5052 Aluminum Circle Plate
5052 aluminum circle plate is a versatile, corrosion-resistant, and highly workable aluminum product widely used across industries. It combines good strength, excellent formability, and superior resistance to marine and chemical environments.
5052 is an aluminum-magnesium (Al-Mg) alloy known for its excellent corrosion resistance, weldability, and moderate strength. The alloy is commonly supplied in plate/circle form for applications requiring deep drawing, bending, or forming. 5052 aluminum circles are frequently used in fabrication, architectural elements, pressure vessels, marine parts, lighting components, and cookware.
advantages:
- Excellent corrosion resistance, especially in marine environments
- Good formability and ductility for deep drawing and spinning
- Good weldability with common techniques (TIG, MIG)
- Stable strength after moderate cold working
- Good fatigue strength and stress-corrosion resistance
Common Functions
- Structural support components in non-critical load-bearing applications
- Aesthetic and protective outer surfaces (architectural façades, panels)
- Corrosion-resistant housings and enclosures (marine and chemical industries)
- Heat dissipating elements (light reflectors, heat sinks for low-thermal-demand applications)
- Formed components via spinning, deep drawing, bending, and stamping
- Components requiring subsequent anodizing or painting for enhanced surface protection and appearance
Typical Applications
- Marine hardware and boat components (decks, fuel tanks, hull fittings)
- Aircraft interior panels and non-structural parts
- Automotive fuel tanks, floor pan parts, and trim panels
- Electrical enclosures and junction boxes
- Lighting reflectors and housings
- Kitchenware, cookware, and food-processing equipment
- Chemical plant tanks and piping components where corrosion resistance is needed
- Pressure vessels and storage tanks (non-critical, depending on design and certification)
- Architectural panels, signage, and decorative elements
Alloy Temper and Processing Conditions
5052 alloy is commonly used in various tempers reflecting different degrees of cold work and heat treatment status. The most common tempers for 5052 aluminum circle plates include O, H32, H34, H38.
| Temper | Description | Typical Processing / Properties |
|---|---|---|
| O | Annealed (soft) | Maximum ductility for deep drawing and spinning. Lowest strength. |
| H32 | Strain-hardened and stabilized | Moderate strength with good formability; commonly used for parts requiring some forming and higher strength than O. |
| H34 | Strain-hardened and stabilized to higher strength | Higher strength than H32, less ductile. |
| H38 | Heavily strain-hardened | Highest strength among H tempers, limited formability. |
Notes:
- 5052 is a non-heat-treatable alloy; strengthening is achieved by cold working (strain hardening).
- Typical manufacturing operations for circles include rolling, blanking, spinning, and polishing. Annealing can be applied to restore ductility when required.
Chemical Composition
Typical chemical composition of 5052 aluminum alloy according to common standards (percent by weight):
| Element | Typical Range (%) |
|---|---|
| Al | Balance |
| Mg | 2.2 – 2.8 |
| Cr | 0.15 – 0.35 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.10 |
| Si | ≤ 0.25 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.40 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.10 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.10 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 |
| Other each | ≤ 0.05 |
| Other total | ≤ 0.15 |
(Values may vary slightly by specification and manufacturer; always confirm with supplier mill test certificate.)
Mechanical Properties
Mechanical properties depend on temper and thickness. Typical values for 5052 alloy plates/circles:
| Property | H32 (typical) | O (annealed) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 205 – 260 | 115 – 150 |
| Yield Strength (0.2% offset) (MPa) | 115 – 190 | 35 – 70 |
| Elongation (%) | 8 – 12 (depends on thickness) | 25 – 30 |
| Brinell Hardness (HB) | ≈ 50 – 70 | ≈ 25 – 40 |
Notes:
- Values differ with thickness and exact temper. Refer to specific standard and mill certificates for precise numbers.
- Fatigue strength and fracture toughness are favorable compared to some other non-heat-treatable alloys.
Physical and Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.68 g/cm³ |
| Melting Range | 607 – 649 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | ≈ 138 W/(m·K) (at 20 °C) |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 23.8 × 10^-6 /°C (approx) |
| Electrical Conductivity | ≈ 36 % IACS (varies with temper and impurity content) |
Standards and Specifications
5052 aluminum circle plates are manufactured and tested to several international and national standards. Commonly referenced standards include:
| Standard | Description / Scope |
|---|---|
| ASTM B209 | Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate |
| ASTM B221 | Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes (for related forms) |
| AMS-QQ-A-250/8 | Military/defense alloy specification (historical / sometimes used) |
| EN 573 / EN 485 | European chemical composition and mechanical property standards for wrought aluminium alloys |
| GB/T 3880, GB/T 3190 | Chinese standards for chemical composition and mechanical properties |
| ISO 6361 | Wrought Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Sheets, Strips and Plates |
Always verify with your supplier which exact standard and certification are provided (e.g., mill test reports, EN/ASTM compliance).
