcemelting range | 1,065–1,083°Csourcesolidus-liquidus |
| Values for | 5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat) | C11000 ETP copper, annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 1 in. rod, copper.org typical values |
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 5052-H32 stronger than Copper C110?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C110 (2.83x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Copper C110?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter: 2,685 kg/m³ against 8,913 kg/m³ for Copper C110.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Copper C110?
Copper C110 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 70 GPa for Aluminum 5052-H32, so the same part in Copper C110 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Copper C110?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 5052-H32 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 | Aluminum 5052-H32 | Copper C110 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 1.98x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.57x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.8x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 9.38x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 6.64x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 5.58x 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 5052-H32 or Copper C110?
Copper C110 conducts heat better: 391 W/m·K against 138 W/m·K for Aluminum 5052-H32.
Which expands less with temperature?
Copper C110 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 23.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum 5052-H32.