5052 at a glance
Where to buy
Designation
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Designation | 5052 |
| Class | Aluminum |
| Type | wrought aluminum alloy |
Composition
| Element | Limit |
|---|---|
| Si | 0.25 |
| Fe | 0.40 |
| Cu | 0.10 |
| Mn | 0.10 |
| Mg | 2.2–2.8 |
| Cr | 0.15–0.35 |
| Zn | 0.10 |
| Al | Remainder |
A single number is a maximum. Other elements: 0.05 each, 0.15 total, except where the Teal Sheets say otherwise. Source: Aluminum Association Teal Sheets (Aug 2018).
Specifications and forms
| Specification | Form |
|---|---|
| AMS 4015, AMS 4016, AMS 4017 | Sheet and plate |
| AMS-QQ-A-250/8 | Sheet and plate |
Specifications as listed by MIL-HDBK-5J. Federal QQ-A specifications passed to SAE as AMS-QQ-A. Check the current revision.
Properties
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.097 lb/in³ (2.68 g/cm³) | Teal Sheets |
| Brinell hardness, O / H36 | 47 / 73 | AC 43.13-1B Table 4-5 |
| Arc welding | A (O and H tempers) | MIL-HDBK-5J Table 3.1.3.4(a) |
| Spot welding | B (O), A (H32 to H38) | MIL-HDBK-5J Table 3.1.3.4(a) |
| E / Ec | 10.1 / 10.2 × 10³ ksi | MIL-HDBK-5J Table 3.5.1.0(b1) |
Density is the Aluminum Association nominal figure.
Design allowables, 5052 sheet and plate (S basis)
| Property, ksi | O | H32 | H34 | H36 | H38 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ftu, L | 25 | 31 | 34 | 37 | 39 |
| Ftu, LT | — | 31 | 34 | 37 | 39 |
| Fty, L | 9.5 | 23 | 26 | 29 | 32 |
| Fty, LT | — | 22 | 25 | 29 | 32 |
| Fcy, L | — | 22 | 25 | — | — |
| Fcy, LT | — | 23 | 26 | — | — |
| Fsu | 16 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 |
| Fbru, e/D = 1.5 | — | 50 | 54 | 59 | 62 |
| Fbru, e/D = 2.0 | — | 65 | 71 | 78 | 82 |
| Fbry, e/D = 1.5 | — | 32 | 37 | 41 | 44 |
| Fbry, e/D = 2.0 | — | 37 | 41 | 46 | 51 |
Thickness: O 0.006–3.000 in; H32 0.017–2.000; H34 0.009–1.000; H36 0.006–0.162; H38 0.006–0.128. MIL-HDBK-5J Table 3.5.1.0(b1), p. 3-220. H36 and H38 Fty L are from Aluminum Standards and Data, 1982. Dashes: not listed.
Bend radii (AC 43.13-1B Table 4-6)
| Alloy and temper | 0.016" | 0.032" | 0.064" | 0.128" | 0.182" | 0.258" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5052-O | 0 | 0 | 0 – 1t | 0 – 1t | 0 – 1t | 0 – 1t |
| 5052-H32 | 0 | 0 | ½t – 1t | ½t – 1½t | ½t – 1½t | ½t – 1½t |
| 5052-H34 | 0 | 0 | ½t – 1½t | 1½t – 2½t | 1½t – 2½t | 2t – 3t |
| 5052-H36 | 0 – 1t | ½t – 1½t | 1t – 2t | 1½t – 3t | 2t – 4t | 2t – 4t |
| 5052-H38 | ½t – 1½t | 1t – 2t | 1½t – 3t | 2t – 4t | 3t – 5t | 4t – 6t |
Recommended radii for 90-degree bends, as multiples of sheet thickness t. Alclad sheet may go slightly tighter than bare (Table 4-6 note 1). The drawing or SRM governs.
Minimum bend radius, inches (AMT Handbook Chart 204)
| Alloy and temper | 0.020" | 0.032" | 0.040" | 0.063" | 0.125" | 0.190" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5052-O, 6061-O, 5052-H32 | .03 | .03 | .06 | .06 | .12 | .19 |
| 7178-O, 2024-O, 5052-H34, 6061-T4, 7075-O | .03 | .03 | .06 | .09 | .25 | .38 |
Selected thicknesses from FAA-H-8083-31B Chart 204, p. 4-61. Chart 204 and AC Table 4-6 do not agree everywhere: where they differ, use the larger radius or the SRM.
Forms and thicknesses in stock
| Distributor sheet | Listed | Thickness, in |
|---|---|---|
| 5052H-32 Aluminum Sheet For Fuel Tanks | 0.032"–0.050" · full/half sheets | .032, .040, .050 |
As distributors list them, not a statement of what a specification allows.
Weight by thickness
| Thickness, in | mm | lb/ft² | kg/m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.016 | 0.41 | 0.223 | 1.09 |
| 0.020 | 0.51 | 0.279 | 1.36 |
| 0.025 | 0.64 | 0.349 | 1.70 |
| 0.032 | 0.81 | 0.447 | 2.18 |
| 0.040 | 1.02 | 0.559 | 2.73 |
| 0.050 | 1.27 | 0.698 | 3.41 |
| 0.063 | 1.60 | 0.880 | 4.30 |
| 0.071 | 1.80 | 0.992 | 4.84 |
| 0.080 | 2.03 | 1.117 | 5.45 |
| 0.090 | 2.29 | 1.257 | 6.14 |
| 0.100 | 2.54 | 1.397 | 6.82 |
| 0.125 | 3.17 | 1.746 | 8.52 |
Computed for density 0.097 by our sheet weight calculator. Kilograms and millimetres converted.
Notes from the guide
- Not a source of design allowables. Values are for reference. MMPDS and the SRM govern a repair.
- Not a substitution approval. A different alloy or temper needs approved data.
- Not a substitute for 2024 or 6061 in structure without approved data.
Where to buy
Distributors coming soon.
Sources
- FAA AC 43.13-1B CHG 1, Chapters 4 and 7 — Tables 4-5, 4-6; pars. 7-2, 8-32.
- FAA-H-8083-31B, AMT Handbook — Airframe, Volume 1, Chapter 4 — p. 4-30; Chart 204, p. 4-61.
- MIL-HDBK-5J (31 Jan 2003), Chapter 3 — Tables 3.1.3.4(a), 3.5.1.0(a), (b1). Cancelled and superseded by MMPDS: check current MMPDS before design use.
- Aluminum Association, International Alloy Designations (Teal Sheets), rev. Aug 2018 — chemical composition limits and nominal densities.
- MMPDS (formerly MIL-HDBK-5) — the current home of design allowables. A repair substantiation cites MMPDS or the SRM, not a website.
- Distributor listings — stock forms, sizes and listed facts, read 30 September 2026.