511°Csourcestrain point (ASTM C336) - stress-relaxation onset, not a rated service limit
Values for
5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat)
Annealed soda-lime-silica float glass, Pilkington North America Technical Bulletin ATS-129 (04/2025)
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 Glass?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against tensile strength 41 MPa for Glass (4.76x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Glass?
Glass is lighter: 2,500 kg/m³ against 2,685 kg/m³ for Aluminum 5052-H32.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Glass?
Glass is stiffer: Young's modulus 72 GPa against 70 GPa for Aluminum 5052-H32, so the same part in Glass deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Glass?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Glass is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum 5052-H32
Glass
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
10% heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
9% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
8% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
lighter
4.43x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.63x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
2.03x 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 Glass?
Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 0.937 W/m·K for Glass.
Which expands less with temperature?
Glass expands less: 8.3 µm/m·K against 23.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum 5052-H32.