5052 h32 aluminum coil
12/17 2025
5052 H32 aluminum coil is one of the most widely used non-heat-treatable aluminum alloys, valued for its excellent corrosion resistance, moderate-to-high strength, and outstanding formability. In the H32 temper, it is strain-hardened and partially annealed, giving a balanced combination of strength and workability that suits a wide range of industrial and consumer applications.
Features of 5052 H32 Aluminum Coil
5052 H32 is part of the 5xxx series aluminum-magnesium alloys. The addition of magnesium significantly improves strength and corrosion resistance, especially in marine and chemical environments.
Core Performance Highlights
| Feature | Description |
|---|
| Alloy / Temper | 5052 / H32 (strain hardened and stabilized) |
| Strength Level | Medium to high (higher than 1100/3003, lower than 5083/6061) |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent, especially to seawater, salt spray, industrial atmosphere, and most common chemicals |
| Formability | Very good; suitable for bending, rolling, deep drawing, spinning |
| Weldability | Excellent; compatible with TIG, MIG, and resistance welding |
| Surface Quality | Smooth, clean surface; suitable for anodizing, painting, powder coating |
| Non-heat-treatable | Strength achieved by cold work; cannot be hardened by heat treatment |
| Fatigue Performance | Better fatigue resistance than many 1xxx and 3xxx series alloys |
| Density | ~2.68 g/cm³ (lightweight; ideal for weight-sensitive designs) |
| Recyclability | Fully recyclable with low material loss |
Typical Chemical Composition of 5052 Alloy
5052 is an Al-Mg alloy. Magnesium is the primary alloying element, with small additions of chromium and traces of other elements to stabilize grain structure and enhance performance.
| Element | Content (%) Typical | Standard Range (%) | Role in Alloy Performance |
|---|
| Al | Balance | Balance | Base metal; provides low density and natural oxide film |
| Mg | ~2.5 | 2.2 – 2.8 | Increases strength, improves corrosion resistance |
| Cr | ~0.20 | 0.15 – 0.35 | Controls grain structure, enhances toughness and corrosion behavior |
| Fe | ≤ 0.40 | ≤ 0.40 | Impurity; controlled to maintain ductility and surface quality |
| Si | ≤ 0.25 | ≤ 0.25 | Impurity; excessive levels reduce formability |
| Cu | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.10 | Impurity; higher copper reduces corrosion resistance |
| Mn | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.10 | Minor solid-solution strengthening |
| Zn | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.10 | Minor impurity; little effect at low levels |
| Others | ≤ 0.05 each | ≤ 0.05 each, ≤ 0.15 total | Tightly controlled to ensure consistent properties |
Mechanical Properties of 5052 H32 Aluminum Coil
Values below are typical reference data for sheet/coil thicknesses in common ranges. Actual values can vary slightly with thickness and production route.
| Property | Typical Value (Room Temp) | Notes |
|---|
| Tensile Strength, Rm | 215 – 260 MPa | Min. guaranteed usually ≥ 215 MPa |
| Yield Strength, Rp0.2 | ≥ 160 MPa | H32 temper, strain-hardened and stabilized |
| Elongation (A50) | 7 – 12 % | Varies with thickness (thicker → higher elongation) |
| Brinell Hardness (HB) | ~60 – 70 HB | Indicates moderate hardness with good formability |
| Modulus of Elasticity, E | ~70 GPa | Similar to most wrought aluminum alloys |
| Poisson’s Ratio | ~0.33 | Standard for aluminum |
| Shear Strength | ~140 MPa | Approximate reference value |
| Fatigue Strength (10⁷ cycles) | ~90 MPa (rotating bending) | Better than many 1xxx/3xxx series |
Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Value | Application Relevance |
|---|
| Density | ~2.68 g/cm³ | Lightweight designs, transportation fuel savings |
| Melting Range | ~607 – 649 °C | Guides processing and joining decisions |
| Thermal Conductivity | ~138 W/(m·K) | Good heat dissipation for enclosures and heat spreader plates |
| Electrical Conductivity | ~32 – 36 % IACS | Sufficient for non-critical conductive components |
| Coefficient of Expansion | ~23.8 × 10⁻⁶ /K | Important for multi-material assemblies and thermal cycling |
Standard Thickness, Width, and Coil Supply Range
Specific ranges vary by mill and order volume, but the following table gives a general idea for 5052 H32 aluminum coil supply.
