Bending
Bend with the pattern on the outside where possible, using a radius suited to the temper; for very tight bends order O-based plate.
Tank truck material
5052 Aluminium Tread and Checkered Plate for Oil Tankers
5052 tread plate is patterned aluminium-magnesium sheet used on fuel and oil tank trucks for top walkways, catwalks, ladders, rear steps, hose and valve cabinets and fender covers. It resists fuel spills, road salt and weather without painting, gives a slip-resistant surface and weighs about one third as much as steel tread plate. Metline supplies 5052 tread plate in diamond, bar and other patterns, cut to length, to tanker builders worldwide.
- Alloy
- 5052 (Al-2.5Mg)
- Patterns
- Diamond · 3-bar · 5-bar · compass
- Base thickness
- about 1.0 – 4.5 mm
- Standards
- EN 1386 · ASTM B632 · ASTM B209
Where tread plate is used on an oil tanker
On an aluminium fuel tanker, the tank shell and heads are usually made from higher-strength 5xxx plate such as 5083, 5182, 5454 or 5754, designed to ADR or DOT pressure and impact rules. Tread plate is used around the tank, everywhere drivers and operators stand, climb or open covers. These parts face boots, spilled diesel and gasoline, wash-down chemicals, road salt and constant vibration.
- Top walkways and catwalks along manholes and vapour-recovery lines
- Access ladders, step treads and rear platforms
- Hose tubes, pump and meter cabinets, toolboxes and their doors
- Fender covers, mudguard tops and bumper steps
- Spill-containment trays and deck surfaces on the tank top
5052 is a good match for these jobs. It is stronger than 3003 tread plate, so steps and walkways can be thinner or span further, and its magnesium and chromium content give excellent resistance to salt spray and fuel contamination. It also welds readily with ER5356 filler to the 5xxx tank structure, so brackets and walkway supports can be welded directly to the shell where the design code allows.
Tread patterns and dimensions
| Pattern | Typical base thickness (mm) | Pattern height (mm) | Typical use on tankers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond (lentil / single-bar) | 2.0 – 4.0 | about 1.0 | Walkways, steps, platforms; best all-direction grip |
| Five-bar | 1.5 – 4.5 | about 1.0 | Cabinet covers, fenders, walkways |
| Three-bar | 1.0 – 4.5 | about 0.3 – 1.0 | Lighter covers and trim |
| Four-bar | 2.0 – 4.0 | about 1.0 | Step plates and floors |
| Compass | 1.5 – 4.5 | about 1.0 | Decorative and anti-slip panels |
| Crescent | 1.0 – 4.0 | about 0.7 | Panels and cabinet doors |
Supply range
- Width
- about 1000 – 1600 mm
- Length
- about 2000 – 10000 mm, or cut to size
- Finish
- Mill (stucco-like) or bright, polished finish for visible parts
- Protection
- PE film or paper interleaving on bright plate
Bright tread plate is popular on tanker toolboxes and fenders for appearance; mill-finish plate is used for walkways and hidden areas. For broader pattern and alloy options see our tread and checkered plate guide.
5052 chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Limit |
|---|---|
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.2 – 2.8 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.15 – 0.35 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.25 max |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.40 max |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.10 max |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.10 max |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.10 max |
| Others, each / total | 0.05 / 0.15 |
| Aluminium | Remainder |
Tempers and mechanical properties
Tread plate tempers describe both the starting sheet and the pattern-rolling pass. In EN 1386 and related standards, an H114 temper is plate rolled with its pattern from annealed (O) stock, giving mild work hardening; H234 and H194 indicate pattern-rolled material starting from partially annealed or hard tempers. Starting temper decides how easily the plate can be bent into steps and cabinet doors.
| Base sheet temper (for reference) | Tensile strength (MPa) | Yield min (MPa) | Bendability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5052-O | 170 – 215 | 65 | Excellent, for tight bends and deep forms |
| 5052-H32 | 215 – 265 | 160 | Good, about 1 × t inside radius |
| 5052-H34 | 235 – 285 | 180 | Fair, about 1.5 × t |
Base-sheet values from ASTM B209. Requirements for patterned plate (H114, H234, H194) are set by the tread plate standard and are confirmed on the mill certificate.
For load-bearing walkways, design with the base thickness only; the raised pattern adds grip and some stiffness but is not counted in strength calculations.
Typical tolerances
| Base thickness (mm) | Base thickness tolerance (mm) |
|---|---|
| 1.00 – 1.20 | 0 / +0.18 |
| > 1.20 – 1.60 | 0 / +0.22 |
| > 1.60 – 2.00 | 0 / +0.26 |
| > 2.00 – 2.50 | 0 / +0.30 |
| > 2.50 – 3.20 | 0 / +0.36 |
| > 3.20 – 4.00 | 0 / +0.42 |
| > 4.00 – 5.00 | 0 / +0.47 |
Tread plate standards commonly specify plus-only tolerances on base thickness, so the plate is never thinner than nominal. Width and length are typically ±5 mm on cut sheets, with diagonal difference limits of about 10 – 12 mm depending on length. Tighter cut-to-size tolerances are available as a processing option.
Fabrication tips for tanker builders
Welding
MIG or TIG with ER5356 filler; clean the pattern side thoroughly, because oil trapped in the pattern causes porosity.
Fastening
Use stainless or aluminium fasteners with isolating washers; avoid direct contact with carbon steel brackets.
Drainage
Design walkways with drain holes or slots so fuel and water do not pool.
Electrical bonding
Ensure walkways and fittings are bonded to the tank earthing system to dissipate static during loading.
Cleaning
Bright plate keeps its shine with neutral cleaners; avoid strong alkaline washes.
5052 compared with other tread plate alloys
| Alloy | Strength | Corrosion | Typical tanker use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3003 | Lower | Very good | Toolboxes and covers where load is low |
| 5052 | Medium | Excellent | Walkways, steps, cabinets |
| 5754 / 5083 | Medium-high | Excellent | Heavily loaded platforms, marine-grade decks |
| 6061-T6 | High | Good | Structural steps and ramps; less formable |
Compare with our 3003 tanker tread plate page for lighter-duty parts.
References and standards
- EN 1386 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: tread plate, specifications
- ASTM B632/B632M – Aluminum-alloy rolled tread plate
- ASTM B209 – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
- UNECE ADR – Agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road
5052 tanker tread plate: FAQs
Is 5052 tread plate used for the tank shell itself?
Generally no. Tank shells use higher-strength 5083, 5182, 5454 or 5754 plate designed to ADR or DOT rules. 5052 tread plate is used for walkways, steps, cabinets and covers.
Which pattern gives the best grip?
Diamond (single-bar) pattern grips well in all directions and is the usual choice for walkways and steps. Five-bar is common on covers and fenders.
Can 5052 tread plate be welded to the tank?
Yes, with ER5356 filler, where the tank design code permits attachments. Clean the patterned face well before welding.
What thickness is used for tanker walkways?
Commonly 3 – 4.5 mm base thickness in diamond pattern, depending on span and supports.
Does 5052 tread plate need painting?
No. It resists fuel, salt and weather in mill or bright finish. Paint or powder coat only if colour is required.
Building tankers?
Send pattern, thickness, sizes and quantity. We reply with availability, certification and a delivered quote.
