Aluminum 5052-H32 vs 6061-T6
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 5052-H32 and 6061-T6 are both aluminum grades, compared here in the H32 and T6 conditions. 6061-T6 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 276 MPa (40 ksi) against 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) for 5052-H32, about 42% more; tensile strength follows at 310 MPa (45 ksi) vs 230 MPa (33.4 ksi). 6061-T6 is harder — 95 HB against 60 HB for 5052-H32 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 6061-T6 runs hotter in service (170°C vs 150°C continuous) and 6061-T6 conducts heat better (167 W/m·K vs 138 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 6061-T6 machines more easily (very good vs fair) and 5052-H32 forms better (very good vs fair).
6061-T6Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Buyer's decision notes
Choose 5052-H32 for formed and welded sheet-metal housings, pans and brackets. Choose 6061-T6 for machined parts, structural extrusions and plate components where heat-treated strength and machining behavior matter more than tight brake forming.
Compare the same condition
This route compares a defined 5052 sheet temper with a 6061 heat-treated condition that can be sold as sheet, plate, bar or extrusion. Match product form, thickness and direction before reading the property bars; do not use an extrusion value to release a bent-sheet design.
- Bending
- 5052-H32 is the usual starting point for repeatable sheet forming. A 6061-T6 bend needs a larger, process-qualified radius and closer attention to grain direction and cracking; if the shape is central to the design, qualify the actual gauge and bend route.
- Machining
- 6061-T6 generally gives the cleaner choice for milled pockets, tapped features and dimensionally controlled billet work. 5052 can be machined, but soft, gummy cutting behavior and burr control can erase a material-price advantage on a machining-heavy part.
- Welded properties
- Both alloys can be welded with an appropriate procedure, but the heat-affected zone does not retain the catalog strength of the starting temper. Size the joint using qualified post-weld properties and specify whether cosmetic weld dressing is allowed.
- Surface finish
- Both accept common aluminum finishes, yet anodized shade and gloss depend on alloy, temper, sheet finish and weld metal. Mark the cosmetic side, brushing direction, weld visibility and acceptable color variation on the drawing.
Put this on the RFQ
- State sheet, plate or extrusion; exact temper; gauge; grain direction; bend radii; and whether dimensions apply before or after forming.
- Call out weld locations, acceptable heat distortion, weld dressing and the inspection condition after welding.
- Define anodize or conversion-coating specification, class, cosmetic face, masking and any lot-matching requirement.
Primary references
- Hydro — 5052 aluminum — Producer overview of 5052 as a non-heat-treatable alloy used in sheet, plate and tube with good forming workability.
- Kaiser Aluminum — 6061 sheet and plate — Producer data for 6061 flat-rolled products, including product-form and temper-specific information.
FabDigit resources: 5052-H32 datasheet, 6061-T6 datasheet, CNC design guide and sheet-metal design guide.
5052-H32 vs 6061-T6: 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)
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 69 GPa10 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Elongation at Break 12%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
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
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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%
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 | 5052-H32 | 6061-T6 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | T6 |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 16 finishes: Anodizing Type II, Cerakote, Chem Film (Alodine), DLC, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE, Hard Anodizing Type III, Nickel Plating and 4 more.
5052-H32 vs 6061-T6 — frequently asked
Is 6061-T6 stronger than 5052-H32?
Yes. 6061-T6 has a typical yield strength of 276 MPa (40 ksi) against 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) for 5052-H32 — about 42% more. Tensile strength is 310 MPa (45 ksi) vs 230 MPa (33.4 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 5052-H32 or 6061-T6?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, 5052-H32 or 6061-T6?
6061-T6. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against fair (50/100) for 5052-H32; for welding the order is 5052-H32 first (excellent, 90/100) then 6061-T6 (excellent, 85/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5052-H32 and 6061-T6 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.