Aluminum 5252
AA 5252 · UNS A95252 · EN AW-5252, AW 5252
5252 is a high-purity Al–Mg (≈2.5 % Mg) wrought sheet alloy with tightly restricted Fe, Si and Cu so that it anodizes to a bright, water-clear finish; it was developed mainly for automotive brightwork, trim strip, lighting reflectors and decorative appliance panels.
Values for the H25 condition
5252 tempers and conditions
5252 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. H25 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for deep drawing, severe bending or spinning of trim shapes; strengthen only by later strain hardening. | 85 | 180 | 23 | 47 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard partially annealed 5252 sheet — bright-anodizing Al-2.5Mg trim stock with good balance of strength and bending formability. | 165 | 230 | 12 | 65 HB | 35 % IACS |
H25Default Strain hardened and partially annealed, half-hard, smooth finish | Standard bright-trim temper: best balance of ~235 MPa strength with enough ductility for roll forming and bright anodizing. | 170 | 235 | 11 | 68 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Stabilized temper for dimensionally stable formed parts that must not age-soften; strength close to H25. | 175 | 230 | 12 | 66 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Harder stabilized sheet for trim needing more springback resistance than H32 with moderate bendability. | 210 | 260 | 8 | 74 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Fully hardened and thermally stabilized 5252 sheet — highest strength temper, used for bright-anodized automotive trim where stiffness matters more than bending. | 240 | 285 | 5 | 105 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Choose for stiff, dent-resistant flat trim and reflectors where only mild bending is needed. | 240 | 285 | 5 | 80 HB | 35 % IACS |
What is 5252?
5252 is a high-purity Al–Mg (≈2.5 % Mg) wrought sheet alloy with tightly restricted Fe, Si and Cu so that it anodizes to a bright, water-clear finish; it was developed mainly for automotive brightwork, trim strip, lighting reflectors and decorative appliance panels. It offers medium strength in strain-hardened tempers, very good formability and excellent marine/atmospheric corrosion resistance, and is normally supplied in H25/H28 sheet. Limits are the non-heat-treatable strength ceiling, softening above roughly 150 °C, risk of sensitization/stress-corrosion after long exposure over ~65 °C in higher-Mg service, and poor machinability typical of soft Al–Mg alloys. 5252 has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F). 5252 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
What is 5252 used for?
- Decorative automotive trim
- Lighting reflectors
- Bright-anodized trim strip
- Decorative appliance panels
- Roll-formed moulding profiles
- Nameplates and badges
- Interior architectural trim
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 68/100, better than 81% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades
5252 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5252-H25; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5252 has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Mechanical10
5252 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
5252 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
5252 conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 73% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5252 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability7
5252's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability good (68/100).
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. 5252 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5252
Is 5252 easy to machine?
Gummy and adhesive like other soft 5000-series alloys — use sharp polished high-rake carbide tools, high speed, generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and surface smearing.
Can 5252 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 filler; avoid 4000 series Si fillers (Mg2Si brittleness) and expect weld-zone softening to near-O strength.
Can 5252 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H25 for roll forming, bending and stretch-forming trim profiles; anneal 345 °C for severe draws and watch springback in H28.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 5252. Every 5252 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better42 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent68 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better78 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
5252 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sirestricted for bright anodizing | ≤ 0.08 | |
| Ferestricted for bright anodizing | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mgprincipal strengthener | 2.2 – 2.8 | 2.5 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5252?
Designed for bright dipping and clear/coloured bright anodizing; also takes chemical brightening, buffing and painting — protect the surface in-process since scratches show after anodizing.
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 5252 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A95252
- Aluminum Association
- AA5252
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-5252AW 5252
How much does 5252 cost?
5252 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.
5252 — frequently asked
What is 5252 used for?
5252 is typically used for decorative automotive trim, lighting reflectors, bright-anodized trim strip, decorative appliance panels, roll-formed moulding profiles and nameplates and badges. In short: bright anodizing sheet.
What is the yield strength of 5252?
5252 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 56% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 5252 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades). Gummy and adhesive like other soft 5000-series alloys — use sharp polished high-rake carbide tools, high speed, generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and surface smearing.
Can 5252 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 filler; avoid 4000 series Si fillers (Mg2Si brittleness) and expect weld-zone softening to near-O strength.
What surface finishes work on 5252?
Designed for bright dipping and clear/coloured bright anodizing; also takes chemical brightening, buffing and painting — protect the surface in-process since scratches show after anodizing.
Can 5252 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H25 for roll forming, bending and stretch-forming trim profiles; anneal 345 °C for severe draws and watch springback in H28.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5252?
5252 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.
What is the difference between 5252-H25 and 5252-O?
H25 is the default condition — standard bright-trim temper: best balance of ~235 MPa strength with enough ductility for roll forming and bright anodizing. O: pick for deep drawing, severe bending or spinning of trim shapes; strengthen only by later strain hardening. Yield strength is 170 MPa in H25 versus 85 MPa in O.
How much does 5252 cost?
5252 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 5252?
Yes — 5252 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.