5052-H32
Quarter-hard, stabilised. The standard temper for general fabrication: brakes cleanly to tight radii, welds well and is strong enough for tanks, boxes and body panels.
Formable marine-grade sheet
5052 Aluminium Sheet & Plate
5052 is the strongest of the commonly stocked non-heat-treatable sheet alloys that still bends easily, and it resists seawater and fuels very well. That combination makes 5052-H32 the default sheet for tanks, enclosures, boats and vehicle bodies. Metline supplies 5052 sheet, plate and coil in O, H32, H34 and harder tempers to ASTM B209 and EN 485, cut to size and shipped worldwide.
- Alloy
- 5052 (Al-Mg 2.5-Cr)
- Tempers
- O, H32, H34, H36, H38
- Thickness
- 0.2 – 150 mm
- Standards
- ASTM B209 · EN 485 · JIS H4000
What is 5052 aluminium?
5052 contains about 2.5 % magnesium and a small chromium addition. Magnesium in solid solution gives strength and seawater resistance; chromium refines the grain and improves resistance to stress corrosion. Strength is then raised by cold rolling into the H3x tempers.
In the H32 temper, 5052 offers roughly 50 % more tensile strength than 3003-H14 while still forming tight bends without cracking. It welds readily with no meaningful loss of strength in the O condition, and it does not suffer the sensitisation problem that affects higher-magnesium alloys in hot service, because its magnesium content is below about 3 %.
Those properties explain why 5052 appears in so many different industries: fuel tanks and pressure vessels, electronic enclosures, truck and trailer bodies, boat hulls under about 10 m, road signs, appliance panels and the honeycomb core used in sandwich panels. It is one of the most widely stocked aluminium sheet grades in the world, which keeps availability high.
5052 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits are the Aluminum Association values, followed by ASTM B209 and by EN 573-3 for EN AW-5052 (AlMg2.5). The actual analysis of each lot appears on the mill test certificate.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.25 | Impurity |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.40 | Impurity |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 | Kept low for corrosion resistance |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.10 | |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.2 | 2.8 | Main strengthening element |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.15 | 0.35 | Grain control, stress-corrosion resistance |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.10 | |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | About 96 – 97.5 % |
5052 mechanical properties by temper
Typical values are what the alloy usually achieves; ASTM B209 and EN 485-2 set minimum or banded values that you should design to. The minimums for H32 sheet, for example, are 215 MPa tensile and 160 MPa yield.
| Temper | Typical tensile | Typical yield (0.2 %) | Elongation (1.6 mm) | Brinell hardness | Fatigue strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | 193 MPa | 89 MPa | 25 % | 47 HB | 110 MPa |
| H32 | 228 MPa | 193 MPa | 12 % | 60 HB | 117 MPa |
| H34 | 262 MPa | 214 MPa | 10 % | 68 HB | 124 MPa |
| H36 | 276 MPa | 241 MPa | 8 % | 73 HB | 131 MPa |
| H38 | 290 MPa | 255 MPa | 7 % | 77 HB | 138 MPa |
Typical values from ASM / Aluminum Association data; fatigue strength at 5×108 cycles (R. R. Moore). Not design allowables.
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.68 g/cm³ (0.097 lb/in³)
- Modulus of elasticity
- 70.3 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- 138 W/m·K (H32)
- Electrical conductivity
- 35 % IACS
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- 23.8 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Melting range
- 607 – 649 °C
Which 5052 temper should you order?
5052-H34
Half-hard, stabilised. Higher strength and stiffness for flat panels, covers and signage, with a slightly larger bend radius.
5052-O
Annealed. Used for deep drawing, spinning and heavy forming such as tank heads and complex pressings.
5052-H36 / H38
Three-quarter and full-hard. For springy parts, fins and strip that will not be formed sharply.
5052-H112
As-fabricated plate above about 6 mm, with properties from hot rolling; used where the plate is machined or welded rather than formed.
5052-H111
Slightly strain hardened after annealing; behaves much like O temper with marginally higher strength.
