Selection summary
Overview
5052 is an aluminum-magnesium wrought alloy widely supplied as sheet, plate, and coil. Strength comes mainly from strain hardening, so H32, H34, annealed, and other tempers must not be treated as the same material condition.
This page separates standard-oriented limits from typical reference data. Purchase acceptance comes from the ordered specification and certified material test report.
Names and systems
Identity & standards
Similar designations across ASTM, EN, JIS, and other systems are not automatically interchangeable. Product form and ordered standard control chemistry, properties, dimensions, condition, and testing.
Reference chemistry
Composition
| Element | Reference range | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesium | 2.2–2.8% | Strength and corrosion resistance |
| Chromium | 0.15–0.35% | Structure and corrosion behavior |
| Aluminum | Remainder | Base metal |
Concise grade-family reference only. Confirm every element limit against the current standard for the exact product ordered.
Condition matters
Reference properties
Typical 5052-H32 sheet reference; thickness and standard govern acceptance
Typical 5052-H32 sheet reference; temper and thickness dependent
Typical room-temperature reference value
Environment first
Corrosion behavior
Good atmospheric and general marine-environment resistance for many sheet applications.
Galvanic contact, crevices, trapped electrolyte, and incompatible cleaners still require design control.
Temperature, concentration, deposits, crevices, stress, surface finish, cleaning, and fabrication quality can change service performance.
Service limits
Temperature & service
Cold-worked strength can decrease with sustained elevated-temperature exposure.
Delivery condition
Heat treatment & condition
5052 is non-heat-treatable: strength is developed by strain hardening and partial annealing into a stated H temper rather than by solution treatment and artificial aging.
Annealing or sustained thermal exposure can reduce cold-worked strength, so forming and welding plans must use the delivered temper and final service temperature.
Process route
Fabrication
Good formability, particularly in softer tempers.
Generally weldable, but weld-zone strength and final finish must be included in design.
Magnetic response: Non-ferromagnetic.
Decision boundaries
Comparisons & substitution
5052 usually offers better sheet formability than 6061-T6 and useful general corrosion resistance, but lower heat-treated structural strength.
5083/5086 marine plate can provide higher non-heat-treatable strength and marine controls; 5052 must not be upgraded to a marine-certified temper by name alone.
Where it is used
Applications
Ordering scope
Product forms & standards
Sheet, coiled sheet, and plate in explicitly ordered tempers under ASTM B209/B209M or another applicable product standard.
Coil, tread, tube, wire, and formed products require product-specific tolerances, temper, surface, and testing requirements.
State O, H32, H34, or another registered temper; alloy number without temper is incomplete for strength and forming decisions.
Decision support
Selection guidance
Choose this grade when
- Formability and corrosion resistance matter more than heat-treatable strength.
- Sheet or coil is available in a clearly stated H temper.
Review another grade when
- Higher structural strength or extrusion geometry points to 6061/6063.
- Marine plate certification and higher magnesium content point to 5083/5086.
Before ordering
Procurement checklist
State alloy, temper, product specification, dimensions, tolerances, surface finish, edge, and quantity.
Require heat or lot traceability and a certificate showing chemistry, temper, mechanical tests, and ordered inspection.
Confirm fabrication, welding, anodizing or coating, flatness, residual-stress condition, packaging, destination, and delivery target.
Traceable evidence