5xxx series · Tanks, paneling and light craft
5052 Aluminum Sheet & Coil for Marine Paneling and Tanks
5052 in H32 and H34 for marine paneling, fuel tanks and small craft — supplied as sheet or coil from 0.5 to 6 mm, slit and cut to length with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate per batch.
Other 5xxx grades we supply
Same marine family, different balance of strength, formability and service temperature.
Which temper do you need?
Pick the stabilized temper for the exposure and forming requirements of each part.
The standard temper for fuel tanks, paneling and ducting.
- 214 MPa min tensile / 159 MPa min proof
- ASTM B209 basis
- Fuel tanks, panelling, ducting
Higher-strength work-hardened temper for small craft panels.
- Confirm values on the MTC
- Small craft hulls and panels
- Stiffer than H32, less formable
Deep-drawing and forming tempers.
- Confirm values on the MTC
- Complex formed parts
- Best formability in the grade
Where 5052 is used on board
5052 sheet thickness starts at 0.5 mm; heavier sections carry primary loads.
Fuel & water tanks
5052-H32 sheet is the default for welded marine tanks, ducts and sumps.
1.5–6 mm
Panelling & ceiling
Lightweight decorative and functional panels for interiors and deck heads.
1–3 mm
Ducting & ventilation
Formed ducting, louvres and ventilation trunking in H32 and O tempers.
0.8–2 mm
Small craft hulls
Used for small boat hulls and decks where moderate strength is sufficient.
1.5–4 mm
Why 5052 wins in marine service
Four numbers that decide the specification.
Same section modulus, lower center of gravity and fuel burn.
Compatible filler chemistry keeps joints corrosion-resistant without post-weld heat treatment.
Mill test certificate issued by the producing mill and countersigned by our QC team.
For long-term service above this, 5454 is the usual alternative.
Real-world corrosion resistance
8-year atmospheric and splash-zone exposure data on Al–Mg 5xxx alloys.
- Stabilized tempers: H116/H321 keep intergranular and exfoliation corrosion low in continuous immersion and splash zones.
- Lot-release testing: ASTM G66 ASSET and G67 NAMLT confirm resistance to sensitization before shipment.
- Design matters: isolate aluminum from dissimilar metals, avoid standing water in crevices, and stay below the 65 °C long-term ceiling.
Actual rates depend on local water chemistry, design and maintenance.
5052 mechanical properties
Minimum / typical values per ASTM B209 / B928. Certified values are shown on the EN 10204 3.1 MTC supplied with each batch.
| Temper | Tensile Rm (MPa) | Proof Rp0.2 (MPa) | Elongation A50 (%) | Typical marine use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H32 | 214–262 | ≥159 | ≥12 | Fuel tanks, panelling, ducting |
| H34 | confirm on MTC | confirm on MTC | — | Small craft hulls, panels |
| O / H111 | confirm on MTC | confirm on MTC | — | Deep drawing, complex forming |
H32 values above are per ASTM B209: 214 MPa min tensile and 159 MPa min proof. EN 485-2 gives a 210–260 MPa range for the same temper — do not mix the two standards. Other tempers are confirmed against the Mill Test Certificate for the ordered lot.
5052 forms we supply
A forming and paneling alloy — not a scantling alloy.
| Form | Thickness | How it is supplied | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet | 0.5–6 mm | Sheared, levelled and cut to length | Slitting partner to 3 mm; partner mills above |
| Coil | 0.5–3 mm | Slit to width, edge-dressed and recoiled | Slitting partner capability |
5052 is not supplied as heavy plate. Where strength governs the design, the grade changes to 5083 or 5086 rather than the gauge going up.
5052 supply parameters by form
Every parameter below is confirmed against a standard or against your order. Where no published source exists, we say so instead of guessing.