5052 standards and international equivalents
| System | Designation | Sheet / plate standard |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Association / ASTM | 5052 | ASTM B209 (ASME SB-209) |
| Aerospace (SAE) | 5052-O / H32 / H34 | AMS 4015, AMS 4016, AMS 4017 |
| UNS | A95052 | — |
| European (EN) | EN AW-5052 / AlMg2.5 | EN 485-1/-2/-4, EN 573-3 |
| German Werkstoff | 3.3523 | DIN EN 485 |
| ISO | AlMg2.5 | ISO 6361 |
| Japan (JIS) | A5052P | JIS H4000 |
| China (GB) | 5052 | GB/T 3880, GB/T 3190 |
| India (IS) | 52000 (closest) | IS 737 |
In Europe, 5754 is often stocked in place of 5052. The two are close but not identical: 5754 has slightly more magnesium and manganese, so check the drawing before substituting.
5052 sheet and plate sizes
Supply range
- Thickness
- Sheet 0.2 – 6 mm; plate 6 – 150 mm
- Width
- 1000, 1220, 1250, 1500, 2000 mm; up to about 2500 mm for plate
- Length
- 2000, 2440, 2500, 3000, 4000, 6000 mm or cut to size
- Imperial
- 48 × 96 in, 48 × 120 in, 60 × 120 in; gauges 0.025 – 0.250 in
- Surface
- Mill finish, PVC film, brushed, embossed (stucco), tread plate
- Processing
- Shearing, saw cutting, laser, waterjet, slitting to strip
5052 weighs 2.68 kg per m² per millimetre of thickness, slightly less than 6061. The table gives common sheet weights; use the weight calculator for others.
| Thickness (mm) | kg per m² | 1220 × 2440 mm (kg) | 1250 × 2500 mm (kg) | 1500 × 3000 mm (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.34 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 6.0 |
| 0.8 | 2.14 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 9.6 |
| 1 | 2.68 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 12.1 |
| 1.2 | 3.22 | 9.6 | 10.1 | 14.5 |
| 1.5 | 4.02 | 12.0 | 12.6 | 18.1 |
| 2 | 5.36 | 16.0 | 16.8 | 24.1 |
| 2.5 | 6.70 | 19.9 | 20.9 | 30.2 |
| 3 | 8.04 | 23.9 | 25.1 | 36.2 |
| 4 | 10.72 | 31.9 | 33.5 | 48.2 |
| 5 | 13.40 | 39.9 | 41.9 | 60.3 |
| 6 | 16.08 | 47.9 | 50.2 | 72.4 |
| 8 | 21.44 | 63.8 | 67.0 | 96.5 |
| 10 | 26.80 | 79.8 | 83.8 | 120.6 |
| 12 | 32.16 | 95.7 | 100.5 | 144.7 |
| 16 | 42.88 | 127.6 | 134.0 | 193.0 |
| 20 | 53.60 | 159.6 | 167.5 | 241.2 |
Tolerances and inspection
Unless the order states otherwise, 5052 is supplied to the standard tolerance tables of ASTM B209 (ANSI H35.2) or EN 485-4 (cold-rolled sheet) and EN 485-3 (hot-rolled plate). Cut-to-size blanks can be held to about ±0.5 mm.
- Thickness, width, length, squareness and flatness checked against the order standard
- Visual inspection for scratches, roll marks and corrosion stains
- Tensile test results and cast analysis on the EN 10204 3.1 certificate
- Optional third-party inspection or witness testing
Forming, welding, machining and finishing
Bending
5052-H32 sheet up to about 3 mm typically bends to an inside radius of 0.5 – 1 × thickness; H34 needs about 1 – 1.5 × t. Use O temper for very tight forming.
Welding
MIG and TIG weld easily. ER5356 is the usual filler; ER5554 is preferred for service above 65 °C. The weld zone falls to about O-temper strength.
Machining
Gummy in soft tempers. Use sharp, polished, high-rake tools, high speeds and plenty of lubricant; harder tempers machine better.
Anodising
Anodises well with a slightly yellow tint compared with 5005; good for protective and coloured finishes.
