Aluminum 5252 · temper · default condition
Aluminum 5252-H25
Properties of the H25 condition, compared with the other 5252 tempers.
Standard bright-trim temper: best balance of ~235 MPa strength with enough ductility for roll forming and bright anodizing.
What is 5252-H25?
5252-H25 is 5252 in the H25 temper — standard bright-trim temper: best balance of ~235 MPa strength with enough ductility for roll forming and bright anodizing. 5252-H25 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi). 5252-H25 has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 68/100, better than 81% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades
5252-H25 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5252-H25 — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5252 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5252-H25 has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Mechanical10
5252-H25 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
5252-H25 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 138 W/m·K (79.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 55% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5252-H25 conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 73% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5252-H25 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability7
5252-H25's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability good (68/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5252 tempers and conditions
5252 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5252 overview.
- H25DefaultStandard bright-trim temper: best balance of ~235 MPa strength with enough ductility for roll forming and bright anodizing.170 MPa yield · 68 HB
- H38Fully hardened and thermally stabilized 5252 sheet — highest strength temper, used for bright-anodized automotive trim where stiffness matters more than bending.240 MPa yield · 105 HB
- H28Choose for stiff, dent-resistant flat trim and reflectors where only mild bending is needed.240 MPa yield · 80 HB
- H32Stabilized temper for dimensionally stable formed parts that must not age-soften; strength close to H25.175 MPa yield · 66 HB
- H24Half-hard partially annealed 5252 sheet — bright-anodizing Al-2.5Mg trim stock with good balance of strength and bending formability.165 MPa yield · 65 HB
- OPick for deep drawing, severe bending or spinning of trim shapes; strengthen only by later strain hardening.85 MPa yield · 47 HB
Working with 5252-H25
Is 5252 easy to machine?
Gummy and adhesive like other soft 5xxx alloys — use sharp polished high-rake carbide tools, high speed, generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and surface smearing.
Can 5252 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 filler; avoid 4xxx Si fillers (Mg2Si brittleness) and expect weld-zone softening to near-O strength.
Can 5252 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H25 for roll forming, bending and stretch-forming trim profiles; anneal 345 °C for severe draws and watch springback in H28.
What surface finishes work on 5252?
Designed for bright dipping and clear/coloured bright anodizing; also takes chemical brightening, buffing and painting — protect the surface in-process since scratches show after anodizing.
5252 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Sirestricted for bright anodizing | ≤ 0.08 | — |
| Ferestricted for bright anodizing | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mgprincipal strengthener | 2.2 – 2.8 | 2.5 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
5252-H25 — frequently asked
What is 5252-H25 used for?
5252-H25 is typically used for decorative automotive trim, lighting reflectors, bright-anodized trim strip, decorative appliance panels, roll-formed moulding profiles and nameplates and badges. In short: bright anodizing sheet.
What is the yield strength of 5252-H25?
5252-H25 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) — weaker than 57% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 5252-H25 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades). Gummy and adhesive like other soft 5xxx alloys — use sharp polished high-rake carbide tools, high speed, generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and surface smearing.
Can 5252-H25 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 filler; avoid 4xxx Si fillers (Mg2Si brittleness) and expect weld-zone softening to near-O strength.
What surface finishes work on 5252-H25?
Designed for bright dipping and clear/coloured bright anodizing; also takes chemical brightening, buffing and painting — protect the surface in-process since scratches show after anodizing.
Can 5252-H25 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H25 for roll forming, bending and stretch-forming trim profiles; anneal 345 °C for severe draws and watch springback in H28.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5252-H25?
5252-H25 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 5252-H25 and 5252-O?
H25 is the default condition — standard bright-trim temper: best balance of ~235 MPa strength with enough ductility for roll forming and bright anodizing. O: pick for deep drawing, severe bending or spinning of trim shapes; strengthen only by later strain hardening. Yield strength is 170 MPa in H25 versus 85 MPa in O.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5252-H25?
Yes — 5252-H25 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.