A durable material with high strength and corrosion resistance
5052 aluminum is a versatile premium-grade material suitable for a wide range of applications. Although the metal is not heat treatable, magnesium and chromium — the two most prevalent alloying elements — significantly increase the aluminum’s strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. The increased tensile strength and yield strength allows the alloy to handle high levels of stress and stand up to the harshest of environmental conditions.
It’s also highly formable, maintaining its structural integrity through bending and shaping processes. This makes the metal well suited for high-stress applications using intricate designs and requiring complex shapes, such as aerospace or automotive parts. It’s also a good choice for applications that require deep drawing or spinning, such as architectural elements and kitchenware.
Excellent weldability is another reason why 5052 aluminum is a favored material in construction and manufacturing, creating strong, durable welds with techniques such as tungsten inert gas (TIG) and metal inert gas (MIG). The ability to maintain integrity even under harsh conditions helps ensure continued high performance and safety for many years to come.
The alloy’s strong resistance to corrosion makes it an excellent choice for marine applications, such as ships, equipment, and outdoor structures. Other common applications include refrigerators, streetlight poles, and fan blades.
5052 aluminum’s most notable properties are its weldability, formability, strength, durability, and electrical and thermal conductivity.
5052 aluminum’s excellent weldability ensures strong bonds with excellent structural integrity. This also helps simplify the assembly process in construction and manufacturing. 5052 aluminum’s high formability allows the metal to be shaped into precise, complex shapes for a wide range of applications. The alloy also lends itself to deep drawing and spinning, which can reduce costs by producing large quantities of products at scale.
As one of the higher-strength non-heat-treatable alloys, 5052 aluminum has a high load-bearing capacity and resists deformation. It’s a good choice for parts or structures that need to withstand heavy use or impact while still maintaining integrity, and it performs well in harsh marine environments due to its strong corrosion resistance.
5052 aluminum has good electrical conductivity that allows electrical signals and power to transmit efficiently. The alloy’s light weight makes it a strong choice for applications where reducing weight is critical, such as aerospace, and the material’s thermal conductivity makes it effective at transferring heat in heating or cooling systems or dissipating heat to prevent overheating.
5052 aluminum mechanical properties
These properties demonstrate how 5052 aluminum performs under different forces or loads. These are general mechanical properties for reference only.
5052 Aluminum Mechanical Properties
per The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Alloy & Temper
Thickness
Tensile Strengths – ksi
ULTIMATE
YIELD
Elongation % min in 2in or 4D
Min
Max
Min
Max
5052-H32
.009-.012
28
35
25
25
5
.013-.019
28
35
25
25
7
.020-.031
28
35
25
25
8
.032-.050
28
35
25
25
10
.051-.113
28
35
25
25
11
.114-.161
28
35
25
25
12
.162-.249
28
35
25
25
14
.250-.499
28
35
25
25
16
.500-1.00
28
35
25
25
18
5052 aluminum chemical properties
This table describes the chemical composition of 5052 aluminum that gives the alloy its base properties.
5052 Aluminum Chemical Properties
per The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Alloy & Temper
Element
Percentage
5052-H32
Silicon
0.25 max
Iron
0.4 max
Copper
0.1 max
Manganese
0.1 max
Magnesium
2.2 – 2.8
Chromium
0.15 – 0.35
Zinc
0.1 max
Titanium
0.15 max
Others (each)
0.05 max
Others (total)
0.15 max
Aluminum (Al)
Balance
5052 aluminum physical properties
These are the basic properties of 5052 aluminum that are independent of its mechanical characteristics.
5052 Aluminum Physical Properties
per The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Alloy & Temper
Property
Value
5052-H32
Density
2.68 g/cm³
Melting Point
607 – 649 °C
Modulus of Elasticity
70.3 GPa
Thermal Conductivity
138 W/m-K
Electrical Resistivity
0.0636 µΩ·m
Shapes and forms
At Cumberland Diversified Metals, we trade in 5052 aluminum sheet, plate, and coil. Contact us to learn more about the thickness that best fits your needs.
Applications for 5052 aluminum
Because it’s stronger than other popular alloys and has greater corrosion resistance, 5052 aluminum is ideal for marine industries, chemical applications, and electronics. Its uses include:
Fuel tanks
Truck-trailer side panels and cabs
Road signs
Pressure vessels
Hydraulic tubes
Kitchen cabinets
Small boats
Home freezers
Fencing
Tempers
Cumberland Diversified Metals offers 5052 aluminum in a range of different tempers, including:
5052 O
5052 H32
5052 H34
5052 H36
5052 H38
To learn more about aluminum tempers, visit tempers.
What are the characteristics of 5052 aluminum vs. 6061 aluminum?
5052 and 6061 are likely the two most widely used aluminum grades. Both are lightweight, offering strong corrosion resistance and high tensile strength, but which is “best” depends on the requirements of the application. 5052 is easier to bend and form without cracking, while 6061 can be extruded into various shapes and strengthens with heat treatment. Click here for a more in-depth comparison of 5052 aluminum vs. 6061.
