Aluminum 5052 properties
Aluminum 5052 is a 5000 series aluminum‑magnesium alloy, with a density of 2,68 g/cm³, not heat treatable but hardenable by cold working. It stands out for its excellent corrosion resistance, especially against seawater and saline environments, and for its good weldability, which makes it a frequent choice in marine applications, pressure vessels and architectural elements.
Chemical composition
Section titled “Chemical composition”Aluminum 5052 contains a minimum of 95,7 % aluminum, with a magnesium range between 2,2 % and 2,8 % as the main alloying element. The following table gives the complete chemical composition according to EN 573‑3.
| Element | Content (% by weight) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum (Al) | Balance (≥ 95,7) |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2,2 – 2,8 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0,15 – 0,35 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0,4 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0,25 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0,1 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0,1 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0,1 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0,05; total ≤ 0,15 |
Physical properties
Section titled “Physical properties”The density of aluminum 5052 is 2,68 g/cm³ (0,0968 lb/in³), placing it among the lightest metals most widely used in engineering.
| Property | Metric value | Imperial value |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 2,68 g/cm³ | 0,0968 lb/in³ |
Mechanical properties
Section titled “Mechanical properties”The tensile strength of aluminum 5052 in the annealed (O) temper reaches 195 MPa (28,3 ksi), while in H38 temper it rises to 290 MPa (42,1 ksi). The mechanical properties vary significantly with the degree of work hardening, as shown in the following table for the most common tempers.
| Temper | Tensile strength (MPa) | Yield strength (0,2 %) (MPa) | Typical elongation (%) | Tensile strength (ksi) | Yield strength (ksi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O (annealed) | 195 | 89,6 | 25 | 28,3 | 13,0 |
| H32 | 228 | 193 | 12 | 33,0 | 28,0 |
| H34 | 262 | 214 | 8 | 38,0 | 31,0 |
| H36 | 276 | 241 | 6 | 40,0 | 35,0 |
| H38 | 290 | 255 | 5 | 42,1 | 37,0 |
The Young’s modulus is 69,3 GPa (10 050 ksi) and Poisson’s ratio is 0,33. The Brinell hardness in the O temper is approximately 45 HBW and reaches 69 HBW in H14 temper.
Thermal properties
Section titled “Thermal properties”The thermal conductivity of aluminum 5052 is 138 W/m·K and its melting point is 607 °C (1125 °F). These characteristics allow it to operate at temperatures below 200‑250 °C without significant loss of properties.
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity (at 25 °C) | 138 | W/m·K |
| Coefficient of linear expansion (20‑100 °C) | 23,8 × 10⁻⁶ | /°C |
| Specific heat | 880 | J/kg·K |
| Melting point | 607 (1125) | °C (°F) |
Machinability
Section titled “Machinability”The machinability of aluminum 5052 is fair, and better results are obtained in hard temper than in the annealed state. Machining operations, except for very light cuts, require oil‑based lubricants to ensure adequate surface finish and prolong tool life.
Forming
Section titled “Forming”Aluminum 5052 can be cold formed at room temperature with bending up to 80° without cracking. However, repeated cold forming operations progressively reduce its deep drawing and bending capacity; therefore it is common to use intermediate annealing in parts with high shape requirements.
Welding
Section titled “Welding”Joining of aluminum 5052 components can be performed by all conventional methods (gas, arc and resistance), obtaining good quality welds. If filler material is needed, rods of alloy 5052, 5356 or 4043 are recommended, depending on the specific strength and exposure requirements.
Heat treatment
Section titled “Heat treatment”Aluminum 5052 does not allow precipitation hardening; its strength is increased exclusively by cold working. Annealing is performed between 345 and 415 °C (650‑775 °F) with controlled air cooling, restoring maximum ductility before further forming stages.
Applications
Section titled “Applications”Thanks to its high corrosion resistance in marine environments and good formability, aluminum 5052 is used in a wide range of industries:
- Naval and offshore: hulls, superstructures, storage tanks and piping exposed to salt water.
- Transportation: fuel lines, liquid tanks, heat exchangers, body panels and trailer components.
- Construction and architecture: cladding, roofing, window frames, decorative panels and ceilings.
- Food industry and appliances: kitchen utensils, containers, refrigerator interior panels.
- Various components: rivets, wire, lighting reflectors and lightweight metal furniture.
Comparison with similar materials
Section titled “Comparison with similar materials”| Alloy | Typical temper | Tensile strength (MPa) | Main characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5052‑O | O | 195 | Excellent marine corrosion resistance, non‑heat treatable. |
| 3003‑H14 | H14 | 155 | Lower strength, higher formability, lower cost. |
| 5083‑O | O | 275 | Higher strength for ships, similar corrosion resistance. |
| 6061‑T6 | T6 | 310 | Heat treatable, higher mechanical strength, lower corrosion resistance in saline environments. |
| 1100‑H14 | H14 | 125 | Commercially pure aluminum, lowest strength and hardness. |
5052 excels over 6061 in marine environments due to its immunity to stress corrosion, while compared to 3003 it offers a distinctly higher strength‑to‑weight ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Section titled “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)”What is the tensile strength of aluminum 5052 in H32 temper?
Section titled “What is the tensile strength of aluminum 5052 in H32 temper?”The tensile strength of 5052‑H32 is 228 MPa (33 ksi) as a typical value, with a yield strength of 193 MPa (28 ksi). According to ASTM B209, the allowed range may vary between 31,0 and 38,0 ksi.
Can aluminum 5052 be easily welded?
Section titled “Can aluminum 5052 be easily welded?”Yes, 5052 exhibits excellent weldability with arc, resistance and gas methods. The most common filler material is alloy 5356.
Is it possible to harden 5052 by heat treatment?
Section titled “Is it possible to harden 5052 by heat treatment?”No, aluminum 5052 is not heat treatable. Hardening is only achieved by cold working (work hardening). Annealing allows recovery of lost ductility.
For which marine applications is it especially recommended?
Section titled “For which marine applications is it especially recommended?”Thanks to its corrosion resistance in seawater and salt fog, 5052 is used in boat hulls, liquefied natural gas tanks, naval superstructures and salt water piping.
At what temperature does 5052 begin to lose strength?
Section titled “At what temperature does 5052 begin to lose strength?”Aluminum 5052 experiences a noticeable drop in strength above 200 °C (392 °F). Below this temperature it maintains its properties, and it is also suitable for cryogenic applications.
What differentiates 5052 from 6061?
Section titled “What differentiates 5052 from 6061?”The main difference is that 6061 is heat treatable and reaches higher strengths after artificial aging (T6), while 5052 offers notably better marine corrosion resistance and easier formability. In saline environments 5052 is preferred even if the mechanical strength is lower.
References
Section titled “References”- azom.com: https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6626
- engineeringtoolbox.com: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/properties-aluminum-pipe-d_1340.html
- steelnumber.com: https://www.steelnumber.com/en/steel_alloy_composition_eu.php?name_id=1088