A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.
Cleveland-Cliffs / AK Steel ARMCO Pure Iron Product Data Bulletin (07/2022): Table 1 typical physical properties, Table 2 typical mechanical properties after SRA/recrystallization anneal.
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 A380 stronger than Iron?
Iron is stronger: its yield strength is 186 MPa against 160 MPa for Aluminum A380 (16%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or Iron?
Aluminum A380 is lighter: 2,713 kg/m³ against 7,860 kg/m³ for Iron.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or Iron?
Iron is stiffer: Young's modulus 207 GPa against 71 GPa for Aluminum A380, so the same part in Iron deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum A380 or Iron?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum A380 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum A380
Iron
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
about equal
about equal
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
1.7x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
2.03x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
2.49x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.62x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
2.69x 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 A380 or Iron?
Aluminum A380 conducts heat better: 96.2 W/m·K against 73.2 W/m·K for Iron.
Which expands less with temperature?
Iron expands less: 13.7 µm/m·K against 21.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum A380.