5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs End-Grain Balsa Core
Composite · grade comparison
5056 Aluminum Honeycomb and End-Grain Balsa Core are both composite grades. End-Grain Balsa Core is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 13 MPa (1.94 ksi) against 4 MPa (0.624 ksi) for 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb, about 3.1 times as much. 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb is lighter (0.05 g/cm³ vs 0.15 g/cm³ for End-Grain Balsa Core) and End-Grain Balsa Core is stiffer (4.1 GPa vs 1 GPa). On the shop floor, End-Grain Balsa Core machines more easily (excellent vs fair).
5056 Aluminum HoneycombChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
End-Grain Balsa CoreChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs End-Grain Balsa Core: 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 HoneycombEnd-Grain Balsa Core
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
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
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
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
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)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
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 | End-Grain Balsa Core |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs End-Grain Balsa Core — frequently asked
Is End-Grain Balsa Core stronger than 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb?
Yes. End-Grain Balsa Core has a typical tensile strength of 13 MPa (1.94 ksi) against 4 MPa (0.624 ksi) for 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb — about 3.1 times as much.
Which is cheaper, 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb or End-Grain Balsa Core?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb or End-Grain Balsa Core?
End-Grain Balsa Core. Its machinability rates excellent (92/100) 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 End-Grain Balsa 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.