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5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)

Composite · grade comparison

5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb and Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) are both composite grades. Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is the stronger of the two: yield strength 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) against 1 MPa (0.189 ksi) for 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb, about 77 times as much; tensile strength follows at 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) vs 3 MPa (0.406 ksi). 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb is lighter (0.05 g/cm³ vs 1.35 g/cm³ for Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)) and Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is stiffer (70 GPa vs 0.52 GPa). On the shop floor, Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) machines more easily (very good vs fair) and Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb (premium, $$$).

5052-H39 Aluminum HoneycombChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM): properties

5052-H39 Aluminum HoneycombAluminum Composite Panel (ACM)

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

0.52 GPa0.08 Msi
70 GPa10.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

0.31 GPa0.04 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.33
—

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

3 MPa0.41 ksi
130 MPa18.9 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

1 MPa0.19 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Compressive Strength

3 MPa0.37 ksi
—

Compressive Modulus

0.52 GPa0.08 Msi
—

Shear Strength

1 MPa0.21 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

—
5%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

0.05 g/cm³0 lb/in³
1.35 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

2.5 W/m·K1.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.4 W/m·K0.23 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
—

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

23.8 µm/m·K13.2 µin/in·°F
24 µm/m·K13.3 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

177°C351 °F
80°C176 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

250°C482 °F
—

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

2.7×10⁻⁶ Ω·m106 µΩ·in
—

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

66 / 100
78 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

95 / 100
90 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

38 / 100
80 / 100

Weldability

—
5 / 100

Formability (cold)

—
55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

215 MJ/kg92,433 BTU/lb
—

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

14 kg CO₂/kg
—

Embodied Water

1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

10%
—

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

56 kN·m/kg
96 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.5 MN·m/kg
51.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

2 kJ/m³
71 kJ/m³

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

1
0

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.

1101001,000510Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale5052-H39 Aluminum HoneycombAluminum Composite Panel (ACM)

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability5052-H39 Aluminum HoneycombAluminum Composite Panel (ACM)
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—PE Core
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
Painting—Yes

5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) — frequently asked

Is Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) stronger than 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb?

Yes. Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) has a typical yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) against 1 MPa (0.189 ksi) for 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb — about 77 times as much. Tensile strength is 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) vs 3 MPa (0.406 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb or Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)?

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb or Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)?

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM). Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (38/100) for 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb and Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) 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.