Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources3 documents: Kaiser Aluminum, Magnesium Elektron, U.S. Department of Defense
Aluminum 3003-O
3003-O (annealed) aluminium-manganese alloy, the heat-exchanger tube and brazing alloy, Kaiser Aluminum Tube & Pipe Alloy 3003 Technical Data (Rev. 05/06), typical properties; specific heat from the NIST cryogenic 3003-F fit at 293 K.
Alloy 3003 Tube & Pipe Technical Data, Rev. 05/06Kaiser Aluminumarchived copyAluminum 3003-O · Yield strength: typical, O, 0.0625 in specimenAluminum 3003-O · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, OAluminum 3003-O · Elongation at break: typical, O, in 4DAluminum 3003-O · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalAluminum 3003-O · Density: nominal, 20 °CAluminum 3003-O · Thermal conductivity: typical, O, 20 °CAluminum 3003-O · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CAluminum 3003-O · Melting point: melting range
2
Elektron AZ31B Sheet, Plate & Coil (Datasheet 482)Magnesium Elektronarchived copyMagnesium AZ31B-H24 · Yield strength: typical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stressMagnesium AZ31B-H24 · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, H24, 0.5-6 mmMagnesium AZ31B-H24 · Elongation at break: typical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√AMagnesium AZ31B-H24 · Thermal conductivity: typical (temper/temperature not stated)Magnesium AZ31B-H24 · Thermal expansion: typical (temperature range not stated)Magnesium AZ31B-H24 · Specific heat: typical
3
MIL-HDBK-5J, Metallic Materials and Elements for Aerospace Vehicle Structures (2003)U.S. Department of DefenseMagnesium AZ31B-H24 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical (handbook physical constant)Magnesium AZ31B-H24 · Density: nominalMagnesium AZ31B-H24 · Poisson's ratio: typical (handbook physical constant)Magnesium AZ31B-H24 · Max service temperature: stated application limit
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Aluminum 3003-O stronger than Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stronger: its yield strength is 220 MPa against 40 MPa for Aluminum 3003-O (5.5x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 3003-O or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 2,730 kg/m³ for Aluminum 3003-O.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 3003-O or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Aluminum 3003-O is stiffer: Young's modulus 69 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, so the same part in Aluminum 3003-O deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 3003-O or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
For the same stiffness or strength: Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum 3003-O
Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
about equal
about equal
Stiff beam (bending)
24% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
34% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
8.49x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
4.81x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
3.62x 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 is more ductile, Aluminum 3003-O or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Aluminum 3003-O stretches further before it breaks: 30% elongation at break against 13% for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 3003-O or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?
Aluminum 3003-O conducts heat better: 193 W/m·K against 76.9 W/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum 3003-O expands less: 23.2 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.