Painting
Takes powder coat and liquid paint after suitable conversion coating.
Corrosion
Very good in seawater and marine air. Isolate from steel and copper fasteners with washers and sealant.
Where 5052 sheet and plate are used
- Tanks: fuel tanks, hydraulic reservoirs, water tanks and road tanker parts
- Marine: small boat hulls, decks, bulkheads, fuel tanks and fittings
- Transport: truck bodies, trailer side panels, bus and rail interiors
- Electronics: enclosures, chassis, cabinets and heat-dissipating panels
- Building: roofing, wall panels, signs and street furniture
- Appliances: refrigerator liners, cooker hoods and kitchen equipment
- Honeycomb: 5052 foil for aerospace and architectural honeycomb cores
- Pressure vessels: low-pressure vessels and heat exchanger shells
5052 compared with 3003, 5754, 5083 and 6061
| Property | 5052-H32 | 3003-H14 | 5754-H22 | 5083-H111 | 6061-T6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical tensile | 228 MPa | 150 MPa | ≈ 245 MPa | ≈ 300 MPa | 310 MPa |
| Typical yield | 193 MPa | 145 MPa | ≈ 185 MPa | ≈ 150 MPa | 276 MPa |
| Formability | Very good | Excellent | Very good | Good | Limited in T6 |
| Weld strength retention | High | High | High | High | Low (HAZ softens) |
| Seawater resistance | Very good | Good | Very good | Excellent | Fair–good |
| Above 65 °C service | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Choose 5052 over 6061 when the part is bent, welded or exposed to seawater; choose 6061 when it is machined from thick plate and needs higher yield. Move up to 5083 for large welded marine structures.
How to order 5052 sheet and plate
- SpecifyAlloy and temper (e.g. 5052-H32), thickness, width and length or drawing, quantity, governing standard (ASTM B209, AMS 4017, EN 485) and any surface or film requirement.
- QuoteWe confirm alloy, temper, tolerances, certification, packing and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your destination.
- ProcessMaterial is cut, filmed where needed and inspected for dimensions and surface before packing.
- DocumentEach delivery carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with the cast analysis and mechanical test results; third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
- ShipSheets and plates are interleaved or film-protected, packed in seaworthy wooden cases or on pallets, and shipped by sea or air on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
References and standards
- ASTM B209 – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
- SAE AMS 4017 – Aluminum Alloy Sheet and Plate, 2.5Mg 0.25Cr (5052-H34)
- EN 485-1 to -4 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: sheet, strip and plate (technical conditions, mechanical properties, tolerances)
- EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets)
- ASM Handbook, Volume 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials
5052 aluminium (aluminum) sheet and plate: FAQs
Is 5052 aluminium marine grade?
Yes. 5052 resists seawater and marine atmospheres very well and is widely used for small boats, fuel tanks and fittings. For large welded hulls, 5083 or 5086 in H116 or H321 is normally specified because those tempers are tested for exfoliation resistance.
What is the difference between 5052-H32 and 5052-H34?
H32 is quarter-hard (typical 228 MPa tensile) and bends more easily; H34 is half-hard (typical 262 MPa) and is stiffer. Choose H32 for formed parts and H34 for flat panels needing more strength.
Can 5052 be heat-treated?
No. It is strengthened only by cold work. Heating to about 345 °C anneals it to the O temper.
Is 5052 stronger than 6061?
No. 6061-T6 has a typical yield of 276 MPa against 193 MPa for 5052-H32. But 5052 bends and welds without the strength loss that 6061 suffers in the heat-affected zone.
How much does a 5052 sheet weigh?
At 2.68 g/cm³, a 1220 × 2440 × 2 mm sheet weighs about 16.0 kg and a 1250 × 2500 × 3 mm sheet about 25.1 kg.
What is the European equivalent of 5052?
EN AW-5052 (AlMg2.5, Werkstoff 3.3523). 5754 (AlMg3) is the more common European stock grade and is often accepted as an alternative after engineering review.
Need 5052 sheet or plate?
Send the temper, thickness, size, quantity and destination. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
