Aluminum EN AW-5052: Composition, Properties, Temper Guide & Applications

Comprehensive Overview

EN AW-5052 is a member of the 5xxx series aluminum alloys characterized by magnesium as the principal alloying element. This series is non-heat-treatable and receives its principal strengthening through solid-solution alloying with magnesium and by work hardening, not by precipitation heat treatment.

Major alloying species in 5052 include magnesium (around 2.2–2.8%) with chromium as a minor addition (about 0.15–0.35%) to control grain structure and improve corrosion resistance. The alloy offers a balanced property set: medium strength among wrought aluminum alloys, very good corrosion resistance (especially in marine and chloride-containing environments), good weldability by common fusion and resistance methods, and acceptable cold formability depending on temper.

Typical industries using EN AW-5052 include marine and offshore structures, transportation and truck bodies, pressure vessels, fuel tanks, and architectural components where exposure to corrosive atmospheres or salt spray is expected. Engineers choose 5052 where a combination of higher strength than pure aluminum, superior corrosion resistance relative to many other alloys, and good formability/weldability is required at reasonable cost.

Compared with many heat-treatable alloys, 5052 trades peak strength for consistency of corrosion resistance and simpler processing. Its selection is often driven by environmental exposure, weld and forming requirements, and the need to avoid age-hardening cycles that can complicate fabrication or lead to distortion.

Temper Variants

Temper	Strength Level	Elongation	Formability	Weldability	Notes
O	Low	High (12–25%)	Excellent	Excellent	Fully annealed; maximum ductility for severe forming.
H14	Medium	Medium (8–15%)	Good	Excellent	Half-hard cold-worked condition; common for sheet with moderate strength.
H16	Medium-High	Medium (6–12%)	Good	Excellent	Strain-hardened to a higher degree than H14; balance of form and strength.
H18	High	Low (3–8%)	Fair	Excellent	Full-hard cold-worked; highest cold-working strength, reduced ductility.
H32	Medium-High	Low-Med (4–10%)	Good	Excellent	Strain-hardened and stabilized; widely used temper for 5052 sheet and plate.
H34	High	Low (3–8%)	Fair	Excellent	Heavier strain-hardening than H32; used where higher as-rolled strength is required.
H111	Variable	Variable	Variable	Excellent	Thermally unaffected temper with properties dependent on processing history; used for limited forming where consistent strength is needed.

Temper directly controls the trade-off between strength and ductility in EN AW-5052. Annealed O offers maximum formability for deep drawing and complex shaping, while H‑tempers introduce dislocation density to increase yield and tensile strength at the expense of elongation.

Selection of a temper must consider subsequent operations: heavily cold-worked tempers are stronger but more prone to springback and cracking during tight-bend forming, whereas O and light-hardened tempers can be welded and formed with reduced risk of edge cracking.

Chemical Composition

Element	% Range	Notes
Si	≤ 0.25	Impurity from melting; low silicon helps maintain ductility and formability.
Fe	≤ 0.4	Typical impurity; excessive iron forms intermetallics that can reduce toughness and ductility.
Mn	≤ 0.1	Small amounts acceptable; high Mn not characteristic of 5052.
Mg	2.2–2.8	Principal strengthening element; increases strength and improves corrosion resistance in chloride environments.
Cu	≤ 0.1	Kept very low to maintain corrosion resistance; higher Cu would reduce SCC resistance.
Zn	≤ 0.1	Low zinc to avoid compromising corrosion resistance and to maintain weldability.
Cr	0.15–0.35	Grain refiner and corrosion resistance booster; controls recrystallization and maintains strength after forming.
Ti	≤ 0.15	Trace addition sometimes used for grain control, typically low.
Others (each)	≤ 0.05	Trace elements and residuals; Al balance

Magnesium is the defining compositional knob for 5052: it raises room-temperature strength through solid solution and improves pitting resistance in chloride-bearing media. Chromium acts to pin grain boundaries and inhibit recrystallization during annealing and forming, preserving a desirable combination of strength and ductility.

Low levels of copper, zinc and iron are deliberate to avoid impairing general corrosion or galvanic behavior; the aluminum balance ensures good conductivity and low density suitable for weight-sensitive structures.

Mechanical Properties

EN AW-5052 exhibits tensile behavior dominated by solid-solution strengthening and work hardening. In annealed condition the alloy yields and strains uniformly with relatively high elongation, making it suitable for deep drawing and complex shapes. Work hardening increases yield and tensile strength but narrows the uniform and total elongation ranges, increasing springback during forming.

Yield and ultimate tensile strength are thickness- and temper-dependent; thin gauge sheet in H‑tempers shows higher yield compared with thicker plate processed to similar tempers. Hardness scales with cold work and correlates with strength; fatigue performance is generally good for an aluminum alloy in this class but is sensitive to surface finish, residual stresses, and chloride exposure which can accelerate crack initiation.

Fatigue life decreases with increasing mean stress and with tensile residual stresses introduced by forming or welding. Thickness affects mechanical properties through texture and strain distribution from rolling; thinner sections typically achieve higher work-hardening-related strengths for the same nominal temper.

