Heading
O-temper 5052 upsets readily to about 2.5 times its diameter in one blow. A clean, lubricated surface and a burr-free cut-off are what keep the head free of splits.
Rivet wire guide
5052 Aluminium Rivet Wire and Rod
5052 rivet wire is an annealed aluminium-magnesium wire drawn for cold heading into solid and blind rivets, pins and small fasteners. With about 2.5 % magnesium it is stronger than 1xxx and 3xxx rivet wire, resists seawater well and needs no heat treatment before or after heading. Metline supplies 5052-O wire from 1.6 to 10 mm in coils or straight lengths, with mill test certificates, to fastener makers worldwide.
- Alloy
- 5052 (Al-Mg 2.5)
- Temper
- O (annealed); H32 on request
- Diameter
- 1.6 – 10 mm
- Standards
- ASTM B316 · GB/T 3195
What is 5052 rivet wire?
Rivet wire is drawn wire supplied in a soft, uniform condition so that a header can upset one end into a rivet head in a single blow without splitting. 5052 rivet wire uses the familiar 5052 aluminium-magnesium alloy, the same chemistry as 5052 sheet, but processed for clean surfaces, tight diameter control and consistent softness along the whole coil.
Because 5052 is strengthened by magnesium in solid solution rather than by precipitation, the wire does not age or harden on the shelf. A coil bought today heads the same way in six months, which is a practical advantage over heat-treatable rivet alloys such as 2117 or 2017 that must be driven within a fixed time or kept refrigerated.
The headed rivet gains strength from the cold work of heading itself. A 5052 rivet is therefore noticeably stronger than its annealed wire, typically delivering a shear strength somewhere between that of 3003 and 5056 rivets, while keeping excellent resistance to marine and industrial atmospheres.
5052 rivet wire chemical composition (wt %)
The limits below are the registered values for alloy 5052 (UNS A95052, EN AW-5052 / AlMg2.5), which rivet wire standards follow. Chromium, not manganese, is the grain-control element in 5052; some older data sheets mix these up, so check the certificate against this table.
| Element | Limit (%) | Effect on rivet wire |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.2 – 2.8 | Solid-solution strengthening; sets rivet strength |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.15 – 0.35 | Controls grain size and improves corrosion resistance |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.25 max | Impurity |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.40 max | Impurity; high iron reduces heading ductility |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.10 max | Kept low for corrosion resistance |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.10 max | Impurity in this alloy |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.10 max | Impurity |
| Others, each / total | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | About 96 – 97.5 % |
Mechanical and physical properties
For rivet wire the key property is a maximum tensile strength: wire that is too hard will crack during heading. Rod and wire standards for 5052-O cap tensile strength at roughly 220 MPa (32 ksi). Typical values for the alloy are shown below for comparison.
| Condition | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Elongation | Shear strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5052-O wire, specified | ≤ 220 MPa (max) | — | — | — |
| 5052-O, typical | 195 MPa | 90 MPa | 25 – 30 % | 125 MPa |
| 5052-H32, typical | 230 MPa | 195 MPa | 12 – 18 % | 140 MPa |
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.68 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- 70 GPa
- Melting range
- 607 – 649 °C
- Thermal conductivity
- 138 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity
- 35 % IACS
- Coefficient of expansion
- 23.8 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
Sizes, tolerances and surface quality
Supply range
- Diameter
- 1.6 – 10.0 mm; imperial sizes such as 1/16 in to 3/8 in on request
- Temper
- O (annealed) as standard; H32 or other tempers on request
- Form
- Level-wound coils, pail packs or straight cut lengths
- Surface
- Bright, clean and free of cracks, laps, seams, scratches, oil spots and corrosion
Headers set their dies to a narrow diameter band, so rivet wire is usually ordered to one of several tolerance classes. The table shows a commonly used class system for drawn rivet wire (GB/T 3195); ASTM B316 and EN 1301-3 have their own tables. State the class or the tolerance you need on the order.
| Diameter (mm) | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| > 1.6 – 4.0 | +0 / −0.025 | +0.025 / −0.015 | ±0.025 | +0 / −0.05 |
| > 4.0 – 6.0 | +0 / −0.030 | +0.025 / −0.025 | ±0.040 | +0 / −0.08 |
| > 6.0 – 10.0 | +0 / −0.040 | +0.050 / −0.025 | ±0.060 | +0 / −0.12 |
Cold heading and rivet performance
Work hardening
5052 hardens faster than 1100 or 3003, so heavy multi-stage heading may need intermediate annealing. For simple rivets the extra hardening is useful: it raises the strength of the finished head.
