Aluminum 5252 · temper
Aluminum 5252-H38
Properties of the H38 condition, compared with the other 5252 tempers.
Fully hardened and thermally stabilized 5252 sheet — highest strength temper, used for bright-anodized automotive trim where stiffness matters more than bending.
What is 5252-H38?
5252-H38 is 5252 in the H38 temper — fully hardened and thermally stabilized 5252 sheet — highest strength temper, used for bright-anodized automotive trim where stiffness matters more than bending. 5252-H38 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — stronger than 62% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi). 5252-H38 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). H25 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H38 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 74/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
5252-H38 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5252-H38 — 36 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5252 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5252-H38 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-H38 has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — stronger than 62% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
5252-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
5252-H38 conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), better than 87% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5252-H38 takes about 155 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
5252-H38's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5252 tempers and conditions
5252 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5252 overview.
- H25DefaultStandard bright-trim temper: best balance of ~235 MPa strength with enough ductility for roll forming and bright anodizing.170 MPa yield · 68 HB
- H38Fully hardened and thermally stabilized 5252 sheet — highest strength temper, used for bright-anodized automotive trim where stiffness matters more than bending.240 MPa yield · 105 HB
- H28Choose for stiff, dent-resistant flat trim and reflectors where only mild bending is needed.240 MPa yield · 80 HB
- H32Stabilized temper for dimensionally stable formed parts that must not age-soften; strength close to H25.175 MPa yield · 66 HB
- H24Half-hard partially annealed 5252 sheet — bright-anodizing Al-2.5Mg trim stock with good balance of strength and bending formability.165 MPa yield · 65 HB
- OPick for deep drawing, severe bending or spinning of trim shapes; strengthen only by later strain hardening.85 MPa yield · 47 HB
Working with 5252-H38
Is 5252 easy to machine?
Gummy and adhesive like other soft 5xxx 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 4xxx 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.
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.
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 | — |
5252-H38 — frequently asked
What is 5252-H38 used for?
5252-H38 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-H38?
5252-H38 has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — stronger than 62% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 5252-H38 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Gummy and adhesive like other soft 5xxx alloys — use sharp polished high-rake carbide tools, high speed, generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and surface smearing.
Can 5252-H38 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 filler; avoid 4xxx Si fillers (Mg2Si brittleness) and expect weld-zone softening to near-O strength.
What surface finishes work on 5252-H38?
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-H38 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-H38?
5252-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.
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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5252-H38?
Yes — 5252-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
- 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.