5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb
Composite · grade comparison
5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb and 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb are both composite grades. 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb is the stronger of the two: yield strength 3 MPa (0.493 ksi) against 1 MPa (0.189 ksi) for 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb, about 162% more; tensile strength follows at 4 MPa (0.624 ksi) vs 3 MPa (0.406 ksi). 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb is stiffer (1 GPa vs 0.52 GPa) and 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb conducts heat better (2.5 W/m·K vs 2.2 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb (high, $$$$).
5052-H39 Aluminum HoneycombChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.
5056 Aluminum HoneycombChoose it when strength drives the design.
5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all composite grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all composite grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb5056 Aluminum Honeycomb
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 10%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every composite grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb | 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb — frequently asked
Is 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb stronger than 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb?
Yes. 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb has a typical yield strength of 3 MPa (0.493 ksi) against 1 MPa (0.189 ksi) for 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb — about 162% more. Tensile strength is 4 MPa (0.624 ksi) vs 3 MPa (0.406 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb or 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb?
5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb over 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb?
Pick 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb when cost is the deciding factor. Pick 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb and 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.