Alloy 52 (UNS N14052, iron-nickel glass-sealing alloy) Alloy 52

Iron-nickel alloy, nominal nickel 50.5 % with iron balance, per Ulbrich (other sources print 52 % nickel

Also known as UNS N14052, EN 2.4478, DIN 17745, ASTM F30

Alloy 52 is an iron-nickel alloy, UNS N14052 and ASTM F30, developed for glass-to-metal seals.

10 sources · Updated 2026-11-01 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

Recipe, share of the weight

  • Ni 50.5%Nickel
  • Fe not statedIron
  • Mn not statedManganese
  • Si not statedSilicon

Best for

Matching the expansion of soft glass and some ceramics in glass-to-metal seals, such as magnetic reed switch housings

Weakest at

Corrosion and oxidation performance: no test data were found, and the Ulbrich datasheet only refers readers to NACE

Risk at a glance

  • People Low. Nickel classified; alloy not tested
  • If it fails Low. Loss of magnetic attraction when heated past the Curie temperature
  • Corrosion No data. No corrosion data recorded

Quick facts: Alloy 52

Key properties of Alloy 52
PropertyValueBasis
Density8.3 g/cm³1 sourced value
Yield strength240 MPa1 sourced value
Tensile strength536 to 540 MPa2 sourced values across conditions
Thermal conductivity14 W/(m·K)1 sourced value
Thermal expansion (CTE)9.8 to 10.3 ppm/K4 sourced values across conditions
Melting point1,425 to 1,430 °C2 sourced values across conditions
Electrical resistivity4.3e-7 Ω·m3 sourced values across conditions

What is the density of Alloy 52?

Alloy 52 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the thermal conductivity of Alloy 52?

Alloy 52 has a thermal conductivity of 14 W/(m·K). The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Alloy 52?

Alloy 52 has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 9.8 to 10.3 ppm/K. The range covers 4 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the melting point of Alloy 52?

Alloy 52 has a melting point of 1,425 to 1,430 °C. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the yield strength of Alloy 52?

Alloy 52 has a yield strength of 240 MPa. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What are the other names and codes for Alloy 52?

Alloy 52 is also written as UNS N14052, EN 2.4478, DIN 17745, ASTM F30. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.

What is Alloy 52 used for?

Uses recorded in the sources include Magnetic reed switches; Glass-to-metal seals that need controlled linear expansion; Seal to Elan 13 glass and stainless steel housing.

Why it exists

Alloy 52 is an iron-nickel alloy designed to seal to glass. Ulbrich says it was developed for glass-to-metal seals for some soft glasses and ceramics, and that its rate of thermal expansion is virtually constant to a temperature of about 1050°F (565°C). Its mean thermal expansion is 9.8 µm/m-°C over 25 to 450 °C in the Ulbrich datasheet. The nickel content is not agreed. Ulbrich and Hamilton Precision Metals print 50.5 %, while JLC Electromet and Elan Technology print 52 % (the Elan page writes "52% Nickel, Balance Iron"). The Ulbrich sheet gives the density as 8.30 g/cm3. The California Fine Wire datasheet gives another density, but its page could not be re-checked from the stored copy, so that figure is not recorded.

Where it's used

Magnetic reed switches

Ulbrich lists magnetic reed switches among the applications of Alloy 52 wire. The same list names glass-to-metal seals that need controlled linear expansion.

Glass-to-metal seals

Ulbrich says the alloy was developed for glass-to-metal seals for some soft glasses and ceramics. Elan Technology calls No. 52 alloy "an ideal candidate for Elan 13" and gives no expansion value for that glass.

Spacecraft use

No NASA, ESA or flight source for Alloy 52 was found. The uses above are terrestrial electronics and component applications.

Recipe

Iron-nickel alloy, nominal nickel 50.5 % with iron balance, per Ulbrich (other sources print 52 % nickel; see story.recipe)

Alloy 52 is a binary iron-nickel alloy. Ulbrich prints "Nickel: 50.5 nom" with "Iron: Balance" and small amounts of other elements, all as maximum limits. The sources do not describe the melting or rolling route beyond Ulbrich's note that the alloy can be cold rolled to a required temper.

What Alloy 52 is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat it does
Nickel Ni 50.5% Main alloying element, set to give the controlled thermal expansion for glass seals. Ulbrich prints "Nickel: 50.5 nom", Hamilton Precision Metals prints "Nickel 50.5%", and JLC prints "Ni: 52".
Iron Fe not stated Balance of the alloy, as printed by Ulbrich ("Iron: Balance").
Manganese Mn not stated Minor element. Ulbrich lists only a maximum limit for it, with no nominal value.
Silicon Si not stated Minor element. Ulbrich lists only a maximum limit for it, with no nominal value.

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Seal to soft glass

Ulbrich describes the alloy as developed for glass-to-metal seals for some soft glasses and ceramics.