What are the characteristics of 3003 vs. 5052 aluminum?
3003 and 5052 aluminum are two common aluminum alloys. Both have similar characteristics, including good corrosion resistance and not being able to strengthen them through heat treatment. But 3003 uses manganese for its alloying element, while 5052 uses magnesium, which gives 5052 greater strength, finishing characteristics, and corrosion resistance. More details about how 5052 aluminum compares to 3003 can be found here.
What is the density of 5052 aluminum?
Broadly speaking, 5052 aluminum has lower density than other similar aluminum alloys. Specifically, 5052 aluminum alloy’s density is 0.0968 (lb/in3).
Is 5052 aluminum bendable?
Yes! The fact that 5052 aluminum is primarily alloyed with magnesium makes it a good aluminum for bending. Each 5052 temper has a unique level of malleability, and all offer moderate-to-high strength while still retaining good bendability in general.
What is 5052 aluminum’s yield strength?
As with all aluminum alloys, 5052 aluminum’s yield strength depends on its temper. Minimum yield strengths for common tempers range between 23 ksi (158.6 MPa or 23,000 psi) for 5052-H32 and 32 ksi (220.6 MPa or 32,000 psi) for 5052-H38. 5052 aluminum alloy has a yield strength of 193 MPa (28,000 psi) and an ultimate tensile strength of 228 MPa (33,000 psi), which means it is moderately strong when compared to some other popular alloys.
What is 5052 aluminum used for?
5052 aluminum’s high corrosion resistance makes it perfect for use in marine industries, chemical applications, and electronics.
How does 5052 aluminum compare with 5454?
Both 5052 and 5454 aluminum share magnesium as their primary alloying element. While both alloys are strong, 5454 has the edge in tensile and yield strength. They both have strong corrosion resistance, but 5454 is more resistant to chemical exposure, whereas 5052 stands up better in marine environments. Both alloys can be easily formed but 5052 has slightly better formability. 5454 aluminum is better for heavier-duty needs, while 5052 aluminum is better suited for marine applications.
Can 5052 aluminum be welded easily?
Yes, 5052 aluminum has excellent weldability. The alloy maintains its mechanical characteristics throughout the process and creates strong bonds. Many conventional methods can be used to weld 5052 aluminum, including Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) methods.
Is 5052 aluminum suitable for outdoor use?
Absolutely! The alloy’s excellent corrosion resistance helps it stand up well to harsh environmental conditions.
How does 5052 aluminum perform in marine environments?
5052 aluminum is highly resistant to saltwater corrosion, making the metal a popular choice for marine applications.
What are common tempers available for 5052 aluminum?
Common 5052 aluminum tempers include H32, H34, H36 and H38. Each temper provides a different level of hardness and strength.
Get your specialty metals now
We’re here to help you find metals quickly at a competitive price, or give you the best value for your surplus metals. Reach out to us today to experience our world-class customer service for yourself.
5052 Aluminum
A durable material with high strength and corrosion resistance
5052 aluminum is a versatile premium-grade material suitable for a wide range of applications. Although the metal is not heat treatable, magnesium and chromium — the two most prevalent alloying elements — significantly increase the aluminum’s strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. The increased tensile strength and yield strength allows the alloy to handle high levels of stress and stand up to the harshest of environmental conditions.
It’s also highly formable, maintaining its structural integrity through bending and shaping processes. This makes the metal well suited for high-stress applications using intricate designs and requiring complex shapes, such as aerospace or automotive parts. It’s also a good choice for applications that require deep drawing or spinning, such as architectural elements and kitchenware.
Excellent weldability is another reason why 5052 aluminum is a favored material in construction and manufacturing, creating strong, durable welds with techniques such as tungsten inert gas (TIG) and metal inert gas (MIG). The ability to maintain integrity even under harsh conditions helps ensure continued high performance and safety for many years to come.
The alloy’s strong resistance to corrosion makes it an excellent choice for marine applications, such as ships, equipment, and outdoor structures. Other common applications include refrigerators, streetlight poles, and fan blades.
Get a no-hassle quote nowKey properties and benefits
5052 aluminum’s most notable properties are its weldability, formability, strength, durability, and electrical and thermal conductivity.
5052 aluminum’s excellent weldability ensures strong bonds with excellent structural integrity. This also helps simplify the assembly process in construction and manufacturing. 5052 aluminum’s high formability allows the metal to be shaped into precise, complex shapes for a wide range of applications. The alloy also lends itself to deep drawing and spinning, which can reduce costs by producing large quantities of products at scale.
As one of the higher-strength non-heat-treatable alloys, 5052 aluminum has a high load-bearing capacity and resists deformation. It’s a good choice for parts or structures that need to withstand heavy use or impact while still maintaining integrity, and it performs well in harsh marine environments due to its strong corrosion resistance.
