Metal
Aluminum 5052 properties
The sheet metal aluminum. Forms tightly and resists salt.
Published values for unfilled grades at 23 °C unless stated. Confirm against the supplier datasheet for the grade you specify.
What it is
5052 is a magnesium alloy supplied as sheet and chosen for forming rather than machining. It bends to a tight radius without cracking, welds cleanly, and has the best marine corrosion resistance of the common aluminum sheet alloys.
It cannot be heat treated to higher strength; its properties come from cold work, expressed as the H temper.
5052-H32 against 6061-T6
5052 aluminum properties for a sheet part
5052-H32 is the weaker of the two common aluminum sheet alloys and the easier one to form. Choose it when the part is bent, welded or used outdoors; choose 6061-T6 when strength or machined detail matters more than tight bends.
| Property | 5052-H32 | 6061-T6 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 228 MPa | 310 MPa |
| Yield strength | 193 MPa | 276 MPa |
| Density | 2.68 g/cm³ | 2.70 g/cm³ |
| Elongation | 12 % | 12 % |
| Bending | Inside radius equal to thickness | Cracks on tight bends; use generous radii, or form in T4 and age afterwards |
| Strength comes from | Cold work (H temper); cannot be heat treated | Heat treatment (T temper) |
| Welding | TIG with 5356 filler | TIG or MIG; the heat affected zone loses temper |
Published values at 23 °C. Confirm against the mill certificate for the batch you order.
What thickness can we cut and form?
5052 is typically specified from 0.5 to 6.0 mm. The fiber laser cuts aluminum up to 16 mm, the press brake bed is 3,050 mm, and the practical band for enclosure work is 0.5 to 3 mm. See sheet metal fabrication for the full envelope.
Which finishes suit 5052?
Anodising (Type II decorative or Type III hard), powder coating and wet paint. Coatings add thickness, so state which holes and faces are tolerance critical.
Can 5052 be machined?
Yes. We machine 5052 in house, usually where a part is also formed or welded. For a part that is only machined, 6061-T6 is the default prototype metal. See CNC machining.
How should 5052 be called out on a drawing?
Give alloy, temper, thickness and grain direction, for example 5052-H32, 2.0 mm, bends across the grain. "Aluminum" alone is not a specification. The sheet metal design guide covers bend relief and hole spacing.
Where it is used
- Sheet metal enclosures and chassis
- Marine and outdoor panels
- Fuel tanks and fluid containment
- Brackets and formed supports
- Perforated and louvred panels
Processing notes
Laser cuts and punches cleanly. Deburr formed edges before anodising.
Bend across the grain where possible. With the grain, the minimum radius roughly doubles.
TIG welds well with 5356 filler; expect distortion on thin sheet and design a fixture.
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Design notes
Minimum bend radius 1.0 × thickness for H32. Softer H tempers bend tighter.
Hole to bend distance should be at least 2.5 × thickness plus the bend radius, or the hole will distort.
Bend relief notches are required at the end of any partial bend; without them the sheet tears.
Grades and variants
- 5052-H32, the general sheet standard
- 5052-H34, harder, less formable
- 5754, European equivalent
- 3003, cheaper, more formable, lower strength
- 6061-T4 sheet, higher strength, poorer formability
Specifying this material?
Send your CAD and target volumes. We come back with a price, a lead time, and any material or design notes that would reduce either.