Materials / Compare
Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic UHMWPE
Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic UHMWPE 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 | 20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 230MPasourcetypical | 43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min |
| Elongation at break | 12%sourcetypical | 465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527 |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 70GPasourcetypical | 0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min |
| Density | 2,685kg/m³sourcenominal | 930kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 72.6kN·m/kg3.38x higher | 21.5kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 26.1MN·m/kg36.7x higher | 0.71MN·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 | 842m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical | 0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE) |
| Thermal expansion | 23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 119µm growth8.4x less | 1,000µm growth |
| Specific heat | 963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38 | not sourced |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 53.4mm²/s | not sourced |
| Thermal shock resistance | 10,822W/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | 605–650°Csourcemelting range | 130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature |
| Values for | 5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat) | Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named) |
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 UHMWPE?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (9.75x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 2,685 kg/m³ for Aluminum 5052-H32.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic UHMWPE?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, 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 UHMWPE?
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 | Plastic UHMWPE |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 36.7x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 3.57x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 1.64x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 3.38x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 1.58x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 8% 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 UHMWPE?
Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 0.4 W/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 5052-H32 expands less: 23.8 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.