Mar12Comments Off on 5052 H32 Aluminum: Everything You Need to Know
Posted by Ben Kammer in Articles
Looking for a strong, lightweight metal that can stand up to harsh conditions? 5052 H32 aluminum may be just what you’re looking for. Not only does it perform well in marine, industrial, and other corrosive environments, but its excellent formability also makes it an ideal candidate for making road signs, fuel tanks, boat hulls, and other durable products.
But what is 5052 H32 aluminum? What makes it so strong? And why is it more formable and corrosion-resistant than many other aluminum alloys?
To find out, we’ll need to start at the beginning and take a closer look at 5052 H32 aluminum.
Aluminum grades
It’s easy to see why aluminum is the metal of choice for a wide range of applications. All aluminum grades tend to be comparatively lightweight, relatively strong, and corrosion resistant. But their specific properties can vary significantly depending on the alloying elements used, their proportions, and what type of tempering was done to them.
The term “grades” refers to the primary alloying elements and the properties of the resulting aluminum. For instance, some grades, such as those alloyed with zinc, tend to have high strength and good machinability, while grades that are primarily alloyed with manganese generally demonstrate better corrosion resistance and workability.
You can tell what the main element(s) are by looking at the first number in its series designation. That also gives you a general idea of its primary characteristics.
Aluminum Alloys By Series
| Series | Primary Alloying Element(s) | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | Pure Aluminum (99%+) | Low strength, high corrosion resistance, highly ductile |
| 2000 | Copper | High strength, good machinability, lower corrosion resistance |
| 3000 | Manganese | Good corrosion resistance, formability, moderate strength |
| 4000 | Silicon | Low melting point, good fluidity, reduced shrinkage |
| 5000 | Magnesium | Good strength, excellent corrosion resistance, weldability, and formability |
| 6000 | Magnesium and Silicon | Good strength and corrosion resistance, excellent formability and weldability |
| 7000 | Zinc | Very high strength, good machinability, and toughness, lower corrosion resistance |
| 8000 | Other Alloying Elements | Varies, depending on alloy |
5052 aluminum general properties
As you can tell from its numerical grade, 5052 aluminum’s primary alloying element is magnesium. It’s one of the more commonly used aluminum alloys due to its good balance of strength, workability, and corrosion resistance. 5052 aluminum is non-metallic and perfect for high-demand applications in harsh conditions, including saltwater, rock salt, or chemical exposure. Its non-toxic nature also makes it a safe choice for applications requiring exposure to food. This aluminum is also well-suited to welding with relatively high thermal conductivity and good formability.
Aluminum tempers
But the composition of the aluminum isn’t the only factor that affects its properties. Because aluminum has an inherently ductile crystal structure, manufacturers can also enhance its properties through tempering, specifically heat treatment or work hardening.
You can find an aluminum’s temper designation just behind its four-digit grade. The letter shows the type of heat treatment or mechanical processes that it has undergone so that purchasers can choose the right material for their specific applications.
General Aluminum Tempers
| Designation | Type of Temper | Result on Alloy |
|---|---|---|
| O | Annealed | Ductile and soft |
| H | Strain hardened | Numbers that follow indicate specific treatments |
| T | Thermally treated | Numbers that follow indicate specific treatments |
H32 temper
In 5052 H32 aluminum, the H indicates that the aluminum has been strain-hardened, the 3 shows that it was stabilized by low-temperature heating after hardening, and the 2 indicates the degree of hardening.
Strain hardening, also known as work hardening, involves physically disforming the metal at room temperature to create dislocations in the crystal structure which make the aluminum harder. The metal then undergoes heat treatment to reduce internal stress, distribute and balance mechanical properties throughout the metal, and improve ductility. The combination of strain hardening and stabilizing creates a specific balance between strength and ductility.
The right combination
Two metals of the same grade that undergo different tempering processes will have somewhat dissimilar properties. Likewise, different grades that undergo the same tempering will react in distinct ways to the tempering process, giving each grade and temper combination unique properties.
For example, 5052 H22 and 5052 H32 aluminum have the same grade but different tempers. 5052 H32 aluminum has been strain-hardened and stabilized, while 5052 H22 aluminum has been strain-hardened but not stabilized. As a result, H32 is somewhat stronger than H22, but H22 is slightly more formable than H32.
Different grades with the same temper will likewise produce distinct characteristics. 1100 H32 and 5052 H32 aluminum have contrasting alloying elements but have undergone the same strain-hardening and stabilization process. Even though they share the same H32 temper, 5052 H32 is significantly stronger than 1100 H32, whereas 1100 H32 has the edge in formability and corrosion resistance.
What makes 5052 H32 aluminum unique
Now that we understand what 5052 aluminum is and what H32 tempering does, let’s see what happens when they both come together.
Specifications
5052 H32 aluminum generally meets ASTM B209 standards, which covers a range of aluminum alloys and is adequate for common applications. Specialized applications may also require AMS 4016 standards. If you are working with a specific application, always check with us to ensure that that the 5052 H32 aluminum you want to purchase meets the criteria for your intended use.
5052 H32 aluminum material properties
5052 H32 aluminum is a popular metal with good reason. Its high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance, and good formability make it a smart choice for a wide variety of applications.
Some of 5052 H32 aluminum’s key material properties are:
· Strength: H32 tempering helps give 5052 H32 aluminum its moderate to high strength.
· Ductility: This alloy and temper can be easily formed without breaking.
· Corrosion Resistance: 5052 H32 aluminum has excellent corrosion resistance.
· Chemical Composition: This aluminum contains 2.2% magnesium as its primary alloying element, which enhances its strength, and 0.25% chromium, which increases its resistance to corrosion. Other elements include iron, silicon, copper, manganese, and zinc.
· Yield Strength: 5052 H32 aluminum typically has a yield strength around 228 MPa (33,000 psi) before the material begins to deform plastically.
· Tensile Strength: The metal can withstand about 276 MPa (40,000 psi) before it breaks or fractures. This is a key factor for applications requiring high strength.
· Bend Radius: 5052 H32 aluminum can be bent in a tight radius without cracking.
· Density and Weight: 5052 H32 aluminum is about one-third the density of steel, or approximately 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³).
Applications
You can find this popular metal in a wide variety of applications where strong, lightweight, metals with excellent corrosion resistance are needed, such as:
· Marine environments
· Transportation
· Pressure vessels
· Automotive
· Window frames
· Roofing
· Aircraft fuel tanks
· Electronic enclosures and housings
· Food processing equipment
· Food storage
Why 5052 H32 aluminum is so popular
With excellent corrosion resistance and a good balance of strength and formability, 5052 H32 aluminum has the characteristics that many industries are looking for. Parts made from this durable alloy can stand up to the harshest of environments, and its light weight improves performance and fuel efficiency when used on vehicles while also making it easy to work with and transport. It’s easy to see why 5052 H32 aluminum is the metal of choice for a wide variety of applications.
Want to learn more or find out what 5052 H32 aluminum Cumberland Diversified Metal has in stock? Reach out to our aluminum specialists today!
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