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.
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 ADC12 stronger than Iron?
Iron is stronger: its yield strength is 186 MPa against 149 MPa for Aluminum ADC12 (25%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum ADC12 or Iron?
Aluminum ADC12 is lighter: 2,680 kg/m³ against 7,860 kg/m³ for Iron.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum ADC12 or Iron?
Iron is stiffer: Young's modulus 207 GPa against 79.8 GPa for Aluminum ADC12, so the same part in Iron deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum ADC12 or Iron?
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
Iron
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
13% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
1.82x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
2.13x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
2.35x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.53x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
2.62x 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 Iron?
Aluminum ADC12 conducts heat better: 125 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 µm/m·K for Aluminum ADC12.