Materials / Compare
Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Steel A992
Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Steel A992 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 | 385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 230MPasourcetypical | 505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey) |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 70GPasourcetypical | 200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16) |
| Density | 2,685kg/m³sourcenominal | 7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data) |
| Strength to weight | 72.6kN·m/kg48% higher | 49kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.1MN·m/kg2% higher | 25.5MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary) |
| Shear modulus | 26.3GPa | 76.9GPa2.92x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 68.6GPa | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,106m/s | 5,048m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical | 48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 119µm growth | 60µm growth1.98x less |
| Specific heat | 963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38 | 460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 53.4mm²/s4.1x faster | 13mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 10,822W/m2.01x more resistant | 5,390W/m |
| Melting point | 605–650°Csourcemelting range | not sourced |
| Values for | 5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat) | ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards. |
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 Steel A992?
Steel A992 is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 195 MPa for Aluminum 5052-H32 (1.97x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Steel A992?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter: 2,685 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel A992.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Steel A992?
Steel A992 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 70 GPa for Aluminum 5052-H32, so the same part in Steel A992 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Steel A992?
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, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum 5052-H32 | Steel A992 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 2% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 1.73x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.06x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 48% heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 1.86x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 2.08x 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 Steel A992?
Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 48 W/m·K for Steel A992.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel A992 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 23.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum 5052-H32.