Aluminum 5021 vs 5052
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 5021 and 5052 are both aluminum grades. 5021 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) against 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) for 5052, about 38% more; tensile strength follows at 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) vs 230 MPa (33.4 ksi). In exchange, 5052 is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 4% for 5021, and 5021 is harder (85 HB vs 60 HB). 5052 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 100°C continuous). On the shop floor, 5052 welds better (excellent vs very good) and 5052 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 5021 (premium, $$$).
5021Choose it when strength drives the design.
5052Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
5021 vs 5052: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all aluminum grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all aluminum grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 69 GPa10 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 2.68 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 607°C1,125 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 138 W/m·K79.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 23.8 µm/m·K13.2 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 35 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.85 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 30%
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 5021 | 5052 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm |
| Anodizing Type II | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | — | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes |
| E-Coating | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE | — | Yes |
| Hard Anodizing Type III | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Powder Coating | — | Yes |
They share 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
5021 vs 5052 — frequently asked
Is 5021 stronger than 5052?
Yes. 5021 has a typical yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) against 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) for 5052 — about 38% more. Tensile strength is 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) vs 230 MPa (33.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 5021 or 5052?
5052 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 5021 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 5021 or 5052?
5052, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for 5021; for welding the order is 5052 first (excellent, 90/100) then 5021 (very good, 78/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5021 and 5052 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.