5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP)
Composite · grade comparison
5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb and Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP) are both composite grades. Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP) is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 4 MPa (0.537 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.406 ksi) for 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb, about 32% more. 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb is lighter (0.05 g/cm³ vs 0.06 g/cm³ for Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP)) and 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb is stiffer (0.52 GPa vs 0.28 GPa). On the shop floor, 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP) (high, $$$$).
5052-H39 Aluminum HoneycombChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP)Choose it when strength drives the design.
5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP): 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 HoneycombFiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP)
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
Glass Transition (Tg)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 177°C351 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
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)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
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 | Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP) |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP) — frequently asked
Is Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP) stronger than 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb?
Yes. Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP) has a typical tensile strength of 4 MPa (0.537 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.406 ksi) for 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb — about 32% more.
Which is cheaper, 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb or Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP)?
5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP) 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 Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP)?
Pick 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor. Pick Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP) when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb and Fiberglass/Phenolic Honeycomb (HRP) 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.