Hold a steady expansion

Ulbrich says the rate of thermal expansion is virtually constant up to a temperature of about 1050°F (565°C).

Carry a magnetic function

Hamilton Precision Metals lists a Curie temperature of 510°C approx and magnetic attraction as yes.

Come in many forms

Ulbrich lists shaped, flat, square, round and fine wire, plated or bare.

How it compares

Alloy 52 is chosen for matching expansion to glass, not for conductivity or strength. Its thermal conductivity is printed in the sources at widely different values (14.0 W/m·K in one datasheet and 140 W/m·K in another), so no ranking against copper or aluminium is made here. The table compares density, melting point and expansion with other profiles on the site only in the same units and conditions.

The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details.

Benchmarks
MeasurementAlloy 52
Thermal behavior and safety
Melting point, Alloy 52 wire (Ulbrich)Value printed in a wire supplier datasheet1430 °C
Melting point, approximate (Hamilton Precision Metals)1425 °C2
Thermal conductivity at room temperature (Hamilton Precision Metals)Value printed on a metals supplier product page14 W/m·K8
Thermal conductivity, 20 to 100 °C (Ulbrich, metric column)Value printed in a wire supplier datasheet140 W/m·K9
Thermal conductivity, 20 to 100 °C (Ulbrich, imperial column)Value printed in a wire supplier datasheet97 BTU-in/hr-ft2-°F10
Physical and electrical
Density, Alloy 52 wire (Ulbrich)8.3 g/cm³1
Electrical resistivity at 20 °C (Ulbrich)Value printed in a wire supplier datasheet43 microhm-cm
Electrical resistivity at room temperature (Hamilton Precision Metals)Value printed in a metals supplier product page43 Microhm·cm
Electrical resistivity at 20 °C (JLC Electromet)43 µΩ-cm7
Hardness, annealed typical (Ulbrich)73 Rb17
Temperature behavior
Curie temperature510 °C11
Other measurements
Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 25 to 450 °C (Ulbrich)Mean value printed in a wire supplier datasheet9.8 µm/m-°C3
Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 100 °C, annealed (JLC Electromet)10.3 µm/m-°C4
Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 400 °C, annealed (JLC Electromet)10.1 µm/m-°C5
Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 500 °C, annealed (JLC Electromet)9.9 µm/m-°C6
Ultimate tensile strength, annealed typical (Ulbrich)536 MPa12
Tensile strength, nominal (JLC Electromet)540 N/mm213
Yield strength, annealed typical (Ulbrich)240 MPa14
Elongation, annealed typical (Ulbrich)30 %15
Elongation (JLC Electromet)30 %16

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

  • Glass-to-metal seals: Ulbrich says the alloy was developed for soft glass and ceramic seals.
  • Magnetic reed switches: Ulbrich lists this as an application.

Watch out for

  • Conflicting figures: nickel is 50.5 nom in Ulbrich but 52 in JLC Electromet, and thermal conductivity differs by a factor of ten between sources.
  • No corrosion, oxidation or ageing data were found. Ulbrich refers readers to NACE only.
  • No flight or space test result was found for this alloy.

Alloy 52 is a glass-matching iron-nickel alloy with a documented expansion curve and a few terrestrial uses. Corrosion behaviour is unverified, and the sources disagree on nickel content and conductivity, so the figures need checking before design use.

Technical details

For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.

Other names and standards

The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.

Other names and standards
SystemCodes
UNSN14052
EN2.4478
DIN17745 (standard number printed under the norms for this product)
ASTMF30

