Nickel Alloy Alloy 52
UNS N14052 · ASTM F30 Alloy 52
Alloy 52 (N14052, ASTM F30) is a 50Ni-50Fe controlled-expansion alloy with thermal expansion matched to hard glasses, used for glass-to-metal seals that need a higher expansion than Alloy 42 provides.
Reference datasheet — Alloy 52 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the Annealed condition
Alloy 52 tempers and conditions
Alloy 52 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wet-hydrogen (decarburising) annealed | Pick when the part must be gas-free and carbon-free for hermetic glass-to-metal or vacuum-tube service. | 260 | 490 | 38 | 140 HB | 4 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault bright/vacuum annealed, soft (sealing condition) | Standard stocked condition for strip, sheet, rod and wire that will be formed and then glass-sealed. | 280 | 520 | 35 | 150 HB | 4 % IACS |
Hot rolled / hot finished bar and plate | Economical starting stock for machined feedthrough bodies and flanges; anneal before sealing. | 300 | 540 | 30 | 160 HB | 4 % IACS |
after forming/machining, dimensional stabilisation | Use for machined or drawn parts that must hold dimensions and expansion match without full softening. | 380 | 580 | 28 | 178 HB | 4 % IACS |
Cold drawn bar / wire (as-drawn, ~1/2 hard) | Choose for straight, close-tolerance pins and lead wire needing higher strength and better chip control. | 560 | 720 | 15 | 21 HRC | 3.9 % IACS |
Cold rolled strip, 1/2 hard | Strip temper for stamped lids, eyelets and thermostat bimetal laminates needing some springback. | 620 | 760 | 10 | 24 HRC | 3.8 % IACS |
Cold rolled strip, full hard (≥50 % reduction) | Maximum strength/stiffness sheet condition for flat springs and shims; very limited bending. | 830 | 950 | 3 | 31 HRC | 3.9 % IACS |
Spring temper wire (hard drawn) | Hard-drawn fine wire for springy leads and coil elements where expansion match still matters. | 950 | 1,080 | 2 | 34 HRC | 3.7 % IACS |
What is Alloy 52?
Alloy 52 (N14052, ASTM F30) is a 50Ni-50Fe controlled-expansion alloy with thermal expansion matched to hard glasses, used for glass-to-metal seals that need a higher expansion than Alloy 42 provides. Annealed material runs about 280 MPa yield, 520 MPa tensile, 35% elongation and 150 HB (80 HRB) with a formability rating of 80, and it is stocked as strip, wire, rod and tube in annealed, hydrogen-annealed, stress-relieved, cold-drawn, half-hard, full-hard and spring tempers. Machinability is poor (rated 30) and the alloy offers no useful corrosion resistance, so plating or controlled oxidation is standard. Alloy 42 is the alternative when the seal partner is borosilicate glass or silicon. Alloy 52 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 52% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Alloy 52 has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 82% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 150 GPa (21.8 Msi).
What is Alloy 52 used for?
- glass-to-metal seals
- vacuum tube components
- hermetic connector pins
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 7.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 96% of nickel alloy grades
- High electrical conductivity — 4 % IACS, better than 93% of nickel alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 91% of nickel alloy grades
- Easy to machine — 30/100, better than 90% of nickel alloy grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 99% of nickel alloy grades
- Low stiffness — 150 GPa (21.8 Msi), worse than 95% of nickel alloy grades
- Low strength — 280 MPa (40.6 ksi), worse than 82% of nickel alloy grades
- Limited service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), worse than 78% of nickel alloy grades
Alloy 52 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Alloy 52-Annealed; bars are the position among nickel alloy grades.
Physical3
Alloy 52 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 52% of nickel alloy grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
Alloy 52 has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 82% of nickel alloy grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 150 GPa (21.8 Msi).
Thermal5
Alloy 52 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 13.5 W/m·K (7.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 73% of nickel alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 9.9 µm/m·K (5.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Alloy 52 conducts electricity at 4 % IACS, better than 93% of nickel alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 99% of nickel alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Alloy 52 takes about 95 MJ of energy and emits 7.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of nickel alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
Alloy 52's machinability is poor (30/100, better than 90% of nickel alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability very good (80/100).
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 nickel alloy family
Yield strength against density for every nickel alloy grade FabDigit runs. Alloy 52 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Alloy 52
Is Alloy 52 easy to machine?
Machines like an austenitic Ni-Fe alloy: gummy and work-hardening — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, 20–40 m/min, heavy flood of sulphurised oil, avoid dwelling.
Can Alloy 52 be welded?
TIG, laser, resistance and electron-beam welding all sound with matching 52 filler; keep carbon and sulphur out of the joint and re-anneal to restore expansion behaviour.
Can Alloy 52 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing, stamping and wire-drawing in the annealed state; interstage anneal at 800–950 °C in dry hydrogen or vacuum after heavy reductions.
Alloy 52 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 |
|---|---|---|
| NiNi (+Co) per ASTM F30 Alloy 52; GB 4J50 specifies 49.5–50.5 Ni | 50 – 51 | 50.5 |
| Coresidual, counted with Ni | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Clow C for gas-tight sealing | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Al | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mg | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zr | ≤ 0.1 | |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on Alloy 52?
No anodizing; use controlled oxidation (thin adherent Fe-Ni oxide) for glass wetting, or electroless/electrolytic Ni and Ni+Au plating for corrosion protection and solderability.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on nickel alloy 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).
Plating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Nickel Alloy Alloy 52 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- N14052
- ASTM
- F30 Alloy 52
How much does Alloy 52 cost?
Alloy 52 is a high-cost nickel alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Alloy 52 — frequently asked
What is Alloy 52 used for?
Alloy 52 is typically used for glass-to-metal seals, vacuum tube components and hermetic connector pins. In short: higher expansion than Alloy 42; hard-glass sealing standard; wide temper range available.
What is the yield strength of Alloy 52?
Alloy 52 has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 82% of nickel alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is Alloy 52 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, better than 90% of nickel alloy grades). Machines like an austenitic Ni-Fe alloy: gummy and work-hardening — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setup, 20–40 m/min, heavy flood of sulphurised oil, avoid dwelling.
Can Alloy 52 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). TIG, laser, resistance and electron-beam welding all sound with matching 52 filler; keep carbon and sulphur out of the joint and re-anneal to restore expansion behaviour.
What surface finishes work on Alloy 52?
No anodizing; use controlled oxidation (thin adherent Fe-Ni oxide) for glass wetting, or electroless/electrolytic Ni and Ni+Au plating for corrosion protection and solderability.
Can Alloy 52 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing, stamping and wire-drawing in the annealed state; interstage anneal at 800–950 °C in dry hydrogen or vacuum after heavy reductions.
What is the maximum service temperature of Alloy 52?
Alloy 52 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Alloy 52 cost?
Alloy 52 is a high-cost nickel alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
Sources
- ASTM F30 — Standard Specification for Iron-Nickel Sealing Alloys — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Low-Expansion Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- NILO Alloy 52 datasheet — Special Metals / Precision Castparts (2004)
- Glass Sealing Alloy 52 technical data — Carpenter Technology (2017)
- YB/T 5241 / GB/T 15018 4J50 (2019)
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.