5052 Aluminum Composition, Properties, Tempers, Al 5052 vs 6061, 3003 and More

5052 is one of the alloys that can be CNC machined and used as components for aircraft, marine, and some other industries. To understand this material, here is an introduction to 5052 aluminum, along with its designation, characteristics, composition, properties, tempers, and comparison with other aluminum grades.

What Is 5052 Aluminum?

5052 aluminum is an aluminum-magnesium alloy that primarily consists of aluminum, magnesium, and a small amount of chromium. The designation 5052 comes from a standardized naming system developed by the Aluminum Association, which assigns a four-digit code to each aluminum alloy based on its elements. The first digit – 5, indicates that magnesium is the main alloying element. The second number, 0, means that this alloy has standard levels of impurities, while the last two digits specify the particular alloy. Al 5052 has good formability and weldability; it can be shaped and molded easily. It is also relatively easy to machine. So, 5052 is an ideal material for sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining.

Is 5052 Aluminium Heat Treatable?

Unlike some other aluminum grades, 5052 aluminum alloy can’t be made stronger by heating; instead, it can be made stronger by working with it while it’s cold, like bending or shaping it.

Is 5052 Aluminium Corrosion Resistant?

One of the standout features of 5052 aluminum is its excellent corrosion resistance. CNC machined 5052 aluminum parts are typically applied in aerospace, automotive, architectural, and marine fields, such as fuel tanks, deck plates, and more.

Is 5052 Aluminum Bendable?

Yes, 5052 aluminum is one of the most bendable types. This is why it is often used in sheet metal work where bending or shaping is required. It is known for its formability, which means it can easily be shaped into different forms without cracking or breaking.

Is 5052 Aluminum Weldable?

Yes, 5052 aluminum alloy is capable of being welded with ease. It is recognised for having good weldability with standard industry practices like MIG and TIG welding. Moreover, alloy 5052 has an outstanding corrosion resistance, which makes it favourable for marine applications.

5052 Aluminum Chemical Composition

Magnesium: 2.2%-2.8%
Chromium: 0.15%-0.35%
Copper: 0.1% maximum
Iron: 0.4% maximum
Manganese: 0.1% maximum
Silicon: 0.25% maximum
Zinc: 0.1% maximum
Aluminium: Remainder

5052 Aluminum Material Properties (Physical, Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical)

Density: 2.68 g/cm3
Hardness, Brinell: 60
Shear Modulus: 25.9 GPa (3,760 ksi)
Modulus of Elasticity: 70.3 GPa (10,200 ksi)
Yield Strength: 193 MPa (28,000 psi)
Ultimate Strength: 228 MPa (33,000 psi)
Shear Strength: 138 MPa (20,000 psi)
Fatigue Strength: 117 MPa (17000 psi)
Elongation at break: 7-27%
Poisson’s ratio: 0.33
Melting temperature: 607 °C (1,125 °F)
Thermal conductivity: 138 W/m*K
Specific heat capacity: 880 J/kg*K
Volume resistivity: 49.3-49.9 nOhm* m

5052 Aluminum Tempers

Al 5052 has lots of variations, for example, 5052-H32 represents one of its tempers. The common 5052 tempers are 5052-H and 5052-O. The O” temper designation stands for annealed, and H temper indicates that the aluminum has undergone strain hardening. The H designation is followed by two digits that provide more specific information about the degree of strain hardening and any additional treatments applied. Common types of 5052 H tempers include:

5052 H32: Work hardened then stabilised by low-temperature heat or thermal treatment to quarter hard.
5052 H34: Work hardened then stabilised by low-temperature heat treatment to half hard.
5052 H36: Work hardened then stabilised by low-temperature heat treatment to three-quarter hard.
5052 H38: Work hardened then stabilised by low-temperature heat treatment to fully hard.

5052 Aluminum vs 6061 Aluminum – Differences Between 5052 and 6061

Feature	5052 Aluminum	6061 Aluminum
Chemical Composition	Higher Content of Mg	Higher Content of Si, Fe, Cu, Zn
Tempers	F, O, H (H32, H34, etc.)	F, O, T (T4, T6, etc.)
Density	2.68 g/cm³	2.7 g/cm³
Ultimate Tensile Strength	228 MPa	310 MPa (higher)
Yield Strength	193MPa	276 MPa (higher)
Fatigue Strength	117 MPa (higher)	96.5 MPa
Thermal Conductivity	138 W/m-K	167 W/m-K
Elasticity	Higher	Lower
Machinability	More difficult	Easier to machine
Heat Treatment	Non-heat-treatable	Heat-treatable
Corrosion Resistance	Excellent, especially in marine	Good, but less than 5052
Applications	Marine, architectural, home appliances	Food, automotive, aerospace
Price	Generally lower	Generally higher

5052 Aluminum vs 3003 Aluminum – Differences Between 5052 and 3003

Feature	3003 Aluminum	5052 Aluminum
Alloy Composition	Primarily alloyed with Manganese	Primarily alloyed with Magnesium
Ultimate Tensile Strength	Lower	Higher
Yield Strength	Lower	Higher
Brinell Hardness	40	60
Forming and Fabrication	Softer, easier to work with	Tougher, better formability
Corrosion Resistance	Good	Superior, especially in saltwater
Weldability	Weldable, easier to work with	Weldable, welding parameters are more important
Common Applications	Cooking utensils, chemical equipment	Marine, automotive, and medical equipment
Cost	Generally cheaper per pound	Slightly more expensive per pound
Density	0.099 lb/in³	0.097 lb/in³

5052 Aluminum vs 5083 Aluminum – Differences Between 5052 and 5083

Feature	5052 Aluminum	5083 Aluminum
Chemical Composition	2.2-2.8% Magnesium	4.0-4.9% Magnesium
Tensile Strength	170 MPa (5052-H112)	270 MPa (5083-H112)
Yield Strength	70 MPa (5052-H112)	125 MPa (5083-H112)
Weldability	Good, less likely to crack	Excellent, better with GTAW
Corrosion Resistance	Good, suitable for marine use	Superior, preferred for marine applications
Machinability	Easier to machine	More challenging due to high strength
Formability	Excellent, great for bending	Good, but less formable than 5052
Applications	Automotive, marine, and decorative	Marine fittings, construction, and low-temperature applications
Low-Temperature Performance	Excellent	Retains properties at cryogenic temperatures

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