5052 Aluminum Tubes — Round, Square & Rectangular, Marine Grade (AA 5052 / AlMg2.5)
HXM Aluminum supplies 5052 aluminum tubes in round (OD 6–300 mm), square and rectangular cross-sections, with wall thickness 0.5–10 mm and lengths up to 6 m (or custom). OD tolerance down to ±0.1 mm, straightness ≤ 1 mm/m, tempers O, H32, H34, H112, H116 per ASTM B221 / EN 755-2, with EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates. The 2.5% magnesium content gives 5052 tube the best corrosion resistance in seawater of the common tube alloys, so it is the standard choice for marine railings, boat masts, heat exchanger tubing, hydraulic lines and structural handrails. We also offer CNC mandrel bending and TIG/MIG welding support. MOQ: 1 ton. Get your tube quote in 24h →
5052 Aluminum Tube Product Specifications
| Product | 5052 aluminum tube (seamless & welded drawn, extruded) |
| Alloy designation | AA 5052 / EN AW-5052 / AlMg2.5 / DIN 3.3523 / GB 5052 |
| Round tube OD | 6 – 300 mm (common: 10, 12, 16, 20, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63, 76, 89, 100, 120, 150 mm) |
| Wall thickness | 0.5 – 10 mm (common: 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 mm) |
| Square / rectangular | 10×10 – 150×150 mm (square); 20×10 – 200×100 mm (rectangular) |
| Length | 1,000 – 6,000 mm standard; cut-to-length or random lengths |
| OD tolerance | ±0.1 – 0.5 mm by OD (see tolerance table) |
| Wall tolerance | ±10% of nominal wall (ASTM B221) |
| Straightness | ≤ 1 mm per 1 m length (machined & straightened) |
| Available tempers | O, H32, H34, H112, H116 / H321 (marine) |
| Standards | ASTM B221, EN 755-2, EN 573-3, GB/T 4437.1, JIS H4080 |
| Density | 2.68 g/cm³ |
| MOQ / Lead time | 1 ton per size / 7–20 days |
| Certification | ISO 9001, EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate, SGS/BV inspection |
Tell us the tube cross-section, OD/width, wall, length and temper — we confirm capability and price within 24 hours:
OD & Wall Thickness Tolerances — ASTM B221
| Round Tube OD (mm) | OD Tolerance (mm) | Wall Tolerance | Straightness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 – 25 | ±0.10 | ±10% of nominal wall | ≤ 1 mm / 1 m |
| 25 – 50 | ±0.15 | ||
| 50 – 100 | ±0.20 | ||
| 100 – 150 | ±0.30 | ||
| 150 – 300 | ±0.50 |
| Square / Rectangular (mm) | Width Tolerance (mm) | Corner Radius |
|---|---|---|
| 10×10 – 40×40 | ±0.20 | 1.0 – 2.0× wall |
| 40×40 – 100×100 | ±0.30 | 1.0 – 2.0× wall |
| 100×100 – 150×150 | ±0.50 | 1.5 – 2.5× wall |
Tighter tolerances are available on drawn seamless tube for precision applications such as hydraulic cylinders and pneumatic lines — confirm with our engineers before ordering: talk to an engineer.
Mechanical Properties of 5052 Aluminum Tube (ASTM B221)
| Temper | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O (annealed) | 170 – 230 | ≥ 70 | ≥ 20 | Deep forming, severe bending |
| H32 | 210 – 248 | 155 – 195 | ≥ 12 | Marine railings, structural tubes |
| H34 | 230 – 262 | 175 – 220 | ≥ 10 | Masts, frames, higher strength |
| H112 | 170 – 230 | ≥ 110 | ≥ 10 | Extruded structural tube, as-extruded |
All values are minimum guaranteed properties per ASTM B221 on longitudinal specimens. For marine structural use H116/H321 offers controlled fatigue and corrosion performance — ask about H116 availability.
Chemical Composition (Weight %) — AA 5052
| Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Cr | Zn | Others each | Al |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 0.25 | ≤ 0.40 | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.10 | 2.2 – 2.8 | 0.15 – 0.35 | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.05 | Balance |
The 2.2–2.8% magnesium (with no zinc) gives 5052 its excellent resistance to saltwater attack, making it the preferred tube alloy for coastal and offshore structures.
