Materials / Compare

Aluminum A380 vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24

Compare Aluminum A380 vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Aluminum A380Cast
Magnesium AZ31B-H24Wrought
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Mechanical
Yield strength160MPasourcetypical, 25 °C220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress
Ultimate tensile strength320MPasourcetypical, 25 °C290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm
Elongation at break3.5%sourcetypical13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A
Young's modulus (stiffness)71GPasourcetypical, 25 °C44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Density2,713kg/m³sourcetypical at 68 °F1,769kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight59kN·m/kg124kN·m/kg2.11x higher
Stiffness to weight26.2MN·m/kg3% higher25.3MN·m/kg
Poisson's rationot sourced0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Shear modulusnot sourced16.6GPa
Bulk modulusnot sourced49.8GPa
Speed of sound5,116m/s5,032m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity96.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated)
Thermal expansion21.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 68-572 °F (20-300 °C)26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing109µm growth23% less134µm growth
Specific heat963J/kg·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)36.8mm²/s41.8mm²/s14% faster
Thermal shock resistancenot sourced9,159W/m
Max service temperaturenot sourced149°Csourcestated application limit
Values forA380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.AZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMS

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 Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is stronger: its yield strength is 220 MPa against 160 MPa for Aluminum A380 (38%).

Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 2,713 kg/m³ for Aluminum A380.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Aluminum A380 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, so the same part in Aluminum A380 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum A380 or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum A380 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension); Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must beAluminum A380Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Stiff rod or tie (tension)lighter3% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)22% heavierlighter
Stiff panel or plate32% heavierlighter
Strong rod or tie2.11x heavierlighter
Strong beam1.9x heavierlighter
Strong panel or plate1.8x heavierlighter

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 Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Aluminum A380 conducts heat better: 96.2 W/m·K against 76.9 W/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum A380 expands less: 21.8 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.

Among 72 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Aluminum A380Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Aluminum A380Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Strength against density

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