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5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Linear PVC Foam Core

Composite · grade comparison

5056 Aluminum Honeycomb and Linear PVC Foam Core are both composite grades. 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 4 MPa (0.624 ksi) against 2 MPa (0.247 ksi) for Linear PVC Foam Core, about 153% more. 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb is lighter (0.05 g/cm³ vs 0.09 g/cm³ for Linear PVC Foam Core) and 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb is stiffer (1 GPa vs 0.05 GPa). On the shop floor, Linear PVC Foam Core machines more easily (excellent vs fair).

5056 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.

5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Linear PVC Foam Core: properties

5056 Aluminum HoneycombLinear PVC Foam Core

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

1 GPa0.15 Msi
0.05 GPa0.01 Msi

Shear Modulus

0.6 GPa0.09 Msi
0.02 GPa0 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

4 MPa0.62 ksi
2 MPa0.25 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

3 MPa0.49 ksi
—

Compressive Strength

4 MPa0.55 ksi
0.9 MPa0.13 ksi

Compressive Modulus

1 GPa0.15 Msi
0.07 GPa0.01 Msi

Shear Strength

2 MPa0.32 ksi
0.85 MPa0.12 ksi

Poisson's Ratio

—
0.35

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

2.2 W/m·K1.3 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)

24.1 µm/m·K13.4 µin/in·°F
45 µm/m·K25 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

175°C347 °F
60°C140 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-70°C-94 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

—
27%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

—
75°C167 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

3.2×10⁻⁶ Ω·m126 µΩ·in
—

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
1.1

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
—

UV / Weathering Resistance

90 / 100
40 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
92 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb
85 MJ/kg36,543 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

16.5 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)

86 kN·m/kg
19 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

20.6 MN·m/kg
0.5 MN·m/kg

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.

1101001,000510Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale5056 Aluminum Honeycomb

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability5056 Aluminum HoneycombLinear PVC Foam Core
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Linear PVC Foam Core — frequently asked

Is 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb stronger than Linear PVC Foam Core?

Yes. 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb has a typical tensile strength of 4 MPa (0.624 ksi) against 2 MPa (0.247 ksi) for Linear PVC Foam Core — about 153% more.

Which is cheaper, 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb or Linear PVC Foam 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 Linear PVC Foam Core?

Linear PVC Foam 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 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.