5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)
Composite · grade comparison
5056 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 3 MPa (0.493 ksi) for 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb, about 29 times as much; tensile strength follows at 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) vs 4 MPa (0.624 ksi). 5056 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 1 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, $$) than 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb (high, $$$$).
5056 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.
5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM): 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.
5056 Aluminum HoneycombAluminum Composite Panel (ACM)
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Elongation at Break
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: UV / Weathering Resistance 90 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
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)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb | Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | PE Core |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Painting | — | Yes |
5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) — frequently asked
Is Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) stronger than 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb?
Yes. Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) has a typical yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.493 ksi) for 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb — about 29 times as much. Tensile strength is 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) vs 4 MPa (0.624 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb or Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)?
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard 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.
Which is easier to machine, 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb or Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)?
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM). Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against fair (35/100) for 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5056 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.