Definition of Aluminum 5052 | EN AW-5052 | 3.3523 | AlMg2,5
Aluminum 5052 | EN AW-5052 | 3.3523 | AlMg2,5 is a magnesium-based aluminum alloy known for good corrosion resistance, moderate strength, and easy forming. It performs especially well in wet, marine, and outdoor environments. The material is lightweight, weldable, and suitable for many CNC-machined and sheet-metal parts. It is commonly used for enclosures, tanks, marine parts, automotive components, brackets, panels, and general industrial products.
Properties of Aluminum 5052 | EN AW-5052 | 3.3523 | AlMg2,5
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Properties | |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 170 – 210 MPa |
| Yield strength | 70 – 120 MPa |
| Young’s modulus (modulus of elasticity) | 68 – 71 GPa |
| Elongation at break | 7 – 20 % |
| Physical Properties | |
| Corrosion resistance | Good |
| Magnetism | Non-magnetic |
| Thermal Properties | |
| Maximum service temperature | 190 °C |
| Thermal expansion coefficient | 23.8 – 25.7 × 10-6/ºC |
| Thermal conductivity | 138 – 140 W/(m⋅°C) |
| Electrical Properties | |
| Electrical resistivity | 4.99 μΩ*cm |
| Post Treatments | |
| Post-Processing | Hot & Cold working, Hardening only by cold working |
| Anodizing compatibility | Suitable |
| Common Applications | |
| Hydraulic tubes | Kitchen appliances |
| Cabinets | Small boats |
| Home freezers | Aircraft tubes |
| Fencing | |
Why Aluminum 5052 | EN AW-5052 | 3.3523 | AlMg2,5 Matters in CNC Workshops
- Good corrosion resistance: Aluminum 5052 resists rust and corrosion well, including in saltwater environments, making it useful for marine and outdoor parts.
- Easy to form and shape: It can be bent, formed, drilled, and machined into many different shapes without cracking easily.
- Lightweight with useful strength: It provides enough strength for many industrial parts while keeping the finished component light.
- Good for mixed manufacturing work: Aluminum 5052 works well when a project needs CNC machining together with bending, forming, or welding.
Surface Finishes for Aluminum 5052 | EN AW-5052 | 3.3523 | AlMg2,5
As-Machined
The default finish from CNC machining plastic stock (Delrin, nylon, HDPE, ABS). Visible linear tool path scallop marks across machined surfaces with a matte plastic sheen. No secondary operation suitable for functional components, jigs, fixtures, and internal parts where cosmetic appearance is secondary to dimensional accuracy.
Flame Polished
Quick post-fabrication process that passes a controlled flame over acrylic (PMMA) cut edges, melting the surface micro-layer to produce a crystal-clear, glossy, transparent edge. Fast and cost-effective for acrylic sheet edges produces optical clarity on cut borders without the labor of hand polishing. Ideal for display cases, signage, and acrylic enclosures.
Vapor Polished
Post-fabrication chemical process that exposes transparent plastic parts (acrylic, PC, PETG) to solvent vapor, melting and smoothing the surface micro-layer to dramatically improve optical clarity and gloss. Removes machining lines and produces crystal-clear transparent parts — essential for prototype lenses, light guides, display windows, fluidic chambers, and medical components requiring optical transparency.
Painted
Post-fabrication spray painting in any custom color (matte, satin, gloss, metallic) followed by screen printing or pad printing for logos, labels, buttons, and graphics. Applied over a primed plastic surface for uniform color and adhesion. Allows custom fabricated plastic parts to match production aesthetics widely used for control panels, instrument faces, enclosures, and marketing/showcase components requiring exact brand color and graphic printing.
Sanded
Post-fabrication sanding with progressively finer grit sandpaper (typically 240–600 grit) produces a uniform low-gloss matte non-reflective surface. Hides machining marks, scratches, and surface inconsistencies while providing a soft tactile feel. Used for HDPE, UHMW, and nylon components where a durable, non-glare, fingerprint-resistant matte appearance is desired for industrial and functional parts.
Heat Formed
Thermoforming process that heats plastic sheet (acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS) to its glass transition temperature and bends it over a form tool to create precise angles and curved shapes. Produces clean, smooth bend radii with consistent surface finish no tool marks at the bend. Used for display stands, guards, enclosures, signage, and custom fabricated parts requiring 3D formed shapes from flat sheet stock.
