Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic LCP GF30

Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic LCP GF30 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Change either side

Plastic LCP GF30Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser	Open in LessCAD	Open in LessCAD
Yield strength	195MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	230MPasourcetypical	115MPasourcetensile strength (ISO 527)
Flexural strength	not sourced	184MPasourcetypical (ISO 178)
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical	1.5%sourcetensile elongation (ISO 527)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	70GPasourcetypical	11.5GPasourcetensile modulus (ISO 527)
Density	2,685kg/m³sourcenominal	1,610kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	72.6kN·m/kg2% higher	71.4kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	26.1MN·m/kg3.65x higher	7.14MN·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	2,673m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical	0.5W/m·Ksourcehot disk (ISO 22007-2), temperature not stated
Thermal expansion	23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	20µm/m·Ksourceflow direction (MD), mean 50-150 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	119µm growth	100µm growth19% less
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38	839J/kg·KsourceASTM E1269, temperature not stated
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	53.4mm²/s144x faster	0.37mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	10,822W/m	not sourced
Melting point	605–650°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Max service temperature	not sourced	288°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (ISO 75)
Values for	5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat)	Sumitomo Chemical SUMIKASUPER LCP E6006L (30% glass fibre; high strength, low shrinkage); SUMIKASUPER LCP Technical Note, Version 04 / Nov. 2023, typical values.

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 LCP GF30?

Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against tensile strength 115 MPa for Plastic LCP GF30 (1.7x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter: 1,610 kg/m³ against 2,685 kg/m³ for Aluminum 5052-H32.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum 5052-H32 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70 GPa against 11.5 GPa for Plastic LCP GF30, 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 LCP GF30?

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; Plastic LCP GF30 is lighter for a strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 5052-H32	Plastic LCP GF30
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3.65x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	48% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	9% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2% heavier
Strong beam	17% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	28% 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 5052-H32 or Plastic LCP GF30?

Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 0.5 W/m·K for Plastic LCP GF30.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic LCP GF30 expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 23.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum 5052-H32.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density