Aluminum 5051A vs 5052
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 5051A and 5052 are both aluminum grades. 5052 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) against 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) for 5051A, about 187% more; tensile strength follows at 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) vs 175 MPa (25.4 ksi). In exchange, 5051A is the more ductile: elongation 24% versus 12% for 5052, and 5052 is harder (60 HB vs 45 HB). 5051A conducts heat better (155 W/m·K vs 138 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 5052 machines more easily (50 vs 38 out of 100) and 5052 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 5051A (standard, $$).
5051AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
5052Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
5051A 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
Bulk 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: Poisson's Ratio 0.33
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 2.68 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 150°C302 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 35 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 4.93×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.94 µΩ·in
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)
Embodied Water
Same in both: 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 | 5051A | 5052 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ 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.
5051A vs 5052 — frequently asked
Is 5052 stronger than 5051A?
Yes. 5052 has a typical yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) against 68 MPa (9.86 ksi) for 5051A — about 187% more. Tensile strength is 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) vs 175 MPa (25.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 5051A or 5052?
5052 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 5051A is standard ($$). 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, 5051A or 5052?
5052, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 38/100 for 5051A.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5051A 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.