5052 Aluminum

Representative aluminum raw/semi-finished material photo; exact grade not verified

5052 Aluminum (AA 5052, UNS A95052) is a non-heat-treatable wrought aluminum–magnesium alloy widely supplied as sheet, plate, strip, and coil. Its 2.2–2.8% magnesium addition provides appreciably higher strength than commercially pure aluminum while retaining excellent atmospheric and marine corrosion resistance. Chromium helps control the alloy structure and supports corrosion performance. Strength is developed principally by cold work, making O and stabilized H3x tempers important purchasing conditions. 5052 is especially valued for formed and welded fabrications such as tanks, enclosures, marine components, and architectural sheet where corrosion resistance and workable medium strength are required.

Chemical Composition (wt.%)
Chemical Composition wt.%
Element	Min	Max
Silicon	—	0.25
Iron	—	0.40
Copper	—	0.10
Manganese	—	0.10
Magnesium	2.2	2.8
Chromium	0.15	0.35
Zinc	—	0.10
Others, each	—	0.05
Others, total	—	0.15
Aluminum	Remainder

Composition notes

Silicon: Maximum
Iron: Maximum
Copper: Maximum
Manganese: Maximum
Zinc: Maximum
Others, each: Maximum
Others, total: Maximum

Registered wrought-alloy composition limits are reported in mass percent. Aluminum is the remainder. “Others” limits apply to individual unspecified elements and their total; elements not listed with a value are not specified as composition requirements in the registered entry.

Values below are supplier-reported reference values for 5052 in the stated temper. Mechanical properties of wrought aluminum vary with product form, thickness, temper, and the governing specification; use the applicable product standard for design and procurement.

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Table of 5052 Aluminum Properties

Table of 5052 Aluminum Properties
Physical Properties	Metric
Density	2.68 g/cm³2.68 g/cm³
Mechanical Properties	Metric
Tensile Strength (O)	193 MPa
Yield Strength (O)	89.6 MPa
Tensile Strength (H32)	228 MPa
Yield Strength (H32)	193 MPa
Tensile Strength (H34)	262 MPa
Yield Strength (H34)	214 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity	70.3 GPa
Thermal Properties	Metric
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20–100 °C)	23.8 µm/m·°C
Thermal Conductivity	138 W/m·K
Electrical Properties	Metric
Electrical Resistivity	1.965 microohm-in

Test conditions & data notes

Density: 5052-O, 5052-H32, and 5052-H34
Tensile Strength (O): 5052-O
Yield Strength (O): 5052-O
Tensile Strength (H32): 5052-H32
Yield Strength (H32): 5052-H32
Tensile Strength (H34): 5052-H34
Yield Strength (H34): 5052-H34
Modulus of Elasticity: 5052-O, 5052-H32, and 5052-H34
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20–100 °C): 5052-O, 5052-H32, and 5052-H34
Thermal Conductivity: 5052-O, 5052-H32, and 5052-H34
Electrical Resistivity: 5052 reference data

Material Conditions & Tempers

5052 is strengthened by strain hardening rather than precipitation heat treatment. Annealed O temper is selected where maximum formability is needed; stabilized H3x tempers combine cold-work strength with stabilization intended to provide stable flat-rolled properties.

Condition	Tensile Strength	Yield / Proof Strength	Notes
O	193 MPa	89.6 MPa	Annealed condition with the lowest listed strength and the greatest forming latitude among the conditions shown. Supplier reference values.
H32	228 MPa	193 MPa	Strain-hardened and stabilized temper offering a practical balance of formability and strength for sheet and coil fabrications. Supplier reference values.
H34	262 MPa	214 MPa	Higher cold-work strength than H32, generally selected where forming severity is lower or greater stiffness is useful. Supplier reference values.

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages	Limitations
Excellent resistance to atmospheric and marine corrosion makes 5052 a strong choice for salt-air exposure and wet-service fabrications. Magnesium strengthening gives useful medium strength without sacrificing the low density characteristic of aluminum alloys. It is readily strengthened by cold work, allowing O, H32, and H34 conditions to be matched to forming and strength requirements. Good weldability supports fabricated tanks, housings, ductwork, and structural sheet assemblies. Its sheet and coil availability, workability, and stable H3x temper options make it practical for repeatable formed parts.	5052 is non-heat-treatable; it cannot be precipitation hardened in the manner of 6xxx or 7xxx aluminum alloys. Strength remains moderate relative to high-strength heat-treatable aluminum alloys, so highly loaded structural designs may require a different grade or greater section thickness. Higher-strength H tempers have less forming latitude than annealed O temper; bend radii and draw severity should be selected accordingly. Machinability is generally fair rather than exceptional, and cutting practice should account for the alloy’s comparatively soft, ductile behavior. Welding and subsequent thermal exposure can locally alter strain-hardened properties; joint design and applicable code requirements should govern welded construction.

