Metal
Aluminum 5052
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.
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.
Available through
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.