Materials / Compare
Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic PLA
Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic PLA 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 | 52.5MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 230MPasourcetypical | 52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) |
| Flexural strength | not sourced | 96.8MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical1.54x more ductile | 7.8%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 70GPasourcetypical21.5x stiffer | 3.25GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 2,685kg/m³sourcenominal | 1,240kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 72.6kN·m/kg1.72x higher | 42.3kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.1MN·m/kg9.95x higher | 2.62MN·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 | 1,619m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical | 0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | not sourced |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 119µm growth | not sourced |
| Specific heat | 963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38 | 1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 53.4mm²/s611x faster | 0.0874mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 10,822W/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | 605–650°Csourcemelting range | 152°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 59.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| Values for | 5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat) | Ultimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS dated April 20, 2022. |
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.
Plastic PLA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum 5052-H32 stronger than Plastic PLA?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (3.71x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 2,685 kg/m³ for Aluminum 5052-H32.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic PLA?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, 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 PLA?
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; Plastic PLA is lighter for a strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 5052-H32 | Plastic PLA |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 9.95x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.14x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 28% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 1.72x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 11% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | 12% 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 is more ductile, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic PLA?
Aluminum 5052-H32 stretches further before it breaks: 12% elongation at break against 7.8% for Plastic PLA.
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic PLA?
Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.