Physical Properties of 5052 Aluminum
| Density | 2.68 g/cm³ (0.097 lb/in³) |
| Elastic modulus | 70.3 GPa (10.2 × 10&sup6; psi) |
| Melting range | 607 – 649 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 138 W/m·K (at 25 °C) |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion | 23.8 µm/m·°C (20–100 °C) |
| Electrical resistivity | 4.99 × 10&supmin;&sup6; Ω·cm |
| Modulus of rigidity | 25.9 GPa |
Which Temper Should You Choose for 5052 Tube?
| Your Application | Recommended Temper | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy bending / roll forming / deep drawing | O | Maximum formability, elongation ≥ 20% |
| Marine railing, handrails, boat frames | H32 | Good strength + seawater corrosion resistance + weldable |
| Masts, flagpoles, load-bearing frames | H34 | Higher yield for stiffness-critical structures |
| Extruded sections, welded assemblies | H112 | As-extruded, economical, weldable |
| Offshore / ship structural applications | H116 / H321 | Marine-grade tempers with verified corrosion performance |
If you are not sure which temper fits your forming process, send us the drawing — our engineers will recommend the temper and confirm the bend radius: get engineering support.
Bending & Forming Data for 5052 Tube
5052 is one of the most formable 5xxx alloys, but tube bending needs the right set-up to avoid ovality and wrinkling. HXM recommends the following for 5052 round tube:
| Temper | Minimum Bend Radius (centerline) | Recommended Method |
|---|---|---|
| O | 1.5 × OD | Rotary draw / mandrel bending |
| H32 | 2.0 × OD | Mandrel bending with wiper die |
| H34 | 2.5 × OD | Mandrel + ball mandrel (thin wall) |
- Mandrel bending of 5052 tube (OD ≤ 100 mm) is available at our partner workshops — send the bending drawing and we quote bending + tube together.
- For square tube, add 0.5× width to the minimum radius and use a square mandrel.
- Springback on 5052-H32 is typically 2–5°; O temper springback is negligible.
Welding 5052 Aluminum Tube — Filler & Technique
5052 tube welds easily with both TIG (GTAW) and MIG (GMAW). The magnesium content is moderate, so weld cracking tendency is low, but correct filler selection is essential:
| Process | Recommended Filler | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TIG (GTAW) | ER5356 (or ER5183) | Best color match & strength; AC current, argon shield |
| MIG (GMAW) | ER5356 | Spray transfer for ≥ 3 mm wall; pulse for thin wall |
| Structural / marine | ER5356 / ER5183 | Matches 5052 strength; use for H32/H34 service |
- Pre-clean tube ends with acetone; remove oxide layer within 2 hours before welding.
- Preheat not required below 5 mm wall; above 10 mm, preheat to 100–150 °C.
- H32 and H34 lose some strength in the weld zone (to annealed level) — design joints accordingly.
- Full guidance in our aluminum welding guide.
Key Applications of 5052 Aluminum Tube
Marine & Boat Building
Railings, masts, booms, bimini frames, boat structures — seawater corrosion resistance
Heat Exchangers
Condenser and evaporator tubing, radiator cores, air coolers
Hydraulic & Pneumatic Lines
Precision-drawn tube for fluid transfer with tight OD control
Bicycle & E-Bike Frames
Light, fatigue-resistant round and oval tube for frames and racks
Architectural Railings
Handrails, balustrades, stair rails, curtain wall mullions
Scaffolding & Ladders
Structural tube for access equipment with high strength-to-weight
5052 Tube vs Pipe vs Bar — Which Do You Need?
| Criteria | 5052 Tube | 5052 Pipe | 5052 Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-section | Round, square, rectangular | Round only (pressure-rated) | Round, square, flat, hex |
| Typical OD / size | 6 – 300 mm | 1/8″ – 12″ NPS | Φ6 – 500 mm |
| Wall definition | By wall thickness (mm) | By schedule (Sch 40/80) | Solid — no wall |
| Common spec | ASTM B221 | ASTM B241 | ASTM B221 / B211 |
| Typical use | Structures, railings, frames | Fluid / gas pressure lines | Machined parts, structural solid |
Not sure whether you need tube or bar? See our 5052 aluminum bars page, or send us your drawing and we will specify the right product form.