Sheet0.5–6 mm
| Parameter | What we supply | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.5–6 mm | Sheet range; above 6 mm see plate |
| Supply route | Up to 3 mm from the slitting partner; 3–6 mm from partner mills | Supply arrangement |
| Tensile | 214 MPa min (H32) | ASTM B209 |
| Yield | 159 MPa min | ASTM B209 |
| Temper | H32 · H34 · O/H111 | Grade temper range |
| Cutting | Sheared, levelled and cut to length | Slitting partner line |
| Flatness | Levelled before release | Line capability |
| Certificate | EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate | Producing mill |
Coil0.5–3 mm
| Parameter | What we supply | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.5–3 mm | Strand available for slitting |
| Width | Slit to your width | Slitting partner capability |
| Coil inner diameter | 508 mm or 610 mm nominal | Confirmed against your uncoiler |
| Coil weight | To your handling limit | Confirmed per order |
| Edge condition | Slit edge, burr controlled on request | Slitting line setting |
| Bend radius | Confirmed for the ordered gauge | Gauge-dependent, not a fixed multiple |
| Tensile | 214 MPa min (H32) | ASTM B209 |
| Certificate | EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate | Producing mill |
When to specify 5052
The most formable, lowest-cost 5xxx — for tanks, linings and light craft, not hull shell.
| Application | Why 5052 fits | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel, hydraulic and fresh-water tanks | Excellent formability and corrosion behavior; easy to roll and weld | Above roughly 65 °C fluid temperature, move to 5454 |
| Small craft hulls and decks | Lower strength is adequate for light, low-load boats | Above roughly 24 m, move to 5083 or 5086 |
| Interior paneling, ducts, louvers and hatch covers | Best forming in the 5xxx marine family at the lowest cost | Not for load-bearing scantlings |
| Sheet-metal parts with tight radii | Forms tighter radii than 5754 and 5083 | Bend radius still varies with thickness and temper — confirm per lot |
| Primary hull shell or main deck | NOT suitable — lowest strength of the common marine 5xxx grades | 5083 or 5086 |
5052 wins on forming and cost. The moment strength governs the design, move up to 5754 or 5083.
Common substitution mistakes
Cheap is fine until the part turns out to be structural.
| Mistake | Why it fails | Correct choice |
|---|---|---|
| Using 5052 for hull shell or main deck | Lowest strength of the common marine 5xxx grades, and not on the EN 13195 hull alloy list | 5083 or 5086 |
| Treating 214 MPa as a typical value | 214 MPa is the ASTM B209 minimum for H32; actual values run higher. Blending the two distorts the design | Design to the minimum and quote actuals separately |
| Mixing ASTM B209 and EN 485-2 numbers | The two standards publish different bands for 5052-H32 | Pick one standard and stay inside it |
| Building a hot-oil or asphalt tank in 5052 | Sustained service above roughly 65 °C risks sensitization | 5454 |
| Assuming a single bend radius | Published values for 5052 span 0.5t to 1.75t depending on source and temper | Trial bend on the actual lot |
Send the tank volume, fluid temperature and gauge and we will tell you whether 5052 holds.
From the supply floor
What we check before a lot is released.
Temper verification
We confirm H32 or H34 as ordered — the strength band depends on it.
Minimum versus actual
We quote the ASTM B209 minimum for H32 (214 MPa tensile, 159 MPa proof) and the actual certificate values separately. They are never blended.
Forming check
5052 forms well, but bend radius still varies with gauge and temper. We trial-bend before committing to a production run.
Weld filler match
ER5356 is standard for 5052 fabrication; ER5183 where a higher seam strength is specified.
Documentation
EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate per batch; class-society inspection available on request.
Limitations
The most formable 5xxx is also the weakest. Where that matters.
Not structural
Lowest strength of the common marine 5xxx grades. Keep it off primary hull and main deck.
Strength basis
H32: 214 MPa min tensile and 159 MPa min proof per ASTM B209; EN 485-2 gives a 210–260 MPa range. Do not mix the two.
Temperature
Sustained service above roughly 65 °C is outside the recommended range. Use 5454 instead.
Forming
Bend radius varies with thickness and temper; no single published value is defensible.
Classification
Class-society inspection is available on request; not every batch ships with survey by default.