Property	O/Annealed	Key Temper (e.g., H32/H34)	Notes
Tensile Strength	110–155 MPa	200–260 MPa	Values depend on thickness and specific cold work; H‑tempers are substantially stronger.
Yield Strength	35–85 MPa	120–210 MPa	Yield increases markedly with strain-hardening; yield definition depends on chosen offset.
Elongation	12–25%	3–12%	Ductility falls as temper hardens; annealed material best for deep drawing.
Hardness	~25–50 HB	~60–95 HB	Brinell hardness rises with work hardening and correlates with tensile strength increases.

Physical Properties

Property	Value	Notes
Density	2.68 g/cm³	Typical for wrought aluminum alloys; provides high specific strength relative to steel.
Melting Range	~605–645 °C	Solidus/liquidus range varies slightly with alloying; care required in fusion welding and brazing.
Thermal Conductivity	~120–135 W/m·K	Lower than pure Al but still good for heat dissipation; useful in thermal management components.
Electrical Conductivity	~34–38 % IACS	Reduced from pure Al due to Mg; acceptable for bus bars and bonding where high conductivity is not critical.
Specific Heat	~880–900 J/kg·K	Comparable to other Al alloys; useful for thermal mass calculations.
Thermal Expansion	~23–24 ×10⁻⁶ /°C	High coefficient relative to steels; differential expansion must be considered in joints with dissimilar metals.

The combination of low density and moderate thermal conductivity makes 5052 attractive for lightweight structures that also require heat dissipation. Thermal expansion and conductivity should be part of joint design when mating with materials having significantly different thermal properties.

Electrical conductivity is adequate for many chassis or earthing applications but inferior to purer alloys used specifically for conductors; designers must consider both mechanical and electrical requirements when selecting 5052 for electronic enclosures.

Product Forms

Form	Typical Thickness/Size	Strength Behavior	Common Tempers	Notes
Sheet	0.2–6.0 mm	Good strength-to-thickness; responds well to cold work	O, H14, H16, H32	Widely used for panels and formed parts; available in coils and cut sizes.
Plate	6–200 mm	Lower strain-hardening rate in thick gauges; produced with controlled rolling	O, H111, H32	Used where through-thickness properties and bending stiffness are needed.
Extrusion	Profiles up to large sections	Strength depends on post-extrusion temper and cold work	O, H32	Extruded shapes for structural framing and chassis.
Tube	OD and wall dependent	Similar behavior to sheet/plate depending on fabrication	O, H32	Seamless and welded tubes used in fuel lines and frames.
Bar/Rod	3–200 mm	Bulk mechanical properties influenced by prior processing	O, H111	Used for machined parts and structural components.

Processing routes influence final performance: sheet and plate manufacture produce rolling textures that affect formability and directional properties, while extrusions can be designed to optimize cross-section strength. Heat inputs during welding and subsequent cold work for bending or flanging may necessitate selection of specific tempers to avoid property degradation.

Supply chain availability often favors sheet and coil for 5052 in many markets, and custom alloy processing (e.g., anodizing, pulsed-current welding) is commonly available for marine and architectural customers.

Equivalent Grades

Standard	Grade	Region	Notes
AA	5052	USA	Common aluminium association designation for wrought alloy.
EN AW	5052	Europe	EN AW-5052 is the European designation aligning with AA5052 composition.
JIS	A5052	Japan	Generally equivalent with similar composition limits and accepted tempers.
GB/T	5182-5052	China	GB/T specification for similar magnesium-bearing alloy; slight process or tolerance differences may exist.

Equivalent standards are typically interchangeable for general engineering purposes, but mill tolerances, surface condition, and permitted impurity levels can differ. Buyers should verify specific standard numbers and temper codes when procuring material for critical applications or when traceability to a particular specification is required.

Regional standards may specify different product forms, testing requirements, or permitted ranges for minor elements which can influence corrosion or forming behavior; always confirm certification for acceptance testing.

Corrosion Resistance

EN AW-5052 exhibits excellent resistance to general corrosion in atmospheric and many marine environments. Magnesium increases pitting resistance in chloride-bearing medias, and the presence of chromium helps stabilize the protective oxide film, making 5052 a preferred choice for hulls, decks, and external architectural elements exposed to salt spray.

In long-term seawater immersion and splash zones, 5052 performs substantially better than 2xxx and 7xxx series alloys which are prone to pitting and stress corrosion cracking. However, in highly acidic or alkaline environments localized attack may still occur, so environment-specific testing is recommended for critical components.

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility for 5052 is low compared with higher-strength, heat-treatable alloys; nonetheless, high tensile residual stresses combined with corrosive species can result in SCC in any alloy class. Galvanic interaction with more noble materials such as copper and some stainless steels can accelerate corrosion of 5052, therefore insulating materials or proper design of wet/dry interfaces is necessary.

Compared with 3003 and 1100 series alloys, 5052 offers higher strength with significantly improved pitting resistance due to Mg content; compared with 6xxx or 7xxx series, 5052 sacrifices peak mechanical strength but gains superior marine corrosion performance and weldability.

