What is 5052 aluminum?

Aluminum 5052 is an alloy of aluminum and magnesium that also contains small amounts of chromium, copper, iron, manganese, silicon and zinc. It is very malleable, strong, lightweight and resists corrosion, which makes it an excellent alloy for use in shipbuilding and marine applications, consumer electronics, and home appliances.

Aluminum 5052 is commonly used to build marine and aircraft fuel tanks and oil lines, electronics and appliance casings, fencing, and wiring. Pure aluminum is soft, making it unsuitable for most of these commercial applications. The addition of other metals to create alloys combined with heat treatments and cold-working methods increase the strength and hardness of aluminum.