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Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) vs Titanium Honeycomb Core

Composite · grade comparison

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) and Titanium Honeycomb Core are both composite grades. Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.38 ksi) for Titanium Honeycomb Core, about 14 times as much. Titanium Honeycomb Core is lighter (0.1 g/cm³ vs 1.35 g/cm³ for Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)) and Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is stiffer (70 GPa vs 1.1 GPa). On the shop floor, Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) machines more easily (very good vs poor) and Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Titanium Honeycomb Core (high, $$$$).

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

Titanium Honeycomb CoreChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) vs Titanium Honeycomb Core: properties

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)Titanium Honeycomb Core

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

70 GPa10.2 Msi
1.1 GPa0.16 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

130 MPa18.9 ksi
10 MPa1.4 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

100 MPa14.5 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

5%
—

Shear Modulus

—
0.45 GPa0.07 Msi

Compressive Strength

—
6 MPa0.88 ksi

Compressive Modulus

—
1.1 GPa0.16 Msi

Shear Strength

—
3 MPa0.49 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.35 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
0.1 g/cm³0 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.4 W/m·K0.23 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

24 µm/m·K13.3 µin/in·°F
8.8 µm/m·K4.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

80°C176 °F
425°C797 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-253°C-423 °F

Specific Heat Capacity

—
540 J/kg·K0.13 BTU/lb·°F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

—
600°C1,112 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

—
1.26×10⁻⁶ Ω·m49.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 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

80 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

5 / 100
—

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
—

Polishability

—
20 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

—
750 MJ/kg322,442 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

—
45 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

—
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

—
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

96 kN·m/kg
99 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

51.9 MN·m/kg
11.5 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 scaleAluminum Composite Panel (ACM)

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAluminum Composite Panel (ACM)Titanium Honeycomb Core
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionPE Core—
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
PaintingYes—

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) vs Titanium Honeycomb Core — frequently asked

Is Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) stronger than Titanium Honeycomb Core?

Yes. Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) has a typical tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 10 MPa (1.38 ksi) for Titanium Honeycomb Core — about 14 times as much.

Which is cheaper, Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) or Titanium Honeycomb Core?

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Titanium Honeycomb Core is high ($$$$). 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, Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) or Titanium Honeycomb Core?

Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM). Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against poor (25/100) for Titanium Honeycomb Core.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) 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.