Aluminum 5052-H32 vs. Plastic PBT GF30

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

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Plastic PBT GF30Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	195MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	230MPasourcetypical	140MPasourcestress at break, 23 °C
Flexural strength	not sourced	210MPasourcetypical, 23 °C
Elongation at break	12%sourcetypical	3%sourcestrain at break, 23 °C
Young's modulus (stiffness)	70GPasourcetypical	9.8GPasourcetypical, 23 °C
Density	2,685kg/m³sourcenominal	1,530kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	72.6kN·m/kg	91.5kN·m/kg26% higher
Stiffness to weight	26.1MN·m/kg4.07x higher	6.41MN·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	2,531m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical	0.27W/m·Ksourcetypical (DIN 52612-1)
Thermal expansion	23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	25µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal (flow), mean 23-55 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	119µm growth5% less	125µm growth
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38	1,050J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 23 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	53.4mm²/s318x faster	0.168mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	10,822W/m	not sourced
Melting point	605–650°Csourcemelting range	223°CsourceDSC (ISO 11357)
Max service temperature	not sourced	205°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa
Values for	5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat)	BASF Ultradur B 4300 G6 (PBT, 30% glass fibre), injection moulding grade; product information sheet 09/2026, typical values for uncoloured product at 23 °C.

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 PBT GF30?

Aluminum 5052-H32 is stronger: its yield strength is 195 MPa against tensile strength 140 MPa for Plastic PBT GF30 (39%).

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

Plastic PBT GF30 is lighter: 1,530 kg/m³ against 2,685 kg/m³ for Aluminum 5052-H32.

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

Aluminum 5052-H32 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70 GPa against 9.8 GPa for Plastic PBT 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 PBT 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; Plastic PBT GF30 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 5052-H32	Plastic PBT GF30
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	4.07x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.52x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	10% heavier
Strong rod or tie	26% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	41% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	49% 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 PBT GF30?

Aluminum 5052-H32 conducts heat better: 138 W/m·K against 0.27 W/m·K for Plastic PBT GF30.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 5052-H32 expands less: 23.8 µm/m·K against 25 µm/m·K for Plastic PBT GF30.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density