Intent: Sheet metal bending radii and marine salt-spray endurance vs CNC machining rigidity and structural strength.
Engineering Verdict & When to Choose Each
5052 or 6061: design around the forming route
By Mat Grades Editorial Desk · Updated 2026-11-14
Shortlist 5052 for a formed sheet component when the supplied temper and bend geometry are appropriate. Shortlist 6061 for a machined or structural route where its qualified condition addresses the requirement. A direct comparison of the largest tensile values misses the different manufacturing assumptions.
For a cover or enclosure, ask the shop to review bend radius, grain direction, springback and the sequence of bends. A stronger stock condition that cracks at the required shape is not an upgrade. For a machined mounting plate, compare rigidity, material removal and inspection after unclamping rather than using sheet-forming advice as the main decision.
A welded assembly needs its final condition assessed. Surface treatment, drainage and contact with other metals should be reviewed for either alloy. Quote the same finished requirement, including forming or machining, welding, finish and inspection. The material price difference becomes meaningful only after those operations are included.
5052 Aluminum: evidence to check
5052 Aluminum has 31 cataloged property rows. Modulus of Elasticity is reported as 70 GPa (typical; further condition not stated). Electrical Conductivity is reported as 35 % IACS (typical; further condition not stated). The record identifies ASTM B210 for Drawn Tube; check its scope and ordered edition. These are source-scoped examples rather than unrestricted design allowables. Read the full row context and certificate before using a value for acceptance; an absent value is not zero or a performance failure.
6061 Aluminum: evidence to check
6061 Aluminum has 35 cataloged property rows. Modulus of Elasticity is reported as 69 GPa (typical; further condition not stated). Electrical Conductivity is reported as 47 % IACS (typical; O Temper). The record identifies ASTM B209 for Sheet & Plate; check its scope and ordered edition. These are source-scoped examples rather than unrestricted design allowables. Read the full row context and certificate before using a value for acceptance; an absent value is not zero or a performance failure.
Four questions before approval
- Is the starting product sheet, plate, bar or extrusion?
- Does the bend trial use the actual supplied temper?
- Are final weld-region properties part of the review?
- Are finish, drainage and fastener contacts addressed?
Check the linked material records for the complete source trail. Read the methodology before comparing minimum requirements with typical measurements. No direct substitution or qualified fabrication procedure is implied.
Material Comparison
Compare verified engineering materials side by side with condition-specific mechanical properties.
| Parameter | 5052 Aluminum | 6061 Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Material Family | Aluminum & Aluminum Alloys | Aluminum & Aluminum Alloys |
| Subfamily | Wrought Aluminum Alloys | Wrought Aluminum Alloys |
| AA Designation | 5052 | 6061 |
| UNS Designation | A95052 | A96061 |
| ISO Designation | AlMg2.5 | AlMg1SiCu |
| Element | 5052 Aluminum | 6061 Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Si (Silicon) | ≤ 0.25% | 0.4 – 0.8% |
| Fe (Iron) | ≤ 0.4% | ≤ 0.7% |
| Cu (Copper) | ≤ 0.1% | 0.15 – 0.4% |
| Mn (Manganese) | ≤ 0.1% | ≤ 0.15% |
| Mg (Magnesium) | 2.2 – 2.8% | 0.8 – 1.2% |
| Cr (Chromium) | 0.15 – 0.35% | 0.04 – 0.35% |
| Zn (Zinc) | ≤ 0.1% | ≤ 0.25% |
| OE (Other Elements Each) | OE: ≤ 0.05% each | OE: ≤ 0.05% each |
| OT (Other Elements Total) | ≤ 0.15% | ≤ 0.15% |
| Al (Aluminum) | — | — |
| Ti (Titanium) | — | ≤ 0.15% |
| Property | 5052 Aluminum | 6061 Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Density · TYPICALUnit: g/cm³ | 2.68 g/cm³ | 2.7 g/cm³ |
| Mechanical Parameter | 5052 AluminumO | 6061 AluminumO |
|---|---|---|
| Modulus of Elasticity · TYPICALUnit: GPa | 70 GPa | 69 GPa |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength · Drawn Tube · O Temper · TYPICALUnit: MPa | 193 MPa | — MPa |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength · Cold Finished Rod & Bar · O Temper · TYPICALUnit: MPa | — MPa | 124 MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset) · Drawn Tube · O Temper · TYPICALUnit: MPa | 90 MPa | — MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset) · Cold Finished Rod & Bar · O Temper · TYPICALUnit: MPa | — MPa | 55 MPa |
| Elongation (4D) · Drawn Tube · O Temper · TYPICALUnit: % | 25 % | — % |
| Elongation (4D) · Cold Finished Rod & Bar · O Temper · TYPICALUnit: % | — % | 25 % |
| Shear Strength · Drawn Tube · O Temper · TYPICALUnit: MPa | 124 MPa | — MPa |
| Shear Strength · Cold Finished Rod & Bar · O Temper · TYPICALUnit: MPa | — MPa | 83 MPa |
| Fatigue Endurance Limit (5x10^8 cycles) · Drawn Tube · O Temper · TYPICALUnit: MPa | 110 MPa | — MPa |
| Fatigue Endurance Limit (5x10^8 cycles) · Cold Finished Rod & Bar · O Temper · TYPICALUnit: MPa | — MPa | 62 MPa |
| Property | 5052 Aluminum | 6061 Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Conductivity · TYPICALCategory: ELECTRICAL • Unit: % IACS | 35 % IACS | 47 % IACS |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion · TYPICALCategory: THERMAL • Unit: µm/(m·K) | 23.8 µm/(m·K) | 23.6 µm/(m·K) |
| Solidus Temperature · TYPICALCategory: THERMAL • Unit: °C | 607 °C | 582 °C |
| Liquidus Temperature · TYPICALCategory: THERMAL • Unit: °C | 649 °C | 652 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity · TYPICALCategory: THERMAL • Unit: W/(m·K) | 138 W/(m·K) | 180 W/(m·K) |
| Hardness Scale | 5052 Aluminum | 6061 Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| HB Hardness · Drawn Tube · O Temper · TYPICAL | 47 HB | — |
| HB Hardness · Cold Finished Rod & Bar · O Temper · TYPICAL | — | 30 HB |