Fabrication Properties

Weldability

EN AW-5052 welds readily by TIG, MIG/GMAW, and resistance welding with low propensity for hot cracking. Recommended filler materials include 5183 and 5556 series for welds requiring matched corrosion performance and strength; 5356 fillers are often used for general-purpose joints. Heat-affected zones will experience localized softening if the parent metal is in a strain-hardened temper, so post-weld strain relief or reworking may be required for critical dimensional tolerances.

Machinability

Machinability of 5052 is rated moderate to fair and is lower than free-machining aluminum alloys; cutters should use carbide or coated high-speed steel tools with positive rake angles. Cutting speeds are moderate and chip control can be managed with proper feeds and tooling geometry; built-up edge can occur if speeds are too low or lubrication is inadequate. For precision parts, consider pre-hardening or specifying tempers that minimize deformation during machining.

Formability

Forming performance is excellent in annealed O temper and good in light-hardened tempers such as H14 and H32; the alloy supports deep drawing, bending, stretch forming, and roll forming. Minimum bend radii depend on temper and thickness but annealed sheet will accept relatively tight bends (approx. 0.5–1.0× thickness for many operations), whereas full-hard tempers may require larger radii and intermediate anneals to avoid edge cracking. Work-hardening during successive forming operations must be monitored to prevent brittle failure in complex forming sequences.

Heat Treatment Behavior

EN AW-5052 is a non-heat-treatable alloy; thermal cycles do not produce strengthening precipitates as in 6xxx or 7xxx series. Strength increases are achieved predominantly through cold working (strain hardening) and by controlling recrystallization through minor chromium additions.

Annealing (O temper) is accomplished with elevated temperature soak (commonly around 345–415 °C depending on product form and thickness) followed by controlled cooling to restore ductility and reduce residual stresses. Stabilized tempers such as H32 are produced by strain hardening followed by a light thermal stabilization to limit subsequent softening during moderate service temperatures.

Because precipitation hardening is not feasible, designers must use mechanical processing routes (cold work, controlled rolling, and alloy tempering) to meet strength and ductility requirements rather than solution and aging cycles.

High-Temperature Performance

At elevated temperatures, EN AW-5052 experiences progressive loss of yield and tensile strength as solid-solution strengthening effectiveness decreases and thermally activated recovery processes occur. Continuous service temperatures up to approximately 100–125 °C are common without severe degradation, but prolonged exposure above 150 °C will significantly reduce strength and dimensional stability.

Oxidation resistance is good, with the naturally forming Al2O3 layer providing surface protection, but high-temperature scaling is not a primary design benefit for this alloy. Welding zones and HAZs are particularly susceptible to strength reduction when exposed to thermal cycles, and caution is required when parts will see cyclic high temperatures or thermal gradients.

Creep resistance is limited compared with high-temperature aluminum alloys and steels; designers should avoid relying on 5052 for load-bearing components at elevated temperature without specific high-temperature testing.

Applications

Industry	Example Component	Why EN AW-5052 Is Used
Automotive	Fuel tanks, truck bodies, panels	Good corrosion resistance, formability, and weldability at moderate strength.
Marine	Hulls, boat tops, bulkheads	Pitting resistance in saltwater and good strength-to-weight ratio.
Aerospace	Interior fittings, fairings	Corrosion resistance, manufacturability, and acceptable strength for secondary structures.
Electronics	Enclosures, heat sinks	Thermal conductivity combined with corrosion resistance and formability.
Architecture	Roofing, cladding, gutters	Weathering resistance, aesthetic finishes, and ease of fabrication.

EN AW-5052 is often selected for components that combine exposure to corrosive environments with the need for forming and welding, such as marine deck fittings and transport fuel systems. The alloy’s balanced set of properties makes it a versatile choice across multiple industries where catastrophic failure modes are unlikely and corrosion performance is prioritized.

Selection Insights

When choosing EN AW-5052, prioritize corrosion resistance in chloride-bearing atmospheres, good weldability, and moderate structural strength while keeping weight low. If maximum electrical conductivity or the highest possible ductility is required, pure aluminum (1100) or specially processed alloys may be preferable, but those will have significantly lower strength than 5052.

Compared with 3003, 5052 offers higher strength and markedly better chloride pitting resistance due to its elevated magnesium content; choose 5052 when additional strength and marine corrosion resistance outweigh a small penalty in formability. Against heat-treatable alloys like 6061, 5052 trades lower peak strength for superior corrosion performance and simpler fabrication (no solution/aging required), making it preferable for welded marine or architectural applications.

For buyers, balance cost and availability with required service environment: 5052 is widely available in sheet, plate, and tube and often offers the best practical combination of properties for marine, transport, and architectural use where corrosion and weldability are design drivers.

Closing Summary

EN AW-5052 remains a highly relevant engineering alloy because it uniquely combines magnesium-driven strength, excellent corrosion resistance in chloride-bearing environments, and broad manufacturability through forming and welding. Its non-heat-treatable nature simplifies fabrication while providing durable service in marine, transportation, and architectural applications where a reliable balance of properties is essential.