Aluminum ADC12 vs. Glass

Compare Aluminum ADC12 vs. Glass 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)	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	345MPasourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	41MPasourcetypical mean surface tensile stress at fracture (MOR), 60 s load, weathered, 50% breakage probability
Flexural strength	not sourced	41MPasourcemean MOR (same value as tensile)
Elongation at break	2.3%sourceone test result, as cast, ASTM tensile bar (Daiki)	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	79.8GPasourcestandard value (S.S.Aluminum)	72GPasourcetypical
Density	2,680kg/m³sourcemeasured (Daiki)	2,500kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	55.6kN·m/kg3.39x higher	16.4kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	29.8MN·m/kg3% higher	28.8MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.22sourcetypical
Shear modulus	not sourced	29.5GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	42.9GPa
Speed of sound	5,457m/s	5,367m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	125W/m·Ksourcemeasured on specimens cut from a 50 x 100 x 5 mm flat die casting (Daiki)	0.937W/m·Ksourcetypical at 75 F
Thermal expansion	21µm/m·Ksourcemeasured, temperature range not stated (Daiki)	8.3µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 75-575 F
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	105µm growth	41.5µm growth2.53x less
Specific heat	911J/kg·Ksourcemeasured (Daiki)	880J/kg·Ksourcetypical at 75 F
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	51.2mm²/s120x faster	0.426mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	50.1W/m
Melting point	515–582°Csourcesolidus-liquidus (Daiki)	not sourced
Max service temperature	not sourced	511°Csourcestrain point (ASTM C336) - stress-relaxation onset, not a rated service limit
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.	Annealed soda-lime-silica float glass, Pilkington North America Technical Bulletin ATS-129 (04/2025)

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 Glass?

Aluminum ADC12 is stronger: its yield strength is 149 MPa against tensile strength 41 MPa for Glass (3.63x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum ADC12 or Glass?

Glass is lighter: 2,500 kg/m³ against 2,680 kg/m³ for Aluminum ADC12.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum ADC12 or Glass?

Aluminum ADC12 is stiffer: Young's modulus 79.8 GPa against 72 GPa for Glass, so the same part in Aluminum ADC12 deflects less under the same load.

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

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

Part that must be	Aluminum ADC12	Glass
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	2% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	4% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	3.39x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	2.2x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	1.78x 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 Glass?

Aluminum ADC12 conducts heat better: 125 W/m·K against 0.937 W/m·K for Glass.

Which expands less with temperature?

Glass expands less: 8.3 µm/m·K against 21 µm/m·K for Aluminum ADC12.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density