Aluminum 1100-O vs. Steel A992

Compare Aluminum 1100-O vs. Steel A992 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	35MPasourcetypical, O, 0.0625 in specimen	385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC
Ultimate tensile strength	90MPasourcetypical, O	505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey)
Elongation at break	35%sourcetypical, O, in 4D	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	69GPasourcetypical	200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16)
Density	2,710kg/m³sourcenominal, 20 °C	7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data)
Strength to weight	12.9kN·m/kg	49kN·m/kg3.8x higher
Stiffness to weight	25.5MN·m/kg	25.5MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary)
Shear modulus	not sourced	76.9GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	167GPa
Speed of sound	5,046m/s	5,048m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	222W/m·Ksourcetypical, O, 20 °C	48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C
Thermal expansion	23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth	60µm growth1.97x less
Specific heat	901J/kg·Ksourcebase material: commercially pure aluminium EN AW-1050A (Hydro), 20 °C	460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	90.9mm²/s6.99x faster	13mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	5,390W/m
Melting point	640–655°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Values for	1100-O (annealed) commercially pure aluminium, Kaiser Aluminum Tube & Pipe Alloy 1100 Technical Data (Rev. 05/06), typical properties; specific heat from Hydro EN AW-1050A (99.5% Al) extruded-products datasheet (10/2018).	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 1100-O stronger than Steel A992?

Steel A992 is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 35 MPa for Aluminum 1100-O (11x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 1100-O or Steel A992?

Aluminum 1100-O is lighter: 2,710 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel A992.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 1100-O or Steel A992?

Steel A992 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 69 GPa for Aluminum 1100-O, so the same part in Steel A992 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 1100-O or Steel A992?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 1100-O is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Steel A992 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 1100-O	Steel A992
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	about equal	about equal
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.7x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.03x heavier
Strong rod or tie	3.8x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	1.71x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	14% 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 conducts heat better, Aluminum 1100-O or Steel A992?

Aluminum 1100-O conducts heat better: 222 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 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 1100-O.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density