5052 aluminum has good electrical conductivity that allows electrical signals and power to transmit efficiently. The alloy’s light weight makes it a strong choice for applications where reducing weight is critical, such as aerospace, and the material’s thermal conductivity makes it effective at transferring heat in heating or cooling systems or dissipating heat to prevent overheating.
5052 aluminum mechanical properties
These properties demonstrate how 5052 aluminum performs under different forces or loads. These are general mechanical properties for reference only.
5052 Aluminum Mechanical Properties
per The Aluminum Association, Inc.
5052 aluminum chemical properties
This table describes the chemical composition of 5052 aluminum that gives the alloy its base properties.
5052 Aluminum Chemical Properties
per The Aluminum Association, Inc.
5052 aluminum physical properties
These are the basic properties of 5052 aluminum that are independent of its mechanical characteristics.
5052 Aluminum Physical Properties
per The Aluminum Association, Inc.
Shapes and forms
At Cumberland Diversified Metals, we trade in 5052 aluminum sheet, plate, and coil. Contact us to learn more about the thickness that best fits your needs.
Applications for 5052 aluminum
Because it’s stronger than other popular alloys and has greater corrosion resistance, 5052 aluminum is ideal for marine industries, chemical applications, and electronics. Its uses include:
Tempers
Cumberland Diversified Metals offers 5052 aluminum in a range of different tempers, including:
To learn more about aluminum tempers, visit tempers.
Further, click here for an in-depth guide to 5052 H32 aluminum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the characteristics of 5052 aluminum vs. 6061 aluminum?
5052 and 6061 are likely the two most widely used aluminum grades. Both are lightweight, offering strong corrosion resistance and high tensile strength, but which is “best” depends on the requirements of the application. 5052 is easier to bend and form without cracking, while 6061 can be extruded into various shapes and strengthens with heat treatment. Click here for a more in-depth comparison of 5052 aluminum vs. 6061.
What are the characteristics of 3003 vs. 5052 aluminum?
3003 and 5052 aluminum are two common aluminum alloys. Both have similar characteristics, including good corrosion resistance and not being able to strengthen them through heat treatment. But 3003 uses manganese for its alloying element, while 5052 uses magnesium, which gives 5052 greater strength, finishing characteristics, and corrosion resistance. More details about how 5052 aluminum compares to 3003 can be found here.
What is the density of 5052 aluminum?
Broadly speaking, 5052 aluminum has lower density than other similar aluminum alloys. Specifically, 5052 aluminum alloy’s density is 0.0968 (lb/in3).
Is 5052 aluminum bendable?
Yes! The fact that 5052 aluminum is primarily alloyed with magnesium makes it a good aluminum for bending. Each 5052 temper has a unique level of malleability, and all offer moderate-to-high strength while still retaining good bendability in general.
What is 5052 aluminum’s yield strength?
As with all aluminum alloys, 5052 aluminum’s yield strength depends on its temper. Minimum yield strengths for common tempers range between 23 ksi (158.6 MPa or 23,000 psi) for 5052-H32 and 32 ksi (220.6 MPa or 32,000 psi) for 5052-H38. 5052 aluminum alloy has a yield strength of 193 MPa (28,000 psi) and an ultimate tensile strength of 228 MPa (33,000 psi), which means it is moderately strong when compared to some other popular alloys.
What is 5052 aluminum used for?
5052 aluminum’s high corrosion resistance makes it perfect for use in marine industries, chemical applications, and electronics.
How does 5052 aluminum compare with 5454?
Both 5052 and 5454 aluminum share magnesium as their primary alloying element. While both alloys are strong, 5454 has the edge in tensile and yield strength. They both have strong corrosion resistance, but 5454 is more resistant to chemical exposure, whereas 5052 stands up better in marine environments. Both alloys can be easily formed but 5052 has slightly better formability. 5454 aluminum is better for heavier-duty needs, while 5052 aluminum is better suited for marine applications.
Can 5052 aluminum be welded easily?
Yes, 5052 aluminum has excellent weldability. The alloy maintains its mechanical characteristics throughout the process and creates strong bonds. Many conventional methods can be used to weld 5052 aluminum, including Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) methods.
Is 5052 aluminum suitable for outdoor use?
Absolutely! The alloy’s excellent corrosion resistance helps it stand up well to harsh environmental conditions.
How does 5052 aluminum perform in marine environments?
5052 aluminum is highly resistant to saltwater corrosion, making the metal a popular choice for marine applications.
What are common tempers available for 5052 aluminum?
Common 5052 aluminum tempers include H32, H34, H36 and H38. Each temper provides a different level of hardness and strength.
Get your specialty metals now
We’re here to help you find metals quickly at a competitive price, or give you the best value for your surplus metals. Reach out to us today to experience our world-class customer service for yourself.