Aluminum 5052 · temper
Aluminum 5052-H38
Properties of the H38 condition, compared with the other 5052 tempers.
Maximum cold-worked strength for flat, essentially non-formed parts (shells, blanked components, springy strip).
What is 5052-H38?
5052-H38 is 5052 in the H38 temper — maximum cold-worked strength for flat, essentially non-formed parts (shells, blanked components, springy strip). 5052-H38 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi). 5052-H38 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).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
5052-H38 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5052-H38 — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5052 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5052-H38 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-H38 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5052-H38 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °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-H38 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-H38 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-H38's machinability is good (60/100, better than 50% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability fair (38/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5052 tempers and conditions
5052 is also supplied in 18 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5052 overview.
- H39Cold-worked beyond full hard and stabilized; highest-strength 5052 strip with minimal ductility, used for springy formed parts.275 MPa yield · 82 HB
- H38Maximum cold-worked strength for flat, essentially non-formed parts (shells, blanked components, springy strip).255 MPa yield · 77 HB
- H18Fully cold-worked (about 75 % reduction) 5052; maximum practical strength for strain-hardened sheet with low ductility.255 MPa yield · 77 HB
- H28Partially annealed to full hard; near-maximum strength strip for springs, clips and formed hardware.250 MPa yield · 77 HB
- H36For flat parts and light gauges needing high strength with only mild forming (roll forming, shallow bends).240 MPa yield · 73 HB
- H16Heavily cold-worked to three-quarter hard; high strength with limited bend formability.240 MPa yield · 73 HB
- H26Partially annealed to three-quarter hard; high strength sheet with modest bending capability.235 MPa yield · 73 HB
- H34Choose when a stiffer, stronger panel is needed and bend radii can be generous; common for tread plate and machined fixtures.215 MPa yield · 68 HB
- H14Cold-rolled to half hard; strength and hardness equivalent to H34 but without the stabilizing heat treatment.215 MPa yield · 68 HB
- H24Partially annealed to half hard; balanced strength/formability temper widely used for formed sheet parts.210 MPa yield · 68 HB
- H32The default stocked sheet/plate temper: best balance of strength, bendability and weldability for enclosures, tanks and marine sheet.195 MPa yield · 60 HB
- H12Cold-worked to quarter-hard without stabilizing; strength close to H32 but subject to slight age softening in 5xxx alloys.195 MPa yield · 60 HB
- H22Over-worked then partially annealed back to quarter hard; strength like H32 with somewhat better ductility uniformity.190 MPa yield · 60 HB
- H322H32-strength plate given a supplementary flattening/levelling operation; mechanical properties essentially those of H32 with improved flatness.190 MPa yield · 60 HB
- FAs-fabricated 5052 with no mechanical property limits guaranteed; properties fall between annealed and lightly work-hardened material.110 MPa yield · 50 HB
- OPick for deep drawing, severe stretch forming, spinning and tight-radius bending; strength is lowest.90 MPa yield · 47 HB
Working with 5052-H38
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.
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.
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 | — |
5052-H38 — frequently asked
What is 5052-H38 used for?
5052-H38 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-H38?
5052-H38 has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 19 listed tempers.
Is 5052-H38 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 50% 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-H38 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-H38?
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-H38 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-H38?
5052-H38 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5052-H38?
Yes — 5052-H38 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.