Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic Nylon PA6

Compare Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic Nylon PA6 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic Nylon PA6Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	195MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset	90MPasourcetypical, dry
Ultimate tensile strength	230MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical	10%sourcenominal strain at break, dry
Young's modulus (stiffness)	70GPasourcetypical	3.5GPasourcetypical, dry
Density	2,685kg/m³sourcenominal	1,130kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	72.6kN·m/kg	79.6kN·m/kg10% higher
Stiffness to weight	26.1MN·m/kg8.42x higher	3.1MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)	0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	26.3GPa21.1x stiffer in shear	1.25GPa
Bulk modulus	68.6GPa	5.83GPa
Speed of sound	5,106m/s	1,760m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical	0.33W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	102µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal, 23-55 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	119µm growth4.29x less	510µm growth
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38	1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	53.4mm²/s311x faster	0.172mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	10,822W/m217x more resistant	49.9W/m
Melting point	605–650°Csourcemelting range	220°CsourceDSC
Max service temperature	not sourced	87°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h
Values for	5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat)	BASF Ultramid B3S (PA6, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)

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 Nylon PA6?

Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against 90 MPa for Plastic Nylon PA6 (2.17x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic Nylon PA6?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 2,685 kg/m³ for Aluminum 5052-H32.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 5052-H32 or Plastic Nylon PA6?

Aluminum 5052-H32 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70 GPa against 3.5 GPa for Plastic Nylon PA6, 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 Nylon PA6?

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; Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 5052-H32	Plastic Nylon PA6
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	8.42x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.88x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	14% heavier
Strong rod or tie	10% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	42% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	1.61x 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 Nylon PA6?

Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 5052-H32 expands less: 23.8 µm/m·K against 102 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density