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5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Titanium Honeycomb Core

Composite · grade comparison

5056 Aluminum Honeycomb and Titanium Honeycomb Core are both composite grades. Titanium Honeycomb Core is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 10 MPa (1.38 ksi) against 4 MPa (0.624 ksi) for 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb, about 121% more. 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb is lighter (0.05 g/cm³ vs 0.1 g/cm³ for Titanium Honeycomb Core) and Titanium Honeycomb Core is stiffer (1.1 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.

Titanium Honeycomb CoreChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Titanium Honeycomb Core: properties

5056 Aluminum HoneycombTitanium Honeycomb Core

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

1 GPa0.15 Msi
1.1 GPa0.16 Msi

Shear Modulus

0.6 GPa0.09 Msi
0.45 GPa0.07 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

4 MPa0.62 ksi
10 MPa1.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

3 MPa0.49 ksi
—

Compressive Strength

4 MPa0.55 ksi
6 MPa0.88 ksi

Compressive Modulus

1 GPa0.15 Msi
1.1 GPa0.16 Msi

Shear Strength

2 MPa0.32 ksi
3 MPa0.49 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

0.05 g/cm³0 lb/in³
0.1 g/cm³0 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

2.2 W/m·K1.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
540 J/kg·K0.13 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

24.1 µm/m·K13.4 µin/in·°F
8.8 µm/m·K4.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

175°C347 °F
425°C797 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

—
600°C1,112 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

3.2×10⁻⁶ Ω·m126 µΩ·in
1.26×10⁻⁶ Ω·m49.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
85 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

90 / 100
100 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
25 / 100

Polishability

—
20 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb
750 MJ/kg322,442 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

16.5 kg CO₂/kg
45 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

10%
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

86 kN·m/kg
99 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

20.6 MN·m/kg
11.5 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

48.9 mm²/s
4.8 mm²/s

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 HoneycombTitanium Honeycomb Core
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

5056 Aluminum Honeycomb vs Titanium Honeycomb Core — frequently asked

Is Titanium Honeycomb Core stronger than 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb?

Yes. Titanium Honeycomb Core has a typical tensile strength of 10 MPa (1.38 ksi) against 4 MPa (0.624 ksi) for 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb — about 121% more.

Which is cheaper, 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb or Titanium 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 Titanium Honeycomb Core?

5056 Aluminum Honeycomb. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for Titanium Honeycomb Core.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5056 Aluminum Honeycomb and Titanium 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.