Materials / Compare
Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. FDM HIPS
Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. FDM HIPS 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 | not given (tensile used) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 230MPasourcetypical12.5x stronger | 18.4MPasourcetypical |
| Flexural strength | not sourced | 31.8MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical8.57x more ductile | 1.4%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 70GPasourcetypical44.1x stiffer | 1.59GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 2,685kg/m³sourcenominal | 1,023kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 72.6kN·m/kg4.04x higher | 18kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.1MN·m/kg16.8x higher | 1.55MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | not sourced |
| Shear modulus | 26.3GPa | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | 68.6GPa | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 5,106m/s | 1,246m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical |
| Thermal expansion | 23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 80µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution PS 486N injection-molding HIPS, typical |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 119µm growth3.36x less | 400µm growth |
| Specific heat | 963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38 | not sourced |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 53.4mm²/s | not sourced |
| Thermal shock resistance | 10,822W/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | 605–650°Csourcemelting range | not sourced |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 99°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 86°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa |
| Values for | 5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat) | BASF Forward AM (BASF 3D Printing Solutions) Ultrafuse HiPS, TDS v2.2 (13.11.2019), printed specimens, XY 'Flat'. Specimen print settings are not stated; recommended processing on the sheet: nozzle 240-260 °C, bed 100-120 °C, 40-80 mm/s. Product is discontinued (Forward AM product page) but the TDS is still served by Forward AM. |
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.
FDM HIPS is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum 5052-H32 stronger than FDM HIPS?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against tensile strength 18.4 MPa for FDM HIPS (10.6x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or FDM HIPS?
FDM HIPS is lighter: 1,023 kg/m³ against 2,685 kg/m³ for Aluminum 5052-H32.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or FDM HIPS?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70 GPa against 1.59 GPa for FDM HIPS, 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 FDM HIPS?
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 | FDM HIPS |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 16.8x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.53x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 35% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 4.04x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 1.84x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 24% 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, Aluminum 5052-H32 or FDM HIPS?
Aluminum 5052-H32 stretches further before it breaks: 12% elongation at break against 1.4% for FDM HIPS.
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 5052-H32 or FDM HIPS?
Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for FDM HIPS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 5052-H32 expands less: 23.8 µm/m·K against 80 µm/m·K for FDM HIPS.