Materials / Compare
Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic PMMA
Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic PMMA 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 | 230MPasourcetypical | 80MPasourcetypical, 23 °C |
| Compressive strength | not sourced | 110MPasourcecompressive yield stress, typical |
| Flexural strength | not sourced | 115MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical2.18x more ductile | 5.5%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 70GPasourcetypical | 3.3GPasourcetypical, short-term |
| Density | 2,685kg/m³sourcenominal | 1,190kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 72.6kN·m/kg8% higher | 67.2kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.1MN·m/kg9.4x higher | 2.77MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.37sourcetypical |
| Shear modulus | 26.3GPa21.9x stiffer in shear | 1.2GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 68.6GPa | 4.23GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,106m/s | 1,665m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical | 0.19W/m·Ksourcetypical |
| Thermal expansion | 23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 70µm/m·Ksource0-50 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 119µm growth2.94x less | 350µm growth |
| Specific heat | 963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38 | 1,470J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 53.4mm²/s491x faster | 0.109mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 10,822W/m261x more resistant | 41.5W/m |
| Melting point | 605–650°Csourcemelting range | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 80°Csourcemax. permanent service temperature |
| Values for | 5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat) | Röhm PLEXIGLAS GS 0F00 cast acrylic sheet, typical values at 23 °C / 50 % RH (Röhm Technical Information Ref. No. 211-1) |
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 PMMA?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against tensile strength 80 MPa for Plastic PMMA (2.44x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic PMMA?
Plastic PMMA is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 2,685 kg/m³ for Aluminum 5052-H32.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic PMMA?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70 GPa against 3.3 GPa for Plastic PMMA, 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 PMMA?
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; Plastic PMMA is lighter for a strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 5052-H32 | Plastic PMMA |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 9.4x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.04x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 23% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 8% heavier |
| Strong beam | 25% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 45% 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 PMMA?
Aluminum 5052-H32 stretches further before it breaks: 12% elongation at break against 5.5% for Plastic PMMA.
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic PMMA?
Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 0.19 W/m·K for Plastic PMMA.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 5052-H32 expands less: 23.8 µm/m·K against 70 µm/m·K for Plastic PMMA.