Mill finish aluminum 5052 is a higher strength alloy than the 1100 or 3003 series. It offers excellent corrosion resistance and its major alloying element is magnesium. Magnesium allows for a much lower melting point without the brittleness. Aluminum 5052 is a non-heat treatable aluminum alloy.

Aluminum is created by mining bauxite ore. The bauxite ore is ground and mixed with caustic soda to create a slurry. The slurry is sent to a high-pressure container and heated to high temperatures. Aluminum oxide is dissolved by the caustic soda and separated from the slurry. This is called alumina.

Alumina is dissolved in a cryolite bath. Aluminum metal is separated from the chemical solution after an electrical current is passed through the bath. The aluminum is then sent to a furnace for further mixing to form the various alloys.

Benefits of aluminum 5052 include excellent finishing characteristics, bright anodized coatings, good corrosion resistance, and weldability. It is the alloy most suited for forming fabrication, but is not suited for extensive machining.

Aluminum 5052 is ideal for marine applications due to its superior salt water resistance. More applications are listed below.

To see which of our locations process and stock mill finish aluminum 5052 download our line cards.