Materials / Compare
Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24 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 | 220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 230MPasourcetypical | 290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical | 13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 70GPasourcetypical | 44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant) |
| Density | 2,685kg/m³sourcenominal | 1,769kg/m³sourcenominal1.52x lighter |
| Strength to weight | 72.6kN·m/kg | 124kN·m/kg1.71x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.1MN·m/kg3% higher | 25.3MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) |
| Shear modulus | 26.3GPa1.59x stiffer in shear | 16.6GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 68.6GPa | 49.8GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,106m/s | 5,032m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical | 76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated) |
| Thermal expansion | 23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 119µm growth13% less | 134µm growth |
| Specific heat | 963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38 | 1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 53.4mm²/s28% faster | 41.8mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 10,822W/m18% more resistant | 9,159W/m |
| Melting point | 605–650°Csourcemelting range | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 149°Csourcestated application limit |
| Values for | 5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat) | AZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMS |
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 Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stronger: its yield strength is 220 MPa against 195 MPa for Aluminum 5052-H32 (13%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 2,685 kg/m³ for Aluminum 5052-H32.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, 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 Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension); Magnesium AZ31B-H24 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 5052-H32 | Magnesium AZ31B-H24 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 3% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 21% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 31% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 1.71x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 1.64x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 1.61x heavier | lighter |
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 Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 76.9 W/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 5052-H32 expands less: 23.8 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.