Materials / Compare
Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Iron
Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 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 | 195MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset | 186MPasourcetypical (0.2% YS), hot rolled + SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 230MPasourcetypical | 290MPasourcetypical, SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical | 38%sourcetypical, gauge 4D0 |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 70GPasourcetypical | 207GPasourcetypical, after SRA/recrystallization anneal |
| Density | 2,685kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,860kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 72.6kN·m/kg3.07x higher | 23.7kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.1MN·m/kg | 26.3MN·m/kg1% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.282sourceNIST critically evaluated best value (polycrystalline iron) |
| Shear modulus | 26.3GPa | 80.7GPa3.07x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 68.6GPa | 158GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,106m/s | 5,132m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical | 73.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 13.7µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20-399 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 119µm growth | 68.5µm growth1.74x less |
| Specific heat | 963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38 | 450J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 53.4mm²/s2.58x faster | 20.7mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 10,822W/m3.14x more resistant | 3,447W/m |
| Melting point | 605–650°Csourcemelting range | 1,532°Csourcetypical |
| Values for | 5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat) | 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 5052-H32 stronger than Iron?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against 186 MPa for Iron (5%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Iron?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter: 2,685 kg/m³ against 7,860 kg/m³ for Iron.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Iron?
Iron is stiffer: Young's modulus 207 GPa against 70 GPa for Aluminum 5052-H32, so the same part in Iron deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Iron?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Iron is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).
| Part that must be | Aluminum 5052-H32 | Iron |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 1% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 1.7x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.04x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 3.07x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 3.02x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 3x 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 Iron?
Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 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 23.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum 5052-H32.