Aluminum 5052
AA 5052 · UNS A95052 · EN AlMg2.5, AW-5052 · JIS A5052, A5052P · GB LF2
5052 is the workhorse Al–Mg (≈2.5 % Mg) non-heat-treatable alloy, strengthened only by cold work, offering medium strength with excellent marine and atmospheric corrosion resistance, very good formability and excellent weldability.
5052 tempers and conditions
5052 is supplied in 19 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 19 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for deep drawing, severe stretch forming, spinning and tight-radius bending; strength is lowest. | 90 | 195 | 25 | 47 HB | 35 % IACS |
As fabricated | As-fabricated 5052 with no mechanical property limits guaranteed; properties fall between annealed and lightly work-hardened material. | 110 | 200 | 20 | 50 HB | 35 % IACS |
Slightly strain hardened | European sheet/plate temper for good formability with slightly higher strength and better flatness than O. | 110 | 200 | 20 | 50 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Standard temper for thicker hot-rolled plate and extrusions where forming and welding matter more than peak strength. | 110 | 200 | 16 | 50 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Over-worked then partially annealed back to quarter hard; strength like H32 with somewhat better ductility uniformity. | 190 | 230 | 13 | 60 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, stabilized, quarter hard, flattened plate | H32-strength plate given a supplementary flattening/levelling operation; mechanical properties essentially those of H32 with improved flatness. | 190 | 230 | 12 | 60 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | The default stocked sheet/plate temper: best balance of strength, bendability and weldability for enclosures, tanks and marine sheet. | 195 | 230 | 12 | 60 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Cold-worked to quarter-hard without stabilizing; strength close to H32 but subject to slight age softening in 5000-series alloys. | 195 | 230 | 12 | 60 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Partially annealed to half hard; balanced strength/formability temper widely used for formed sheet parts. | 210 | 260 | 10 | 68 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Choose when a stiffer, stronger panel is needed and bend radii can be generous; common for tread plate and machined fixtures. | 215 | 260 | 10 | 68 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Cold-rolled to half hard; strength and hardness equivalent to H34 but without the stabilizing heat treatment. | 215 | 260 | 10 | 68 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Partially annealed to three-quarter hard; high strength sheet with modest bending capability. | 235 | 275 | 8 | 73 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, three-quarter hard | For flat parts and light gauges needing high strength with only mild forming (roll forming, shallow bends). | 240 | 275 | 8 | 73 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Heavily cold-worked to three-quarter hard; high strength with limited bend formability. | 240 | 275 | 8 | 73 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Partially annealed to full hard; near-maximum strength strip for springs, clips and formed hardware. | 250 | 290 | 7 | 77 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Maximum cold-worked strength for flat, essentially non-formed parts (shells, blanked components, springy strip). | 255 | 290 | 7 | 77 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Fully cold-worked (about 75 % reduction) 5052; maximum practical strength for strain-hardened sheet with low ductility. | 255 | 290 | 7 | 77 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, stabilized, extra hard | Cold-worked beyond full hard and stabilized; highest-strength 5052 strip with minimal ductility, used for springy formed parts. | 275 | 310 | 5 | 82 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Heavily cold-drawn wire temper used for rivets, screen wire and cable; essentially no further forming capacity. | 295 | 330 | 5 | 85 HB | 35 % IACS |
What is 5052?
5052 is the workhorse Al–Mg (≈2.5 % Mg) non-heat-treatable alloy, strengthened only by cold work, offering medium strength with excellent marine and atmospheric corrosion resistance, very good formability and excellent weldability. It is the standard choice for sheet-metal enclosures, fuel/pressure tanks, boat hulls, and tread (checker) plate where 5083 is overkill and 6061 too brittle to bend. Limits: strength cannot be raised by heat treatment, H tempers soften above ~120–150 °C, machinability is gummy, and it is not suitable for hard-anodised wear surfaces. 5052 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F). 5052 has a yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — stronger than 51% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 5052 used for?
- Sheet metal chassis and enclosures
- Fuel and pressure tanks
- Marine hardware
- Boat hulls and deck fittings
- Tread (checker) plate flooring
- Brake-formed brackets and panels
- Outdoor equipment housings
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
5052 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5052 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Mechanical11
5052 has a yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — stronger than 51% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5052 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 138 W/m·K (79.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 55% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5052 conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5052 takes about 155 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
5052's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability very good (75/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 5052 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5052
Is 5052 easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, high surface speed and flood or MQL lubrication; expect burrs on thin sheet.
Can 5052 be welded?
Excellent by GTAW/GMAW with 5356 or 5183 filler; HAZ reverts toward O strength so design joints for annealed properties and avoid prolonged >65 °C service only for higher-Mg alloys (5052 is SCC-safe).
Can 5052 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — O for deep draws, H32 for typical brake bending (about 1×t minimum radius in thin gauge); anneal at ~345 °C for severe re-forming.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 5052. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better50 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 400 / 470 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 0.8 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / 0.4 µm |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent75 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better90 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
| Minimum bend radius | 0.5× thickness |
| Sheet thickness range | 0.5 – 6 mm |
| Spring-back | Low |
| Welding processes | MIG, TIG, SPOT, LASER |
5052 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mgprimary strengthener | 2.2 – 2.8 | 2.5 |
| Crcorrosion/grain control | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Alremainder, ~96.7 % nominal | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5052?
Anodises clear and bright and takes chemical conversion (Alodine), paint and powder coat well; polishes to a satin/mirror finish but avoid hard-coat wear applications.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 5052 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A95052
- Aluminum Association
- AA5052
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AlMg2.5AW-50523.3523AlMg2,5
- GB (China)
- LF2
- JIS
- A5052A5052P
- Trade names
- Peraluman
- Also called
- marine aluminummarine grade aluminum
How much does 5052 cost?
5052 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
5052 — frequently asked
What is 5052 used for?
5052 is typically used for sheet metal chassis and enclosures, fuel and pressure tanks, marine hardware, boat hulls and deck fittings, tread (checker) plate flooring and brake-formed brackets and panels. In short: marine grade; salt-water expert.
What is the yield strength of 5052?
5052 has a typical yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) — stronger than 51% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 19 listed tempers.
Is 5052 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, high surface speed and flood or MQL lubrication; expect burrs on thin sheet.
Can 5052 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent by GTAW/GMAW with 5356 or 5183 filler; HAZ reverts toward O strength so design joints for annealed properties and avoid prolonged >65 °C service only for higher-Mg alloys (5052 is SCC-safe).
What surface finishes work on 5052?
Anodises clear and bright and takes chemical conversion (Alodine), paint and powder coat well; polishes to a satin/mirror finish but avoid hard-coat wear applications.
Can 5052 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — O for deep draws, H32 for typical brake bending (about 1×t minimum radius in thin gauge); anneal at ~345 °C for severe re-forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5052?
5052 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 5052 cost?
5052 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5052?
Yes — 5052 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- JIS H 4000 Aluminium and aluminium alloy sheets, strips and plates — JSA (2022)
- EN 485-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- MMPDS-2023 typical property tables (5052 sheet) — Battelle/FAA (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.