Aluminum 7050-T7451 vs. Steel A992

Compare Aluminum 7050-T7451 vs. Steel A992 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	469MPasourcetypical, longitudinal, 0.2% offset	385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC
Ultimate tensile strength	524MPasourcetypical, longitudinal	505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey)
Elongation at break	11%sourcetypical, longitudinal	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	70.3GPasourcetypical	200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16)
Density	2,830kg/m³sourcenominal	7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data)
Strength to weight	166kN·m/kg3.38x higher	49kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	24.8MN·m/kg	25.5MN·m/kg3% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)	0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary)
Shear modulus	26.4GPa	76.9GPa2.91x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	68.9GPa	167GPa
Speed of sound	4,984m/s	5,048m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	157W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C
Thermal expansion	23.5µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth	60µm growth1.96x less
Specific heat	860J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	64.5mm²/s4.96x faster	13mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	29,862W/m5.54x more resistant	5,390W/m
Melting point	524–635°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Values for	7050-T7451 plate, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet (longitudinal); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards.

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 7050-T7451 stronger than Steel A992?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 is stronger: its yield strength is 469 MPa against 385 MPa for Steel A992 (22%).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Steel A992?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 is lighter: 2,830 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel A992.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Steel A992?

Steel A992 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 70.3 GPa for Aluminum 7050-T7451, so the same part in Steel A992 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or Steel A992?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 7050-T7451 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Steel A992 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must be	Aluminum 7050-T7451	Steel A992
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	3% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.64x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.96x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	3.38x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	3.16x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	3.06x 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 7050-T7451 or Steel A992?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 conducts heat better: 157 W/m·K against 48 W/m·K for Steel A992.

Which expands less with temperature?

Steel A992 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 23.5 µm/m·K for Aluminum 7050-T7451.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density