Advantages

Limitations

Excellent resistance to atmospheric and marine corrosion makes 5052 a strong choice for salt-air exposure and wet-service fabrications.
Magnesium strengthening gives useful medium strength without sacrificing the low density characteristic of aluminum alloys.
It is readily strengthened by cold work, allowing O, H32, and H34 conditions to be matched to forming and strength requirements.
Good weldability supports fabricated tanks, housings, ductwork, and structural sheet assemblies.
Its sheet and coil availability, workability, and stable H3x temper options make it practical for repeatable formed parts.

5052 is non-heat-treatable; it cannot be precipitation hardened in the manner of 6xxx or 7xxx aluminum alloys.
Strength remains moderate relative to high-strength heat-treatable aluminum alloys, so highly loaded structural designs may require a different grade or greater section thickness.
Higher-strength H tempers have less forming latitude than annealed O temper; bend radii and draw severity should be selected accordingly.
Machinability is generally fair rather than exceptional, and cutting practice should account for the alloy’s comparatively soft, ductile behavior.
Welding and subsequent thermal exposure can locally alter strain-hardened properties; joint design and applicable code requirements should govern welded construction.

Processing & Fabrication

Process	Description
Cold forming	5052 is commonly selected for bending, roll forming, drawing, and press forming. Use O temper for the most demanding forming operations; H32 and H34 provide higher strength but reduced ductility.
Welding	The alloy has good weldability and is widely used in welded sheet fabrications. Clean surfaces, appropriate filler selection, and a qualified welding procedure are important where corrosion performance and joint strength are critical.
Machining	Machinability is fair. Sharp tooling, secure workholding, suitable lubrication, and chip-control practice help produce clean edges and reduce built-up edge.
Finishing	5052 accepts common mechanical and chemical finishing operations. Surface preparation should be controlled before coating, bonding, or corrosion-critical service.

Applications

5052 is used where a formed or welded aluminum product needs better corrosion resistance and strength than commercially pure aluminum, without the heat treatment associated with 6xxx alloys.

Marine sheet components: Excellent marine-atmosphere corrosion resistance and good weldability suit boat fittings, housings, panels, and non-critical fabricated structures.
Fuel, oil, and fluid tanks: The alloy’s corrosion resistance, weldability, and formability support lightweight fabricated tank construction where the service medium and applicable regulations permit.
Electrical and electronic enclosures: Sheet can be bent into durable housings while retaining low weight and good resistance to normal atmospheric exposure.
Architectural and building sheet: Its resistance to weathering and ability to take formed profiles make it useful for trim, cladding details, and equipment housings.
Appliance, ducting, and general sheet-metal parts: H32 and H34 tempers offer a useful strength-formability balance for repeatable press-formed and roll-formed components.

Standards & Designations

Designation	Value	Description
Aluminum Association	AA 5052	Active registered wrought aluminum alloy designation.
UNS	A95052	UNS designation identified by the coil-product source.
ISO	AlMg2.5	Former ISO cross-reference shown for 5052 in the Aluminum Association Teal Sheets.
ASTM	ASTM B209	Typical specification cited for 5052 aluminum sheet and plate.
ASME	ASME SB209	Typical ASME specification cited for 5052.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 5052 Aluminum heat treatable?

No. 5052 is a non-heat-treatable aluminum–magnesium alloy. Its strength is increased primarily through cold work, so temper selection—such as O, H32, or H34—is central to specifying the material.

What is the difference between 5052-H32 and 5052-H34?

Both are strain-hardened, stabilized conditions, but H34 is the higher-strength condition in the supplied data. The listed tensile strength is 262 MPa for H34 versus 228 MPa for H32; H32 is commonly chosen when a better strength-formability balance is needed.

Why is 5052 often chosen for marine and tank applications?

Its magnesium-containing composition provides very good corrosion resistance, particularly in marine atmospheres, while its good weldability and sheet-forming capability support fabricated panels, enclosures, and tanks. Compatibility with the actual contained fluid and applicable design code must still be verified.

References & Data Notes

(n.d.). The Aluminum Association, International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys (Teal Sheets), December 2025. https://www.aluminum.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/Teal%20Sheets%20December%202025.pdf
(n.d.). Gabrian International, 5052 Aluminum Alloy: Properties. https://www.gabrian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/5052-Aluminum-Alloy-Properties.pdf
(n.d.). Rolled Metal Products, Aluminum 5052. https://rolledmetalproducts.com/aluminum-5052

Chemical composition is taken from the Aluminum Association registered wrought-alloy listing. Property values are reference data for explicitly stated tempers and are not universal specification minima; verify required product form, thickness range, temper, test method, and governing standard with the supplier.