Buying 5052 Aluminum Tubes from HXM — What to Expect
| MOQ | 1 ton per size (mixed sizes welcome in one container) |
| Sample policy | Samples available for tube ≤ 1 m; freight collected |
| Lead time | Stock sizes: 3–7 days · Mill production: 15–20 days |
| Trade terms | FOB, CIF, CFR, DDP, EXW — we quote all incoterms |
| Payment | T/T (30% deposit), L/C at sight, D/P for repeat customers |
| Documents | Commercial invoice, packing list, MTC (EN 10204 3.1), CO, fumigation cert |
| Packaging | End-capped bundles, kraft paper + plastic wrap, wooden pallets/crates |
Related 5052 Products & Resources
5052 Aluminum Tube FAQ
What sizes of 5052 aluminum tube do you supply?
We supply round tubes from 6 mm to 300 mm OD with wall thickness 0.5-10 mm, and square/rectangular tubes from 10×10 mm up to 150×150 mm. Standard lengths are 1,000-6,000 mm but we cut to your exact length at no extra cost. Tell us your OD, wall, length and quantity and we confirm availability within 24 hours.
What is the difference between 5052 and 6061 tube?
5052 has roughly double the corrosion resistance of 6061 in seawater and better formability, so it is preferred for marine railings, boat structures and heat exchangers. 6061 has higher strength (especially after T6 heat treatment) and is preferred for load-bearing frames and machined components. If your application is exposed to salt water, choose 5052; if it is strength-critical in a dry environment, 6061.
Is 5052 tube suitable for welding?
Yes, 5052 tube welds very well with TIG or MIG using ER5356 or ER5183 filler. The alloy does not require preheating below 5 mm wall. Keep in mind that welded joints in H32/H34 tube revert to annealed strength in the heat-affected zone, so design the joint thickness accordingly. We can also supply welding-grade tube with pre-cleaned surfaces on request.
Can you bend 5052 aluminum tube?
Yes. We coordinate CNC mandrel bending through our partner workshops for round tube up to 100 mm OD. Minimum centerline bend radius is 1.5x OD for O temper and 2.0x OD for H32. Send us the bending drawing and we quote bending and tube together with a single delivery schedule.
What is the density of 5052 aluminum?
The density of 5052 aluminum is 2.68 g/cm3 (0.097 lb/in3). This is used to calculate tube weight: for round tube, weight per meter (kg) = 0.00842 x (OD – wall) x wall, where OD and wall are in mm.
Do you provide mill test certificates?
Yes. Every shipment includes an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate showing chemical composition and mechanical properties for the exact heat supplied. We also arrange SGS or BV third-party inspection if your contract requires it.
What is the MOQ for 5052 tube?
The standard MOQ is 1 ton per size. For container orders you can mix different sizes, tempers and even other 5052 product forms (sheet, coil, strip, bar) in a single 20-ft or 40-ft container to reach the MOQ faster. Samples up to 1 m length are available with freight collected.
How long does delivery take?
For stock sizes, we ship within 3-7 days. For mill production orders, lead time is 15-20 days after deposit confirmation. We will confirm the exact lead time for your sizes and quantity when you send the inquiry.
Is H116 temper available for marine applications?
Yes, we supply 5052 tube in H116/H321 marine tempers for offshore and ship structural applications. H116 offers verified resistance to exfoliation and stress corrosion. Marine-grade tempers require a longer production lead time, so please plan 2-3 weeks for these orders.
Can you supply tube in custom lengths for my project?
Absolutely. We cut 5052 tube to any length from 100 mm to 6,000 mm with tolerance +/-2 mm, deburred and end-capped. For production quantities we also offer coil-fed tube cutting lines for high-volume, consistent length parts.
What payment and trade terms do you accept?
We quote FOB, CIF, CFR, DDP and EXW. Payment is by T/T (30% deposit, 70% against BL copy), L/C at sight, or D/P for qualified repeat customers. For first orders we can also arrange a third-party escrow or trade assurance if you prefer.
How is 5052 tube packaged for export?
Tubes are bundled by size, end-capped, wrapped in moisture-proof kraft paper and plastic film, then strapped on wooden pallets or in wooden crates for container shipping. Anti-rust paper is included. Packaging complies with ISPM-15 for fumigation-free export.
Need 5052 aluminum tubes for your next project? Get a quote within 24 hours.
