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5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Linear PVC Foam Core

Composite · grade comparison

5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb and Linear PVC Foam Core are both composite grades. 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 3 MPa (0.406 ksi) against 2 MPa (0.247 ksi) for Linear PVC Foam Core, about 65% more. 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb is lighter (0.05 g/cm³ vs 0.09 g/cm³ for Linear PVC Foam Core) and 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb is stiffer (0.52 GPa vs 0.05 GPa). On the shop floor, Linear PVC Foam Core machines more easily (excellent vs fair) and 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Linear PVC Foam Core (high, $$$$).

5052-H39 Aluminum HoneycombChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

Linear PVC Foam CoreChoose it when the part is machined in volume.

5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Linear PVC Foam Core: properties

5052-H39 Aluminum HoneycombLinear PVC Foam Core

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

0.52 GPa0.08 Msi
0.05 GPa0.01 Msi

Shear Modulus

0.31 GPa0.04 Msi
0.02 GPa0 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.33
0.35

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

3 MPa0.41 ksi
2 MPa0.25 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

1 MPa0.19 ksi
—

Compressive Strength

3 MPa0.37 ksi
0.9 MPa0.13 ksi

Compressive Modulus

0.52 GPa0.08 Msi
0.07 GPa0.01 Msi

Shear Strength

1 MPa0.21 ksi
0.85 MPa0.12 ksi

Elongation at Break

—
30%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

0.05 g/cm³0 lb/in³
0.09 g/cm³0 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

—
70°C158 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

2.5 W/m·K1.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.03 W/m·K0.02 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
45 µm/m·K25 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

177°C351 °F
60°C140 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-70°C-94 °F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

250°C482 °F
75°C167 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

—
27%

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

2.7×10⁻⁶ Ω·m106 µΩ·in
—

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
1.1

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

66 / 100
—

UV / Weathering Resistance

95 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

38 / 100
92 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

215 MJ/kg92,433 BTU/lb
85 MJ/kg36,543 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

14 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

10%
0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

56 kN·m/kg
19 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

10.5 MN·m/kg
0.5 MN·m/kg

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 Honeycomb

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability5052-H39 Aluminum HoneycombLinear PVC Foam Core
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Linear PVC Foam Core — frequently asked

Is 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb stronger than Linear PVC Foam Core?

Yes. 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb has a typical tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.406 ksi) against 2 MPa (0.247 ksi) for Linear PVC Foam Core — about 65% more.

Which is cheaper, 5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb or Linear PVC Foam Core?

5052-H39 Aluminum Honeycomb is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Linear PVC Foam Core is high ($$$$). 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 Linear PVC Foam Core?

Linear PVC Foam Core. Its machinability rates excellent (92/100) 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 Linear PVC Foam Core 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.