Materials / Compare
Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic PTFE
Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic PTFE 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 | 9MPasourcetypical yield strength at 23 °C (Teflon PTFE, Table 8) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 230MPasourcetypical | 39.3MPasourcetypical, skived tape 0.13 mm |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical | 350%sourcetypical, skived tape 0.13 mm |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 70GPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Density | 2,685kg/m³sourcenominal | 2,160kg/m³sourcetypical (standard specific gravity, ASTM D4894) |
| Strength to weight | 72.6kN·m/kg17.4x higher | 4.17kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.1MN·m/kg | not sourced |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.46sourcetypical, 23 °C (Teflon PTFE resins, Chemours handbook) |
| Shear modulus | 26.3GPa | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | 68.6GPa | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 5,106m/s | not sourced |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical | 0.25W/m·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 4.6 mm specimen |
| Thermal expansion | 23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 100µm/m·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 23-60 °C (ASTM E228) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 119µm growth4.2x less | 500µm growth |
| Specific heat | 963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38 | 1,400J/kg·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 20 °C (ASTM D4591) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 53.4mm²/s646x faster | 0.0827mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 10,822W/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | 605–650°Csourcemelting range | 327°Csourcesecond melting peak (sintered polymer), +/-10 |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 260°Csourceservice temperature (Chemours general Teflon PTFE statement) |
| Values for | 5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat) | Chemours Teflon PTFE 7C X granular molding resin, typical values (tensile/elongation measured on 0.13 mm skived tape) |
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 PTFE?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against 9 MPa for Plastic PTFE (21.7x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic PTFE?
Plastic PTFE is lighter: 2,160 kg/m³ against 2,685 kg/m³ for Aluminum 5052-H32.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic PTFE?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 5052-H32 | Plastic PTFE |
|---|---|---|
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 17.4x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 6.25x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 3.74x 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 Plastic PTFE?
Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 0.25 W/m·K for Plastic PTFE.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 5052-H32 expands less: 23.8 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic PTFE.