Materials / Compare
Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic HDPE
Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic HDPE 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 | 24MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C, 50 mm/min ISO 527 |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 230MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 70GPasourcetypical | 0.9GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus 23 °C ISO 527 |
| Density | 2,685kg/m³sourcenominal | 950kg/m³sourcetypical, ISO 1183 |
| Strength to weight | 72.6kN·m/kg2.87x higher | 25.3kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.1MN·m/kg27.5x higher | 0.947MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.4–0.45sourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE) |
| Shear modulus | 26.3GPa83.3x stiffer in shear | 0.316GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 68.6GPa | 2GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,106m/s | 973m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical | 0.4–0.49W/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE) |
| Thermal expansion | 23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 120µm/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 119µm growth5.04x less | 600µm growth |
| Specific heat | 963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38 | 2,250J/kg·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 53.4mm²/s256x faster | 0.208mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 10,822W/m190x more resistant | 56.9W/m |
| Melting point | 605–650°Csourcemelting range | not sourced |
| Values for | 5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat) | LyondellBasell Hostalen 23050 B high density polyethylene, typical ISO 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 Plastic HDPE?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against 24 MPa for Plastic HDPE (8.13x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic HDPE?
Plastic HDPE is lighter: 950 kg/m³ against 2,685 kg/m³ for Aluminum 5052-H32.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic HDPE?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70 GPa against 0.9 GPa for Plastic HDPE, so the same part in Aluminum 5052-H32 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic HDPE?
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.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 5052-H32 | Plastic HDPE |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 27.5x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 3.12x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 1.51x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 2.87x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 43% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | about equal | about equal |
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 Plastic HDPE?
Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 0.445 W/m·K for Plastic HDPE.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 5052-H32 expands less: 23.8 µm/m·K against 120 µm/m·K for Plastic HDPE.