Notes

The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1Density, Alloy 52 wire (Ulbrich)Typical value printed in a wire supplier datasheet (copyright January 2014, revision 6.1.2015)form wire (Ulbrich offers shaped, flat, square, round and fine wire)temperature not statednote in source all data are considered typical values only—
2Melting point, approximate (Hamilton Precision Metals)Approximate value printed on a metals supplier product pagepressure not statedqualifier printed as approximateDiffers from the Ulbrich value of 1430°C. The page prints the value as approximate.
3Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 25 to 450 °C (Ulbrich)—temperature range 25 to 450 °C (printed as 77-842°F (25-450°C))temper not statedunit in source 5.4 µin/in-°FThe sheet says the rate is virtually constant up to about 565 °C (printed as 1050°F (565°C)). The imperial value 5.4 is the same quantity in µin/in-°F.
4Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 100 °C, annealed (JLC Electromet)Mean value printed in a metals supplier datasheettemperature range 20 to 100 °Ctemper annealed—
5Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 400 °C, annealed (JLC Electromet)Mean value printed in a metals supplier datasheettemperature range 20 to 400 °Ctemper annealed—
6Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 500 °C, annealed (JLC Electromet)Mean value printed in a metals supplier datasheettemperature range 20 to 500 °Ctemper annealed—
7Electrical resistivity at 20 °C (JLC Electromet)Nominal value printed in a metals supplier datasheettemperature 20 °C—
8Thermal conductivity at room temperature (Hamilton Precision Metals)—temperature room temperature (R.T., as printed)Conflicts with 140 W/m·K printed by Ulbrich for the metric column. This value agrees with the Ulbrich imperial figure of 97 BTU-in/hr-ft2-°F, which converts to about this magnitude. The record does not resolve the conflict.
9Thermal conductivity, 20 to 100 °C (Ulbrich, metric column)—temperature range 68-212°F (20-100°C)Conflicts with 14.0 W/m·K from Hamilton Precision Metals. It is the metric column of the same row that prints 97 BTU-in/hr-ft2-°F, so it may be a misprint; this record keeps both as printed.
10Thermal conductivity, 20 to 100 °C (Ulbrich, imperial column)—temperature range 68-212°F (20-100°C)Printed beside the metric value of 140 W/m·K in the same row.
11Curie temperatureApproximate value printed on a metals supplier product pagequalifier printed as approximate—
12Ultimate tensile strength, annealed typical (Ulbrich)Nominal typical value printed in a wire supplier datasheettemper annealed (typical, nominal)unit in source 78 KSI nom—
13Tensile strength, nominal (JLC Electromet)Nominal value printed in a metals supplier datasheettemper not statedtemperature room temperature (as printed)Differs from the Ulbrich annealed typical value of 536 MPa; the JLC page does not state the temper.
14Yield strength, annealed typical (Ulbrich)Nominal typical value printed in a wire supplier datasheettemper annealed (typical, nominal)unit in source 35 KSI nom—
15Elongation, annealed typical (Ulbrich)Nominal typical value printed in a wire supplier datasheettemper annealed (typical, nominal)gauge length not stated—
16Elongation (JLC Electromet)Nominal value printed in a metals supplier datasheetgauge length 100 mm (L0=100 mm as printed)temperature room temperature (as printed)—
17Hardness, annealed typical (Ulbrich)Nominal typical value printed in a wire supplier datasheettemper annealed (typical, nominal)scale Rb as printed—

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat happens
Not stated in the sources read not rated No corrosion or oxidation test result was found for Alloy 52 in the sources we read.1
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest conditions
1 Not stated in the sources read The Ulbrich datasheet's corrosion entry says only to refer to NACE for recommendations. No environment, exposure time or rate is given, so no corrosion rating is recorded. basis datasheet entry only; no testexposure not stated

Risks and side effects

Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.

For people

No safety data sheet for Alloy 52 was found. The hazard classifications available are for nickel, a main constituent.

Nickel in the alloy
PubChem's aggregated classification for nickel gives the signal word Danger and includes H317 and H372, among other statements. These describe nickel as a substance, not the alloy.
Wire and powder
Ulbrich offers wire in several forms, including fine wire. Fine wire and dust from machining should be handled as nickel-containing material, since no alloy-specific data were found.

If it fails

The sources give little on failure. The one failure route recorded is a magnetic one.

Heating past the Curie temperature
Hamilton Precision Metals gives a Curie temperature of 510°C approx and lists magnetic attraction as yes. Above that temperature the alloy loses its magnetic attraction, and the source gives no consequence data for reed switches.
Corrosion
Ulbrich's corrosion entry refers readers to NACE and gives no data. Service in corrosive environments is therefore unverified.

Handling and storage

Temper
Ulbrich says Alloy 52 can be cold rolled to produce the temper a customer requires, and that it cannot be hardened by heat treatment.
Welding
Ulbrich refers readers to the SSINA guide on welding stainless steels and other joining methods.

Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.

Failure risks

Failure risks
FailureTrigger and consequence
Loss of magnetic attraction when heated past the Curie temperaturelow severityHeating above about 510 °CThe Hamilton Precision Metals page gives a Curie temperature of 510°C approx and lists magnetic attraction as yes. The source gives no consequence data for seals or reed switches.

Handling and storage

  • Ulbrich states that Alloy 52 is non hardenable by heat treatment.
  • Ulbrich refers readers to the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) guide, Welding of Stainless Steels and Other Joining Methods, for welding.
  • Ulbrich states that all data in its document are typical values only and not recommended for specification, design or engineering purposes.

Supply and geography

How common the raw materials are and where they come from.

Nickel

Top producers (2025)
Indonesia 66.7%, Philippines 6.9%, Russia 5.1%
Critical mineral lists
US: listed
Recycling
USGS: nickel recovered from scrap accounted for approximately 60% of apparent consumption in 2025. Most secondary nickel was in the form of nickel content of stainless-steel scrap.
Substitutes
USGS: low-nickel, duplex or ultrahigh-chromium stainless steels have been substituted for austenitic grades in construction; titanium alloys can substitute for nickel or nickel-base alloys in corrosive environments.

Iron

Top producers (2025)
Australia 37.7%, Brazil 16.2%, India 11.9%
Critical mineral lists
US: not listed
Recycling
Not found in the iron ore chapter read for this profile; iron and steel scrap is covered in a separate USGS chapter that was not opened.

Updated