Guides/Comparisons
5052 vs 6061 aluminium
5052-vs-6061-aluminiumAluminium alloy 5052 and Aluminium alloy 6061 at a glance
This page compares Aluminium alloy 5052 and Aluminium alloy 6061 using only values that carry a source, a test condition and an evidence level. Ranges run across temper, heat treatment and product form, measured at room temperature where the source says so.
- Composition: Magnesium (5052 2.2 to 2.8%; 6061 0.8 to 1.2%), Chromium (5052 0.15 to 0.35%; 6061 0.04 to 0.35%), Silicon (5052 up to 0.25%; 6061 0.4 to 0.8%), Copper (5052 up to 0.10%; 6061 0.15 to 0.4%).
- Yield strength: 6061 is higher (5052 89.6 to 255 MPa; 6061 276 MPa), about 1.6 times the midpoint of 5052.
- Tensile strength: 6061 is higher (5052 193 to 290 MPa; 6061 310 MPa), about 1.3 times the midpoint of 5052.
- Density: 6061 is higher (5052 2.68 g/cm³; 6061 2.7 g/cm³), a difference of under 10% at the midpoint.
- Young's modulus: 5052 is higher (5052 70.3 GPa; 6061 68.9 GPa), a difference of under 10% at the midpoint.
- Thermal conductivity: 6061 is higher (5052 138 W/(m·K); 6061 167 W/(m·K)), about 1.2 times the midpoint of 5052.
- Thermal expansion: 5052 is higher (5052 24.8 ppm/K; 6061 23.6 ppm/K), a difference of under 10% at the midpoint.
- Yield strength for each unit of density (calculated from each grade's midpoint values): Aluminium alloy 5052 64.3 MPa per g/cm³; Aluminium alloy 6061 102 MPa per g/cm³.
"Higher" means the whole range is higher, not just one value. Where a value is a specified minimum, the table says "at least".
Side by side
| Property | Aluminium alloy 5052 | Aluminium alloy 6061 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield strength | 89.6 to 255 MPa | 276 MPa |
| Tensile strength | 193 to 290 MPa | 310 MPa |
| Density | 2.68 g/cm³ | 2.7 g/cm³ |
| Young's modulus | 70.3 GPa | 68.9 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity | 138 W/(m·K) | 167 W/(m·K) |
| Melting point | 607 to 649 °C | no data |
| Thermal expansion | 24.8 ppm/K | 23.6 ppm/K |
| Yield strength per densitycalculated | 64.3 MPa per g/cm³ | 102 MPa per g/cm³ |
Composition
| Element | Aluminium alloy 5052 | Aluminium alloy 6061 |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | balance | balance |
| Magnesium | 2.2 to 2.8% | 0.8 to 1.2% |
| Chromium | 0.15 to 0.35% | 0.04 to 0.35% |
| Silicon | up to 0.25% | 0.4 to 0.8% |
| Iron | up to 0.40% | not listed |
| Copper | up to 0.10% | 0.15 to 0.4% |
| Manganese | up to 0.10% | not listed |
| Zinc | up to 0.10% | not listed |
Shares are as printed in the sources, by weight.
When to use which
| Material | Best for | Weakest at |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium alloy 5052 | Welded sheet and tank or marine-style parts at medium strength, where the temper is named and checked (the datasheets rate its seawater resistance very good) | Strength depends on temper (yield 13 ksi annealed to 37 ksi in H38), and no measured seawater corrosion rate was found in the sources read |
| Aluminium alloy 6061 | A light, workable structural metal with good corrosion resistance (the NASA handbook ranks 6061 best of the heat-treatable aluminium alloys for corrosion) | Galvanic attack when coupled to more noble metals, especially in sea water (NASA handbook); typical strength values are marked not for design |
Where each is used
| Material | Use |
|---|---|
| Aluminium alloy 5052 | Honeycomb core of composite sandwich panels for lightweight structures |
| Aluminium alloy 5052 | Spacecraft structural materials list, next to 6061-T6, 6061-T651 and 7075 |
| Aluminium alloy 5052 | Aircraft fuel and oil lines, and fuel tanks |
| Aluminium alloy 5052 | Marine components, containers and pressure vessels |
| Aluminium alloy 6061 | Launch vehicle and spacecraft structures (aluminium alloys, 6061 named as a structural alloy) |
| Aluminium alloy 6061 | Simulated propellant tanks of 6061-T3 sheet (ground impact tests, not flown) |
| Aluminium alloy 6061 | Fittings, couplings, hinge pins, valves and valve parts, and hydraulic and brake pistons |