5052 against the rest of the 5xxx family
Choose on strength, forming and service temperature — not habit. Values are minima or published ranges for common tempers; confirm against the MTC before substituting.
| Alloy | Mg content (%) | Tensile Rm (MPa) | Proof Rp0.2 (MPa) | Marine corrosion | Best used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5083 | 4.0–4.9 | 305–385 | ≥215 | Excellent — G66/G67 | Hull, deck, LNG secondary barrier |
| 5086 | 3.5–4.5 | 275 min | ≥195 | Excellent | Hull plating, fast craft, pressure vessels |
| 5754 | 2.6–3.6 | 190–240 | ≥80 | Very good | Superstructures, tanks, general fabrication |
| 5052 | 2.2–2.8 | 214–262 | ≥160 | Very good | Fuel tanks, panelling, ducting |
| 5454 | 2.4–3.0 | 215–285 | ≥85 | Excellent at temperature | Warm service above 65 °C, chemical carriers |
| 5182 | 4.0–5.0 | 230–350 | ≥130 | Good | Tank bodies, stiffeners, reinforcement |
Higher-Mg grades give more strength but different forming limits and corrosion windows. Values are minima or published ranges for common tempers — always confirm the temper and thickness band on the Mill Test Certificate before substituting.
Standards and certification
The standards a general-purpose 5xxx is supplied and certified to.
How we supply 5052
From producing mill to yard, with independent QC at each step.
Cut-to-length
Plasma / saw cut to your nesting. Length up to 12,000 mm; width up to 2,650 mm.
CTL
Sea-export packing
Wooden stillage, edge protection, waterproof film. Steel strapping on export stillages.
Export
Per-batch certificate
EN 10204 3.1 MTC issued by the producing mill and countersigned by our QC team.
3.1 MTC
What we need to quote 5052
Each form asks different questions. Answer these and a quote stops being an estimate.
Sheet
Sheet quotes move on gauge tolerance and flatness, not just on alloy.
Whether it is structural or lining
5052 is not on the hull list. It is supplied for tanks, panels and small craft interiors.
Thickness and tolerance band
State whether you are working to ASTM or EN tolerances — the bands differ.
Sheet size, or cut to length from coil
Cut-to-length from coil is usually the economical route for longer pieces.
Whether levelling is required
Formed panels and flat linings do not need the same flatness.
Quantity by weight or by sheet count
Both are workable. Weight is how mills price, count is how you receive.
Coil
Coil orders fail on dimensions, not on alloy.
Bend radius you are working to
5052 buys formability. Tell us how far you are pushing it.
Thickness, slit width and number of slits
State the widths and how many of each — one coil can yield several.
Coil inner diameter
508 mm or 610 mm, matched to your uncoiler mandrel.
Maximum coil weight
Set by your crane or coil car, not by what the mill can wind.
Delivery port and packing
Coil ships eye-to-sky or eye-to-side. State which your unloading can handle.
Frequently asked questions
What is 5052 used for on boats?
Fuel and water tanks, panelling, ducting, small craft hulls and anywhere thin, formable sheet is needed.
Which temper is best for marine tanks?
H32 is the default. H34 when a little extra strength is needed. O temper for deep-drawn tanks.
Can 5052 be used for hull plating?
Only on very small craft and non-primary structure. For primary hull plating, use 5083 or 5086.
What filler wire should I use?
ER5356 is the standard choice for 5052. ER4043 is sometimes used for lower-strength joints.
What certificate comes with each order?
EN 10204 3.1 MTC per batch. Classification-society certification for hull structure applies to 5083, 5086 and 5754.
What thickness range can you supply?
Sheet 0.5–6 mm and coil 0.5–3 mm, slit or cut to length. 5052 is not supplied as plate.
Is 5052 corrosion resistant in salt water?
Yes — very good in atmospheric and splash zones. Not recommended for continuous immersion in primary structure.
Can you supply cut-to-size 5052 sheet?
Yes — send dimensions or a nesting file for a quote.
Need a 5052 marine sheet quotation?
Send grade, temper, thickness, width and quantity — we quote against current mill availability.
Delin Aluminum supplies 5xxx marine plate and sheet for hull, deck and offshore structures worldwide. Material comes from mills working to ASTM and EN standards, with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate issued per batch.
