Aluminum ADC12 vs. Copper C110

Compare Aluminum ADC12 vs. Copper C110 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	149MPasourceone test result, 0.2% proof stress, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	69MPasourcetypical, 0.5% extension under load
Ultimate tensile strength	345MPasourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	221MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	2.3%sourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	55%sourcetypical, 1 in. rod
Young's modulus (stiffness)	79.8GPasourcestandard value (S.S.Aluminum)	117GPasourcetypical
Density	2,680kg/m³sourcemeasured (Daiki)	8,913kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight	55.6kN·m/kg7.18x higher	7.74kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	29.8MN·m/kg2.26x higher	13.1MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.34sourcereference value at room temperature (Wieland-K32 = Cu-ETP = C11000, rolled products)
Shear modulus	not sourced	43.7GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	122GPa
Speed of sound	5,457m/s	3,626m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	125W/m·Ksourcemeasured on specimens cut from a 50 x 100 x 5 mm flat die casting (Daiki)	391W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C
Thermal expansion	21µm/m·Ksourcemeasured, temperature range not stated (Daiki)	16.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	105µm growth	84.5µm growth24% less
Specific heat	911J/kg·Ksourcemeasured (Daiki)	385J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	51.2mm²/s	114mm²/s2.22x faster
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	8,992W/m
Melting point	515–582°Csourcesolidus-liquidus (Daiki)	1,065–1,083°Csourcesolidus-liquidus
Values for	JIS ADC12 (Al-Si-Cu, about A383 / EN AC-46100) high-pressure die-casting alloy, as cast; physical properties from Daiki Aluminium Industry (ADC12 ingot producer) measured values; modulus from S.S.Aluminum (ADC12 ingot producer) standard values.	C11000 ETP copper, annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 1 in. rod, copper.org typical values

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 ADC12 stronger than Copper C110?

Aluminum ADC12 is stronger: its yield strength is 149 MPa against 69 MPa for Copper C110 (2.16x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum ADC12 or Copper C110?

Aluminum ADC12 is lighter: 2,680 kg/m³ against 8,913 kg/m³ for Copper C110.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum ADC12 or Copper C110?

Copper C110 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 79.8 GPa for Aluminum ADC12, so the same part in Copper C110 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum ADC12 or Copper C110?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum ADC12 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum ADC12	Copper C110
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	2.26x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.74x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.93x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	7.18x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	5.56x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	4.89x 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 ADC12 or Copper C110?

Copper C110 conducts heat better: 391 W/m·K against 125 W/m·K for Aluminum ADC12.

Which expands less with temperature?

Copper C110 expands less: 16.9 µm/m·K against 21 µm/m·K for Aluminum ADC12.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density