Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Aluminum 5052-H32

Compare Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Aluminum 5052-H32 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Aluminum 2024-T351Wrought

Mechanical
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Yield strength	324MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	195MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	469MPasourcetypical2.04x stronger	230MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	19%sourcetypical, in 4D	12%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	73.1GPasourcetypical	70GPasourcetypical
Density	2,770kg/m³sourcenominal	2,685kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight	117kN·m/kg1.61x higher	72.6kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	26.4MN·m/kg1% higher	26.1MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant), all tempers	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Shear modulus	27.5GPa4% stiffer in shear	26.3GPa
Bulk modulus	71.7GPa	68.6GPa
Speed of sound	5,137m/s	5,106m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	120W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical
Thermal expansion	22.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	115µm growth4% less	119µm growth
Specific heat	875J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	49.5mm²/s	53.4mm²/s8% faster
Thermal shock resistance	15,561W/m44% more resistant	10,822W/m
Melting point	502–638°Csourcemelting range	605–650°Csourcemelting range
Values for	2024-T4/T351, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat)

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 2024-T351 stronger than Aluminum 5052-H32?

Aluminum 2024-T351 is stronger: its yield strength is 324 MPa against 195 MPa for Aluminum 5052-H32 (1.66x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Aluminum 5052-H32?

Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter: 2,685 kg/m³ against 2,770 kg/m³ for Aluminum 2024-T351.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Aluminum 5052-H32?

Aluminum 2024-T351 is stiffer: Young's modulus 73.1 GPa against 70 GPa for Aluminum 5052-H32, so the same part in Aluminum 2024-T351 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Aluminum 5052-H32?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 2024-T351 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter for a stiff panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 2024-T351	Aluminum 5052-H32
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	1% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	about equal	about equal
Stiff panel or plate	2% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.61x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	36% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	25% 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 2024-T351 or Aluminum 5052-H32?

Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 120 W/m·K for Aluminum 2024-T351.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 2024-T351 expands less: 22.9 µm/m·K against 23.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum 5052-H32.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density