Aluminum 5052

Aging Procedure

Not applicable to this alloy.

Annealing Procedure

Anneal at 650 F and air cool.

Applications

Commonly used in the manufacture of hydraulic tubes, kitchen cabinets, small boats, home freezers, milk crates, aircraft tube, fencing, and appliances. Commonly used in sheet metal work and in sheet metal parts.

Cold Workability

The alloy cold works readily and may be formed by drawing or spinning. However the amount of cold work imparted by spinning makes intermediate annealing necessary.

Forgeability

The alloy may be forged in the temperature range of 950 F down to 500 F.

Formability

AL 5052 is readily formed at room temperature. Successive cold working decreases the formability.

Hardening Procedure

Hardens only from cold working.

Heat Treatability

AL 5052 cannot be hardened by means of heat treatment. It does harden due to cold working.

Hot Workability

Hot working, as with forging, may be done in the range of 950 F to 500 F.

Machinability

This alloy has relatively fair machinability. It is easier to machine in the hard temper than as annealed and the quality of finish is better if machined in the hard condition. Oil lubricants should be used for machining, except that very light cuts may be done dry.

Other Mechanical Properties

Shear strength for O temper is 18 ksi. For cold worked temper H 34 it is 21 ksi.

Other Physical Properties

Electrical conductivity 33% of copper.

Principle Design Features

This is a non-heat treatable alloy that is weldable. It is hardened by cold work. It has good forming characteristics and good corrosion resistance, including resistance to salt water.

Tempering Procedure

Not applicable.

Weldability

This alloy is readily welded by conventional methods. When filler rod is required it should be aluminum alloy 5356 as filler. Either tungsten or consumable electrode inert gas shielded arc welding is preferred method.