5052 Aluminum Alloy Sheet and Coil
5052 aluminum alloy comes from the 5xxx series of aluminum alloys, or those which use magnesium as their primary alloying element. It has some of the best welding characteristics, has great finishing qualities, has excellent saltwater corrosion resistance, but is not easily machined. This alloy is also not heat-treatable and can only be strengthened using the work-hardening process, with 5052-H32 being the most common procedure. Type 5052 aluminum is also considered the strongest of the non-heat treatable alloys. For these reasons, 5052 aluminum works exceptionally well as sheet and plate metal, combining excellent formability and weldability with increased strength. 5052 aluminum does not contain any copper, which means it is not as susceptible to salt water corrosion as other aluminum alloys, making it a perfect choice for marine applications.
Aluminum alloys have specific percentages of alloying elements that improve material properties; these percentages are important, because they differentiate one alloy from another, especially within the same series. Type 5052 aluminum contains 97.25% Al, 2.5%Mg, and 0.25%Cr, and its density is 2.68 g/cm3. Generally, 5052 aluminum alloy is stronger than other popular alloys such as 3003 aluminum and also has improved corrosion resistance due to the absence of copper in its composition.
The properties of 5052 aluminum alloy differ based on how it is cold worked, or made stronger using the work-hardening process. When worked, or permanently altered in shape (think bending, forming, rolling, etc.), metals such as aluminum will increase in strength but decrease in malleability. This is a consequence of the metal’s molecular structure, but for the brevity of this explanation, just know that there are mechanical methods to making aluminum alloys stronger. There are several different procedures to work-harden 5052 aluminum alloy. Note that this alloy cannot be strengthened using the heat-treatment process, which other aluminum alloys such as 7075 aluminum or 6061 aluminum benefit from.
The yield strength and ultimate strength are also central values to know when specifying a material. They represent the maximum amount of stress that causes elastic (non-permanent) and plastic (permanent) deformation. The yield strength is usually the most concerning value in static applications, where the material must never permanently deform such as in structural applications. However, the ultimate strength may be necessary in specific instances, so it may not hurt to know it. 5052 aluminum alloy has a yield strength of 193 MPa and an ultimate tensile strength of 228 MPa, which means it is moderately strong when compared to other some popular alloys.
Shear strength is the strength of a material when being “sheared” by opposing forces along a plane. 5052 aluminum alloy is often exposed to this stress, as it is commonly stamped from sheet metal plate. Essentially, the force of the stamp opposes the force of the plate on the work surface, shearing (or cutting), the metal through the perpendicular plane (or the thinnest dimension of the sheet metal). 5052 aluminum alloy’ shear strength is 138 MPa (20000 psi), which is again moderately stronger than some other common alloys.
TYPICAL CHEMISTRY LIMITS:
Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Cr | Zn | Ti | Others-Each | Others Total | Al | |
| 5052 | 0.25 | 0.40 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 2.2-2.8 | 0.15-0.35 | 0.10 | – | 0.05 | 0.15 | Remainder |
TYPICAL MECHANICAL DATA:
| Alloy-Temper | Tensile Strength (ksi) | Yield Strength (ksi) | Elongation (%) |
| 5052-O | 28 | 13 | 20 |
| 5052-H34 | 38 | 31 | 6 |
| 5052-H38 | 42 | 37 | 3 |
5052 aluminum alloy is especially useful because of its increased resistance to caustic environments. All aluminum alloys form an oxide layer in the presence of air/water, which protects the chemically-active aluminum from further reacting with the outside environment. The amount of corrosion resistance is dependent upon temperature, airborne chemicals, and the proximal working environment; however, under ambient circumstances, 5052 aluminum holds up exceptionally well. Type 5052 aluminum does not contain any copper, which means it does not readily corrode in a saltwater environment that can attack and weaken copper metal composites. 5052 aluminum alloy is, therefore, the preferred alloy for marine and chemical applications, where other aluminum would weaken with time. 5052 aluminum in the presence of alkaline soil may cause corrosive effects such as pitting, but this is difficult to generalize due to high variation in soil compositions. Due to its high magnesium content, 5052 is particularly good at resisting corrosion from concentrated nitric acid, ammonia and ammonium hydroxide. Any other caustic effects can be mitigated/removed by using a protective layer coating, making 5052 aluminum alloy highly attractive for applications which need an inert-yet-tough material.
Applications of 5052 Aluminum
5052 aluminum is stronger than other popular alloys and has increased corrosion resistance. These characteristics allow 5052 aluminum to excel in the marine industry as well as in electronics and chemical applications. The uses of 5052 aluminum are vast, but some notable applications include:
- Pressure vessels
- Marine equipment
- Electronic enclosures
- Electronic chassis
- Hydraulic tubes
- Medical equipment
- Hardware signs
| Alloy | 5052 |
|---|---|
| Temper | F,O,H12,H14,H16,H18,H19,H22,H24,H26, H28,H32,H34H36,H38,H111,H112,H114 |
| Thickness | 0.1-250mm |
| Width | <4000mm |
| Length | <12000mm |
