Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources3 documents: Kaiser Aluminum, U.S. Department of Defense
Aluminum
6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties (sheet, coil & plate datasheet); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J
Aluminum 5052-H32
5052-H32, Kaiser Aluminum tube & pipe typical datasheet (mechanical, CTE, melting); MIL-HDBK-5J (Poisson, density, specific heat)
1
Alloy 6061 Sheet, Coil & Plate Technical DataKaiser Aluminumarchived copyAluminum · Yield strength: typical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimenAluminum · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalAluminum · Elongation at break: typical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimenAluminum · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalAluminum · Density: nominalAluminum · Thermal conductivity: typical, 20 °CAluminum · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CAluminum · Specific heat: typical, at 100 °CAluminum · Melting point: solidus-liquidus
2
Alloy 5052 Tube & Pipe Technical DataKaiser Aluminumarchived copyAluminum 5052-H32 · Yield strength: typical, 0.2% offsetAluminum 5052-H32 · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalAluminum 5052-H32 · Elongation at break: typicalAluminum 5052-H32 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalAluminum 5052-H32 · Thermal conductivity: base material: 5052 in O temper (same alloy, annealed); Kaiser typicalAluminum 5052-H32 · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CAluminum 5052-H32 · Melting point: melting range
3
MIL-HDBK-5J, Metallic Materials and Elements for Aerospace Vehicle Structures (2003)U.S. Department of DefenseAluminum 5052-H32 · Density: nominalAluminum · Poisson's ratio: typical (handbook physical constant)Aluminum 5052-H32 · Poisson's ratio: typical (handbook physical constant)Aluminum 5052-H32 · Specific heat: at 100 °C (212 °F); table covers O, H32, H34, H36, H38
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Mechanical
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 is more ductile, Aluminum or Aluminum 5052-H32?
Aluminum stretches further before it breaks: 17% elongation at break against 12% for Aluminum 5052-H32.
Thermal
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.