5052-O
Fully annealed. Lowest strength and highest ductility; chosen when the bar will be upset, bent, spun or cold headed into a fitting.
Aerospace · Al-Mg bar and rod
5052 Aerospace Aluminium Bar & Rod
5052 bar is a non-heat-treatable aluminium-magnesium alloy chosen for aircraft and ground-equipment parts that need good corrosion resistance, weldability and moderate strength rather than the high strength of 2024 or 7075. Metline supplies 5052 round, square, hex and flat bar in O, H111, H112, H32 and F tempers, certified to AMS 4114, ASTM B211 or ASTM B221, to buyers worldwide.
- Alloy
- 5052 (Al-2.5Mg-0.25Cr)
- Tempers
- O, H111, H112, H32, F
- Diameter
- About 3 – 300 mm
- Standards
- AMS 4114 · ASTM B211 / B221
Where 5052 bar fits in aerospace work
5052 is the strongest of the commonly stocked alloys that cannot be heat treated. About 2.5 % magnesium in solid solution gives it roughly twice the strength of 3003, while 0.25 % chromium keeps the grain fine and protects against stress-corrosion cracking.
Aircraft designers rarely use 5052 bar for primary load paths; those go to 2024, 7075 and 7050. Its place is in the many parts where corrosion resistance and weldability matter more than peak strength: fittings and bosses welded into 5052 fuel and oil tanks, brackets and spacers for fluid lines, machined connectors for ducting, bushings in marine-exposed areas, and fixtures and ground support equipment that stand outdoors on flight lines and carrier decks.
Because 5052 gains strength only from cold work, bar is normally supplied in the as-extruded or annealed condition (H112, F or O) or with a light cold-finishing pass (H32). The alloy keeps those properties after welding much better than heat-treatable grades, which is the main reason it is chosen for welded tank and duct assemblies.
5052 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits are the registered Aluminum Association values, followed by ASTM B211, B221, AMS 4114 and EN 573-3 (EN AW-5052, AlMg2.5). The certificate supplied with each lot reports the actual analysis.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role in the alloy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.25 | Impurity; kept low for ductility |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.40 | Impurity; affects grain size and finish |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 | Kept low to protect corrosion resistance |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.10 | Residual only |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.2 | 2.8 | Main strengthening element (solid solution) |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.15 | 0.35 | Grain control; improves stress-corrosion resistance |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.10 | Impurity |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | About 96.1 – 97.7 % |
5052 has no registered nickel or titanium limit beyond "others"; values sometimes shown for these elements are not part of the standard composition.
Mechanical properties of 5052 bar by temper
The first table gives specified minimums for extruded bar to ASTM B221 and EN 755-2, which is what you design to. The second gives typical values that describe what well-made material usually achieves, useful for comparing tempers.
| Temper (extruded bar) | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Elongation (min) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O / H111 | 170 – 240 MPa (25 – 35 ksi) | ≥ 70 MPa (10 ksi) | About 14 – 17 % |
| H112 | ≥ 170 MPa (25 ksi) | ≥ 70 MPa (10 ksi) | About 12 – 15 % |
| F (as fabricated) | No limits | No limits | No limits |
| Temper | Typical tensile | Typical yield | Typical elongation | Brinell hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | 193 MPa / 28 ksi | 90 MPa / 13 ksi | 25 – 30 % | 47 HB |
| H32 | 228 MPa / 33 ksi | 193 MPa / 28 ksi | 12 – 18 % | 60 HB |
| H34 | 262 MPa / 38 ksi | 214 MPa / 31 ksi | 10 – 14 % | 68 HB |
| H38 | 290 MPa / 42 ksi | 255 MPa / 37 ksi | 7 – 8 % | 77 HB |
Cold-finished bar to ASTM B211 is also produced in H32 to H38; minimums rise with each step of strain hardening. Confirm the exact values for your size band on the mill certificate.
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³)
- Modulus of elasticity
- 70.3 GPa (10,200 ksi)
- Thermal conductivity
- 138 W/m·K (H32, 25 °C)
- Electrical conductivity
- About 35 % IACS
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- 23.8 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Melting range
- 607 – 650 °C
Choosing a 5052 bar temper
5052-H111
Annealed and then lightly strain-hardened by straightening. Properties are close to O, with slightly better straightness for machining.
