Aluminum 5652 · temper
Aluminum 5652-H38
Properties of the H38 condition, compared with the other 5652 tempers.
Maximum cold-worked strength for flat parts, shims and lightly formed covers.
What is 5652-H38?
5652-H38 is 5652 in the H38 temper — maximum cold-worked strength for flat parts, shims and lightly formed covers. 5652-H38 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi). 5652-H38 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
5652-H38 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5652-H38 — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5652 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5652-H38 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Mechanical10
5652-H38 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5652-H38 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
5652-H38 conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 99% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5652-H38 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
5652-H38's machinability is good (60/100, better than 50% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (38/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5652 tempers and conditions
5652 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5652 overview.
- H38Maximum cold-worked strength for flat parts, shims and lightly formed covers.255 MPa yield · 77 HB
- H36Thin-gauge sheet where high strength and flatness are needed with only mild forming.240 MPa yield · 73 HB
- H24Half-hard 5652 sheet, cold rolled and partially annealed; higher strength than H22 with moderate bendability, used for peroxide tanks and marine panels.215 MPa yield · 68 HB
- H34Choose when higher strength and stiffness-limited panel gauge matter more than bending ductility.215 MPa yield · 68 HB
- H32Default stocked sheet/plate temper: good strength with retained bend formability for pressure vessels and H2O2 tanks.195 MPa yield · 60 HB
- H22Quarter-hard 5652 sheet, cold worked then back-annealed to a stable quarter-hard level; strength and formability essentially match H32 with excellent marine/peroxide-service corrosion resistance.195 MPa yield · 60 HB
- OPick for maximum formability — deep drawing, spinning and tight-radius bending of tank heads.90 MPa yield · 47 HB
Working with 5652-H38
Is 5652 easy to machine?
Gummy Al-Mg chip — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous lubricant to avoid built-up edge; better finish in H34/H38 than O.
Can 5652 be welded?
Excellent GTAW/GMAW with ER5356 or ER5654 filler (ER5654 preferred for peroxide/high-temperature service); HAZ reverts toward O strength, so design welds to annealed properties.
Can 5652 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O and H32; allow generous bend radii in H36/H38 and consider interstage annealing at 345 °C for deep draws.
What surface finishes work on 5652?
Anodizes well (clear/hardcoat, slightly grey tone); passivation and scrupulous cleaning are mandatory for hydrogen-peroxide tank interiors; paints and conversion coatings adhere readily.
5652 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mg | 2.2 – 2.8 | 2.5 |
| Cr | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Si+Fecombined limit, tighter than 5052 | ≤ 0.4 | — |
| Curestricted to limit H2O2 decomposition | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Mnrestricted for peroxide service | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
5652-H38 — frequently asked
What is 5652-H38 used for?
5652-H38 is typically used for hydrogen peroxide storage tanks, rocket propellant and oxidiser tanks, chemical transport vessels, oxidiser piping and fittings, tank heads and bulkheads and marine sheet-metal parts. In short: hydrogen peroxide-grade 5052.
What is the yield strength of 5652-H38?
5652-H38 has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 5652-H38 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 50% of aluminum grades). Gummy Al-Mg chip — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous lubricant to avoid built-up edge; better finish in H34/H38 than O.
Can 5652-H38 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent GTAW/GMAW with ER5356 or ER5654 filler (ER5654 preferred for peroxide/high-temperature service); HAZ reverts toward O strength, so design welds to annealed properties.
What surface finishes work on 5652-H38?
Anodizes well (clear/hardcoat, slightly grey tone); passivation and scrupulous cleaning are mandatory for hydrogen-peroxide tank interiors; paints and conversion coatings adhere readily.
Can 5652-H38 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O and H32; allow generous bend radii in H36/H38 and consider interstage annealing at 345 °C for deep draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5652-H38?
5652-H38 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5652-H38?
Yes — 5652-H38 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 — Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — chemical composition and mechanical properties of sheet — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization — FAA/Battelle (2023)
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.