Manufacturing & Surface Finishes
Manufacturing processes for aluminum circles:
- Rolling (hot/cold) to plate thickness
- Annealing (if required) to achieve temper O
- Blanking and edging to circle dimensions
- Spinning (for deep-drawn parts)
- Polishing, buffing, and surface finishing
- Anodizing or coating (for enhanced corrosion resistance and appearance)
Common surface finishes:
- BA (Bright Annealed) — reflective, used for cookware, reflectors
- Mill Finish — standard matte surface
- Anodized (clear or colored) — improved corrosion resistance and aesthetics
- Polished/Mirror — for decorative and reflectivity use
- PE/ PVDF Coatings — for architectural panels requiring colored finishes
Dimensions & Tolerances
Typical dimension ranges for 5052 aluminum circles:
| Feature | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.3 mm to 10 mm (commercially common); thicker plates available upon request |
| Diameter | 50 mm up to 2000+ mm (customized cutting and edging possible) |
| Thickness Tolerances | ±0.05 mm (thin gauges) to ±0.2 mm (thicker plates) — depend on standard and mill capabilities |
| Flatness & Edge Tolerance | Per ASTM/EN/GB standard tolerances or customer-specific requirements |
Consult supplier for exact tolerances; tighter tolerances may incur additional processing costs.
Corrosion Resistance & Environmental Performance
5052 offers excellent corrosion resistance compared with many other aluminum alloys due to magnesium content and the presence of chromium for grain structure control.
- Excellent resistance to seawater and marine atmospheres
- Good resistance to stress-corrosion cracking
- Suitable for chemical environments, though specific chemical compatibility must be checked (avoid strong alkaline solutions which may attack aluminum)
- Anodizing further improves corrosion resistance and wear resistance
Welding, Fabrication & Forming
Welding:
- Good weldability by MIG, TIG, and resistance welding
- Typical filler metals: 5356 (commonly used for 5000-series welds) or 4043 depending on application
- Post-weld strength may be slightly reduced in the weld zone; choose filler and procedure per application
Forming & Fabrication:
- Excellent cold formability for deep drawing and bending (particularly in O temper)
- Springback must be considered; appropriate tooling and process controls required
- Machinability is fair; use appropriate tooling and speeds for aluminum alloys
- Surface protection (temporary coatings) recommended to prevent handling marks before final finishing
Quality Control & Testing
Common tests and quality checks for 5052 aluminum circle plates:
- Chemical analysis (OES/ICP) to verify composition
- Tensile testing for mechanical properties
- Hardness testing (Brinell or Vickers)
- Dimensional inspection (thickness, diameter, flatness)
- Visual inspection for surface defects (pits, scratches, roll marks)
- Non-destructive testing (e.g., eddy current) for critical applications
- Corrosion testing (salt spray) for certain marine and exterior applications
Choosing 5052 Aluminum Circle Plate — Selection Checklist
- Required corrosion resistance (marine/chemical environments) — 5052 is strong choice
- Forming needs (deep drawing/spinning) — choose O temper or light H32
- Structural load requirements — assess if non-heat-treatable strength is adequate; consider thicker gauge or alternative alloy for higher strength needs
- Finish requirements (anodized, mirror, painted) — verify pre-treatment and compatibility
- Welding requirements — plan filler and pre/post-weld treatment
- Standards & certifications required — ask supplier for mill test certifications and relevant standard compliance
Example Technical Specification (Typical Supply Data)
| Item | Typical Value / Range |
|---|---|
| Alloy | 5052 |
| Temper | O, H32, H34, H38 |
| Thickness | 0.3 mm – 10 mm (custom) |
| Diameter | 50 mm – 2000+ mm (custom) |
| Chemical Composition | Mg 2.2–2.8%, Cr 0.15–0.35%, Fe ≤0.40%, Si ≤0.25% |
| Tensile Strength | 115 – 260 MPa (depending on temper) |
| Yield Strength | 35 – 190 MPa (depending on temper) |
| Elongation | 8 – 30% (depends on temper & thickness) |
| Density | 2.68 g/cm³ |
| Surface Finishes | BA, Mill, Anodized, Polished, Coated |
Handling, Storage & Surface Protection
- Store flat, clean, and dry; protect from prolonged exposure to corrosive atmospheres
- Use protective films or papers to prevent scratches during handling
- Avoid contact with dissimilar metals (e.g., carbon steel) in damp environments to prevent galvanic corrosion
- Use clean tools and gloves to avoid oils and residues that may affect anodizing or painting