| Parameter | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|
| Thickness | 0.20 – 6.0 mm | Thin gauge for panels, thicker for structural parts |
| Width | 20 – 2,000 mm | Slit coils and wide coils available |
| Coil Inner ID | 405 mm / 505 mm / 508 mm (common) | Match to your decoiler / processing equipment |
| Coil Outer OD | Up to 1,500 – 1,800 mm | Depends on thickness and max coil weight |
| Coil Weight | 1 – 8 metric tons (typical) | Customized by customer requirement |
| Surface Finish | Mill finish, brushed, embossed optional | Compatible with anodizing, painting, and lamination |
Processing Characteristics
Forming and Fabrication
| Process Type | Suitability Level | Comments |
|---|
| Cold bending | Excellent | Tight radii possible with proper tooling and orientation |
| Deep drawing | Very good | Frequently used for housings, casings, and containers |
| Roll forming | Excellent | Stable performance and low crack tendency |
| Spinning | Very good | Common for lighting reflectors and circular components |
| Machining | Moderate | Softer than 6xxx; sharp tools and correct parameters recommended |
Joining and Surface Treatment
| Aspect | Performance / Recommendation |
|---|
| Welding | Excellent; TIG/MIG with suitable filler (e.g., 5356, 5183) |
| Brazing | Limited with standard Al-brazing; verify with specific flux/filler |
| Riveting/Mechanical | Very good; retains strength after cold forming |
| Anodizing | Good; produces a uniform oxide layer; color anodizing possible |
| Painting / Coating | Excellent adhesion with proper pre-treatment (degrease, chromate-free) |
Advantages of Choosing 5052 H32 Aluminum Coil
The balance of properties makes 5052 H32 a “workhorse” alloy in many industries.
| Advantage Category | Benefit Description |
|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Withstands marine, coastal, and industrial atmospheres with minimal degradation |
| Strength-to-Weight | Higher strength than 1xxx/3xxx alloys while remaining light and easy to form |
| Process Efficiency | Good formability reduces scrap and tooling wear; fewer forming steps needed |
| Versatile Finishing | Compatible with anodizing, painting, laminating, and embossed textures |
| Cost-Effectiveness | Non-heat-treatable, simplified processing, long service life in corrosive settings |
| Design Flexibility | Wide thickness and width range suits both light panels and moderate structural use |
Typical Applications of 5052 H32 Aluminum Coil
Because of its balanced performance, 5052 H32 is found in many industries where corrosion resistance, strength, and appearance are key.
Transportation and Marine
| Application Area | Examples of Use | Why 5052 H32 Works Well |
|---|
| Marine structures | Boat side panels, hull plating, deck components, ship superstructures | Resists seawater and salt spray, easy to weld and repair |
| Vehicle body parts | Truck side panels, trailer bodies, tool boxes | Lightweight, good impact resistance, easy to form large panels |
| Rail and bus interiors | Interior wall panels, ceilings, luggage racks | Clean surface finish, good strength, fire-safe after coating |
Building and Architectural
| Application | Examples | Benefits |
|---|
| Curtain walls & facades | Exterior panels, architectural cladding | Weather resistance, long-term color stability after coating |
| Roofing & cladding | Coil-coated roofing sheets, gutter systems, flashings | Bendable on site, resists corrosion and leakage |
| Interior decoration | Ceiling panels, partition walls, decorative sheets | Smooth surface, suitable for printing and lamination |
Industrial Equipment and Storage
| Sector | Examples of Components | Why Chosen |
|---|
| Chemical & food tanks | Storage tanks, pressureless vessels, piping covers | Resists many chemicals; hygienic, easy to clean |
| HVAC & refrigeration | Ducts, covers, housings, air handling units | Light, easy to fabricate large sections, good thermal conduct. |
| Machinery covers | Safety guards, machine enclosures, panels | Corrosion resistant, attractive finish after coating |
Consumer and Electronic Products
| Application | Product Examples | Role of 5052 H32 |
|---|
| Household appliances | Washing machine panels, refrigerator liners, microwave housings | Good formability for stamped parts, stable dimensions |
| Electronics enclosures | Power supply shells, communication cabinets, instrument cases | Protects electronics, dissipates heat, supports fine finishing |
| Lighting industry | Reflectors, lamp housings, decorative rings | Suitable for spinning and anodizing, provides aesthetic look |
Quick Selection Guide
When evaluating whether 5052 H32 aluminum coil is suitable for your project, the following simplified guide can help:
| Requirement | Suitability of 5052 H32 |
|---|
| Need excellent corrosion resistance | Highly suitable, especially in marine/chemical |
| Need moderate to high strength | Suitable; stronger than 1100/3003, below 5083 |
| Need complex forming or deep drawing | Very suitable |
| Need high wear resistance or hard surface | Limited; consider additional surface treatment |
| Need heat-treatable high-strength alloy | Not suitable; consider 6xxx or 7xxx series |
| Need good weldability and long-term durability | Very suitable |
5052 H32 aluminum coil offers a robust balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and formability, making it an ideal choice for marine products, transportation equipment, building facades, storage tanks, and a wide variety of industrial and consumer applications.
With its excellent weldability, wide processing window, and compatibility with diverse surface treatments, 5052 H32 helps designers and manufacturers achieve durable, lightweight, and visually appealing solutions with high production efficiency.
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