5052-H112
As extruded with controlled properties. The most common condition for larger extruded rounds, squares and flats that will be machined.
5052-H32
Strain-hardened and stabilised to quarter-hard. Better strength and machined finish than O, with good residual ductility.
5052-F
As fabricated, with no guaranteed mechanical properties. AMS 4114 covers rolled or cold-finished 5052 bar and rod in this condition.
Note on heat treatment
5052 cannot be hardened by solution treatment and ageing. Stabilising (H3x) only prevents age-softening; strength comes from cold work.
5052 bar standards and international designations
Most aerospace orders for 5052 bar are written to AMS 4114 or to ASTM B211 / B221 with aerospace inspection added. Legacy drawings may still call QQ-A-225/7, which has been superseded by ASTM B211 and AMS 4114 for new work. Tell us which document and revision is on your drawing.
| System | Designation / standard | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| SAE AMS | AMS 4114 | 5052-F bars and rods, rolled or cold-finished |
| ASTM | ASTM B211 | Cold-finished bar, rod and wire |
| ASTM / ASME | ASTM B221 (ASME SB-221) | Extruded bar, rod, wire, profiles and tube |
| US Federal (legacy) | QQ-A-225/7 | 5052 bar, rod and wire; cancelled for new design |
| UNS | A95052 | — |
| European | EN AW-5052 (AlMg2.5), EN 754 / EN 755 | Drawn and extruded bar |
| German Werkstoff | 3.3523 | — |
| ISO | AlMg2.5 | ISO 6362 (extruded products) |
| Japan | A5052BD / A5052BE | JIS H4040 (drawn / extruded bar) |
5052 bar sizes and weights
Supply range
- Round bar
- About 3 mm to 300 mm diameter; larger by enquiry
- Square and hex
- Common squares 6.35 – 150 mm; hex across flats 6 – 100 mm
- Flat bar
- Thickness 3 – 50 mm, widths to about 300 mm
- Length
- Standard 3000 mm or 6000 mm, random lengths, or cut to size
- Condition
- Extruded (H112, F, O) or cold-finished (H32, O) for closer tolerance
- Finish
- Mill finish; cut ends deburred; turned or peeled bar on request
Cold-finished bar holds tighter diameter tolerances than extruded bar; specify which you need when the bar will be fed through a bar feeder.
Round bar weight per metre is π/4 × d² × 2.68 ÷ 1000 kg, with d in millimetres. The table gives quick values; the bar weight calculator handles other shapes.
| Diameter (mm) | kg per metre | kg per 3 m bar | Diameter (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0.076 | 0.23 | 0.24 |
| 10 | 0.210 | 0.63 | 0.39 |
| 12 | 0.303 | 0.91 | 0.47 |
| 16 | 0.539 | 1.62 | 0.63 |
| 20 | 0.842 | 2.53 | 0.79 |
| 25 | 1.316 | 3.95 | 0.98 |
| 30 | 1.894 | 5.68 | 1.18 |
| 40 | 3.368 | 10.10 | 1.57 |
| 50 | 5.262 | 15.79 | 1.97 |
| 60 | 7.578 | 22.73 | 2.36 |
| 80 | 13.471 | 40.41 | 3.15 |
| 100 | 21.049 | 63.15 | 3.94 |
| 120 | 30.310 | 90.93 | 4.72 |
| 150 | 47.360 | 142.08 | 5.91 |
| 200 | 84.195 | 252.58 | 7.87 |
Machining, welding and finishing 5052 bar
Machining
Softer tempers are gummy and can form built-up edge. Use sharp, polished carbide or HSS tools with high positive rake, generous chip room and plenty of coolant. H32 and harder tempers give a cleaner finish than O.
Welding
Excellent with TIG or MIG. ER5356 filler is the usual choice for strength and colour match; ER5554 or ER5654 suit some service conditions. In O and H112 the weld zone keeps almost the base strength; in H32 the heat-affected zone softens to near O values.
Forming
O and H111 bar can be bent, upset and cold headed. Allow larger radii for H32 and above, and anneal between heavy forming operations.
Anodising
Takes clear and coloured sulphuric anodising well; chromic and boric-sulphuric processes are used where aerospace specifications require them.
Corrosion
Resists seawater spray and industrial atmospheres. Isolate from carbon fibre and stainless fasteners with sealant or primer to avoid galvanic attack.
