5086 Aluminum vs 5052
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Both 5086 and 5052 aluminum alloys belong to the 5000 series, meaning they are primarily alloyed with magnesium. While they share some similarities, there are significant differences in terms of strength, corrosion resistance, and suitability for various applications.
For applications that require excellent formability and corrosion resistance in freshwater environments, choose 5052 aluminum. For applications where exceptional strength and corrosion resistance are crucial in seawater, especially in marine and offshore environments, choose 5086 aluminum.
5086 Aluminum vs 5052 Summary Comparison
| Property | 5052 Aluminum | 5086 Aluminum |
| Magnesium Content | 2.2%–2.8% | ~4.0% |
| Strength | Medium | High |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent (freshwater) | Superior (saltwater) |
| Formability | High | Moderate |
| Marine Use | Preferred | Limited to mild exposure |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Weldability | Excellent | Good (requires care) |
| Post-Weld Strength | Better retention | Reduced strength |
| Common Applications | Fuel tanks, boat hulls (freshwater) | Marine structures, boat hulls (saltwater) |
5086 Aluminum vs 5052 Composition and Mechanical Properties
- 5052 Aluminum: Magnesium content is 2.2% to 2.8%, known for its excellent corrosion resistance, especially in marine environments. It has moderate strength and good weldability, making it suitable for applications like hulls and fuel tanks.
- 5086 Aluminum: Higher magnesium content (about 4.0%) and contains small amounts of manganese and chromium. Compared to 5052, this composition offers higher strength and corrosion resistance, especially in seawater environments.
5086 Aluminum vs 5052 Chemical Composition
5086 Aluminum Chemical Composition
- Magnesium (Mg): 3.5–4.5% (main alloying element).
- Manganese (Mn): 0.2–0.7%.
- Chromium (Cr): 0.05–0.25%.
Compared to 5052, silicon and iron content are lower.
5052 Aluminum Chemical Composition
- Magnesium (Mg): 2.2–2.8% (lower than 5086).
- Chromium (Cr): 0.15–0.35%.
- Manganese content is very low (≤0.1%), silicon/iron content is higher.
The higher magnesium content in 5086 improves its strength and corrosion resistance in marine environments, while the lower magnesium content in 5052 reduces the risk of stress corrosion cracking.
5086 Aluminum vs 5052 Mechanical Properties
| Property | 5086 (H116 temper) | 5052 (H32 temper) |
| Tensile Strength | 290 MPa (42,000 psi) | 228 MPa (33,000 psi) |
| Yield Strength | 207 MPa (30,000 psi) | 193 MPa (28,000 psi) |
| Elongation | 12% | 12–18% |
| Fatigue Strength | 150 MPa (21,800 psi) | 117 MPa (17,000 psi) |
| Brinell Hardness | 78 | 60 |
5086's strength is significantly higher than 5052, especially in strain-hardened states (e.g., H116). However, 5052 has better elongation in the annealed (O) state, making it easier to form.
5086 Aluminum vs 5052 Formability and Weldability
Both alloys can be welded using MIG/TIG welding methods.
- 5052 Aluminum: Has excellent formability, easy to bend, stamp, or stretch. It also has excellent weldability, making it an ideal material for complex shapes and structures.
- 5086 Aluminum: While not as formable as 5052, it still has good workability, especially in the O state (annealed). It can be welded using methods like TIG and MIG welding but care must be taken to avoid softening in the heat-affected zone.
5086 Aluminum Weldability and Post-Weld Strength
- After welding, about 90% of the ultimate tensile strength is retained (from 290 MPa down to around 260 MPa).
- The yield strength decreases more significantly (in H116 temper, from 210 MPa down to 120 MPa).
5052 Aluminum Weldability and Post-Weld Strength
The strength loss after welding is greater, but it still retains ductility.
Both alloys have good weldability, but it is important to note:
- 5052: After welding, the strength loss is minimal, suitable for medium-strength welded structures.
- 5086: Has better weldability and is the material of choice for welded structures in ships, pressure vessels, etc.
5086's post-weld strength retention makes it an ideal choice for structural marine components, while 5052 is more suitable for non-critical welded parts.
5086 Aluminum vs 5052 Corrosion Resistance
- 5052 Aluminum: Exhibits excellent corrosion resistance in marine environments and is very suitable for freshwater applications.
- 5086 Aluminum: Due to its higher magnesium content, it has outstanding corrosion resistance, especially in saltwater environments. This makes it the preferred choice for seawater applications.
| Property | 5052 Aluminum | 5086 Aluminum |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent, suitable for general corrosive environments like building decoration and piping | Excellent seawater corrosion resistance, widely used in ships, marine engineering, and pressure vessels |
| Suitable Environment | Performs excellently in freshwater and general industrial environments, but may be limited in high salt environments over long periods | Performs exceptionally well in high salt environments, suitable for marine and extreme conditions |
| Stress Corrosion Resistance | Average, suitable for general environments | High magnesium content and chromium addition enhance its pitting and stress corrosion resistance |
| Application Areas | Building decoration, piping, general industrial environments | Ships, marine engineering, pressure vessels, and other highly corrosive environments |
5086
- Due to its higher magnesium content, it has excellent corrosion resistance in saltwater.
- Widely used in marine applications (hull, ladders, offshore drilling platforms).
- Under certain conditions, high-magnesium alloys (magnesium content > 3.5%) are prone to stress corrosion cracking.
5052
- Good overall corrosion resistance, especially in marine environments.
- Lower magnesium content minimizes the risk of stress corrosion cracking.
5086 is suitable for harsh marine environments, while 5052 is more suitable for less demanding applications.
5086 Aluminum vs 5052 Thermal and Electrical Properties
Thermal Conductivity
- 5086: 125 W/m·K.
- 5052: 138 W/m·K.
Electrical Conductivity
- 5086: 31% IACS.
- 5052: 35% IACS.
5052 has a slight advantage in heat dissipation and electrical applications.
5086 Aluminum vs 5052 Applications
- 5052 Aluminum: Commonly used for manufacturing fuel tanks, pressure vessels, and hulls, especially in freshwater environments.
- 5086 Aluminum: Due to its high strength and corrosion resistance, it is the preferred marine application material for hulls, shipbuilding, and other structures exposed to seawater.
5086 Aluminum Applications
- Marine structures (hull, ladders).
- Pressure vessels, cryogenic storage tanks, armor plates (e.g., military vehicles).
- Offshore oil and gas platforms.
5052 Aluminum Applications
- Consumer electronics (laptop housings, televisions).
- Building panels, fuel tanks, general sheet metal parts.
- Cost-sensitive marine components (e.g., small vessels using thicker steel plates).
5086 Aluminum vs 5052 Cost and Availability
- 5052 is typically cheaper and more readily available.
- 5086, due to its specialized marine-grade performance, is more expensive, but offers a higher strength-to-weight ratio.
| Property | 5052 Aluminum | 5086 Aluminum |
| Cost | Lower cost | Slightly higher cost due to complex alloy composition |
| Workability | Excellent workability, especially in ductility and bendability | Workability is more average, but strength and corrosion resistance advantages are significant |
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