Alloys / 5052-H32
5052-H32 Aluminum
A formed-sheet alloy that also gets machined for enclosures and brackets. Excellent corrosion resistance, gummy to mill.
What it is
5000 series, aluminum-magnesium, not heat treatable. H32: strain hardened then partially annealed to a controlled quarter-hard temper. Strength comes from cold work, not from a heat treat cycle.
Machining
The gummiest common alloy on this list. It smears rather than shears, so expect a slower finish pass, sharp tooling and more built-up edge than on the 6000 series, especially in pockets and on small drills.
Finishing and joining
Welds without issue and shrugs off corrosion, including mild chemical exposure, better than most heat-treatable alloys. Anodizes to a usable but slightly hazier finish than 6061.
Where it turns up
- Formed and folded sheet enclosures
- Outdoor brackets and covers
- Parts exposed to mild chemicals or washdown
Read further
- Why the 5000 series survives marine serviceRead the guide
At a glance
| Yield strength | 193 MPa |
| Density | 2.68 g/cm³ |
| Weldability | 5 / 5 |
| Anodizing | 3 / 5 |
| Corrosion resistance | 5 / 5 |
| Strength for weight | 2 / 5 |
| Stays flat | 3 / 5 |
| Machinability | 2 / 5 |
Scores run 1 to 5, editorial judgements for comparison, not measured values. Yield is a typical published figure for this temper, not a guarantee for your lot.
Full property table for all alloys: alloy selector.
Questions
Is 5052-H32 weldable?
Yes, 5052-H32 welds without special difficulty. It is one of the more forgiving alloys on this list to join.
Does 5052-H32 anodize evenly?
Not reliably. Expect a less even, sometimes darker or patchier result than 6061 in the same anodizing tank, so treat any anodized finish on this alloy as functional rather than cosmetic.