Materials / Compare
Aluminum vs. Aluminum 5052-H32
Compare Aluminum vs. Aluminum 5052-H32 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 195MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical35% stronger | 230MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 12%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 70GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 2,685kg/m³sourcenominal |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg41% higher | 72.6kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg | 26.1MN·m/kg3% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | 26.3GPa2% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 68.6GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 5,106m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 138W/m·Ksourcebase material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typical |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 23.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth | 119µm growth |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 963J/kg·Ksourceat 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38 |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s29% faster | 53.4mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m1.77x more resistant | 10,822W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 605–650°Csourcemelting range |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties (sheet, coil & plate datasheet); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | 5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat) |
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 stronger than Aluminum 5052-H32?
Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 195 MPa for Aluminum 5052-H32 (42%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum or Aluminum 5052-H32?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter: 2,685 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum or Aluminum 5052-H32?
Aluminum 5052-H32 is stiffer: Young's modulus 70 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum, so the same part in Aluminum 5052-H32 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum or Aluminum 5052-H32?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Aluminum 5052-H32 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum | Aluminum 5052-H32 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 3% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 2% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 1% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 41% heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 25% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 18% 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 or Aluminum 5052-H32?
Aluminum conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 138 W/m·K for Aluminum 5052-H32.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 23.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum 5052-H32.