Temperature
Unlike 5083, 5052 has too little magnesium to suffer sensitisation in normal service, so it is acceptable for warm locations near engines and heat exchangers below about 150 °C.
Typical aerospace uses of 5052 bar
- Fuel and oil systems: bosses, ports, flanges and fittings machined from bar and welded into 5052 tanks and lines
- Fluid-line hardware: spacers, clamps, blocks and connectors for low-pressure fuel, vent and drain lines
- Ducting: flanges and couplings for environmental-control and cooling ducts
- Cabin and interior: trim fittings, seat-track accessories and galley hardware where corrosion resistance matters
- Ground support equipment: machined parts for towbars, stands, platforms and refuelling equipment exposed to weather
- Rivets and pins: 5052 rod and wire for rivets in non-structural joints
A typical example is a welded auxiliary fuel tank: the shell is 5052-H32 sheet, the filler and drain bosses are machined from 5052-H112 round bar, and everything is joined with ER5356 so the whole assembly has uniform corrosion behaviour.
5052 bar compared with 6061, 5083 and 2024
| Property | 5052-H112 | 6061-T6 | 5083-H112 | 2024-T351 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical tensile strength | 195 – 230 MPa | 310 MPa | 300 MPa | 470 MPa |
| Heat treatable | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Weldability | Excellent | Good (HAZ loss) | Excellent | Poor |
| Seawater corrosion | Very good | Good | Excellent | Poor (needs cladding or coating) |
| Machinability | Fair | Very good | Fair | Very good |
| Service above 65 °C | Acceptable | Acceptable | Avoid (sensitisation) | Acceptable |
Choose 6061 when you need more strength and easy machining with acceptable weldability. Move to 5083 when the part must be stronger yet stay non-heat-treatable, provided it runs cool. Use 2024 or 7075 only when strength dominates and the part will not be welded.
How to order 5052 aerospace bar
- SpecifyAlloy and temper, shape and size, length or cut pieces, quantity and the governing specification with its revision (AMS 4114, ASTM B211 or ASTM B221).
- ConfirmWe confirm the specification can be met, the tolerance class, any extra tests and the delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- InspectMaterial is checked for dimensions, straightness and surface condition; tests named on the order are carried out or arranged with a third party.
- DocumentEach lot ships with a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 showing chemistry and mechanical results, traceable to the cast or lot number.
- Pack and shipExport packing in sealed, moisture-protected wooden cases or on pallets, shipped by sea or air to your port or door.
References and standards
- SAE AMS 4114 – Aluminum Alloy Bars and Rods, Rolled or Cold-Finished, 5052-F
- ASTM B211 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rolled or Cold-Finished Bar, Rod and Wire
- ASTM B221 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles and Tubes
- EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials
5052 aerospace aluminium (aluminum) bar: FAQs
Is 5052 bar used for primary aircraft structure?
Generally not. Primary structure uses heat-treatable 2xxx and 7xxx alloys. 5052 bar is used for welded tank fittings, fluid-line hardware, ducting parts, interior hardware and ground equipment where corrosion resistance and weldability matter more than strength.
Which specification covers 5052 bar for aerospace?
AMS 4114 covers rolled or cold-finished 5052 bar and rod in the F condition. ASTM B211 (cold-finished) and ASTM B221 (extruded) are also widely used, often with added aerospace inspection requirements.
Can 5052 bar be heat treated to increase strength?
No. 5052 is strengthened only by cold work. Heating can anneal it to the soft O temper or stabilise a strain-hardened temper, but it cannot be solution treated and aged like 6061 or 2024.
What filler wire should be used to weld 5052 bar?
ER5356 is the most common choice and gives good strength and anodised colour match. ER5554 is used where the joint runs warm, and ER4043 is generally avoided on 5052 because of poor ductility in the weld.
What is the difference between H112 and O bar?
O is fully annealed, with the lowest strength and best formability. H112 is the as-extruded condition with minimum tensile and yield values guaranteed; it is the usual choice for bar that will be machined.
Do you supply 5052 bar cut to length with certificates?
Yes. Metline supplies 5052 bar cut to length or as full bars, with an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate, to customers worldwide.
Need 5052 bar for an aerospace or GSE part?
Send the shape, size, temper, specification and quantity. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