Corrosion
A 5052 rivet in 5052, 5083 or 5754 sheet behaves almost like the parent metal, which is why it is a common choice for boats, tanks and coastal structures.
Galvanic care
Avoid 5052 rivets in copper-bearing 2xxx structures in wet service, and isolate them from steel or carbon-fibre parts with sealant or washers.
Temperature
Unlike the 5% Mg alloys, 5052 is not prone to sensitisation, so rivets can work at moderately elevated temperatures without risk of intergranular attack.
Finishing
Rivets can be anodised or chemically coated after heading. 5052 anodises with a clear, slightly warm tone.
Where 5052 rivets are used
- Marine: riveted fittings, hatches, trim and interior structures on small craft and workboats
- Transport: truck bodies, trailer panels, rail interiors and bus body cladding
- Building: cladding, gutters, roofing accessories and ventilation ducting
- Blind rivet bodies: 5052 is one of the standard body alloys for blind (pop) rivets, often paired with steel or aluminium mandrels
- Electrical and HVAC: enclosures, cable trays and duct assemblies
- General engineering: pins, small shafts and cold-headed parts where corrosion matters more than maximum strength
Where a joint needs more shear strength, 5056 rivets are the next step up within the same family; for aircraft structures, 2117-T4 rivets remain the standard.
5052 compared with other rivet wire alloys
| Alloy | Strength of rivet | Corrosion resistance | Heat treatment | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 / 1050 | Low | Excellent | None | Light-duty, decorative |
| 3003 | Low–medium | Very good | None | General sheet-metal work |
| 5052 | Medium | Excellent | None | Marine, transport, blind rivets |
| 5056 | Medium–high | Very good | None | Magnesium structures, zip fasteners |
| 2117 | High | Fair | T4, driven as received | Aircraft structures |
| 2017 / 2024 | Very high | Fair | Solution treat, drive quickly | Aerospace, high-load joints |
What to check when buying rivet wire
- SpecificationAlloy and temper (5052-O), diameter, tolerance class and the governing standard, for example ASTM B316 or GB/T 3195.
- Mechanical limitsAsk for maximum tensile strength on the certificate, and a heading or upsetting test where your process is sensitive.
- SurfaceSpecify freedom from seams, scratches and oxide; surface defects are the main cause of split heads.
- PackingCoil inner and outer diameter, coil weight and moisture-proof wrapping to suit your pay-off equipment.
- DocumentsAn EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate with chemistry and tensile results for each lot.
Store coils indoors in dry conditions and avoid temperature swings that cause condensation, which leaves stains that can mark the rivet heads.
References and standards
- ASTM B316/B316M – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rivet and Cold-Heading Wire and Rods
- ASTM B211 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rolled or Cold Finished Bar, Rod and Wire
- EN 1301-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: drawn wire, tolerances on dimensions
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 – Properties of Wrought Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys
5052 rivet wire: frequently asked questions
Why is 5052 rivet wire supplied in O temper?
Annealed wire has the lowest hardness and highest ductility, so it can be upset into a head without cracking. The heading operation then work-hardens the rivet, raising its strength above that of the wire.
Does 5052 rivet wire need heat treatment?
No. 5052 is non-heat-treatable and does not age, so it can be stored indefinitely and headed as received. That is a key difference from 2017 or 2024 rivet wire.
Is 5052 the same as 5056 for rivets?
No. 5056 contains about 5 % magnesium against 2.5 % in 5052, so 5056 rivets are stronger, but 5052 is easier to head and is not susceptible to sensitisation at elevated temperature.
Which diameters can I order?
Metline supplies 5052 rivet wire from about 1.6 to 10 mm, with imperial sizes on request, in coils or straight lengths and to the tolerance class you specify.
Can 5052 aluminum rivets be used in seawater?
Yes. 5052 has excellent resistance to seawater and marine air and is widely used for riveting 5xxx sheet on boats and coastal structures. Isolate the rivets from steel, copper and carbon-fibre parts.
What certificate comes with the wire?
Each lot ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate showing chemical composition and tensile results; heading tests and third-party inspection can be arranged.
Need 5052 rivet wire?
Tell us the diameter, tolerance class, coil size and quantity. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
