5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core
Composite · grade comparison
5056 Aluminum Honeycomb and Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core are both composite grades. Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) against 4 MPa (0.624 ksi) for 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb, about 63% more. 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb is lighter (0.05 g/cm³ vs 0.13 g/cm³ for Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core) and Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core is stiffer (1.4 GPa vs 1 GPa). On the shop floor, 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb machines more easily (fair vs poor).
5056 Aluminum HoneycombChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
Stainless Steel Honeycomb CoreChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Stainless Steel Honeycomb 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 HoneycombStainless Steel Honeycomb 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
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
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
Polishability
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 | Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core — frequently asked
Is Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core stronger than 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb?
Yes. Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core has a typical tensile strength of 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) against 4 MPa (0.624 ksi) for 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb — about 63% more.
Which is cheaper, 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb or Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core?
5056 Aluminum Honeycomb. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for Stainless Steel Honeycomb Core.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb and Stainless Steel Honeycomb 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.