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Sheet metal in Aluminum 5052-H32
Aluminum 5052-H32 is one of the most economical choices for sheet metal: bends to an inside radius of about 1× thickness or less in gauges up to 0.125 in (3.2 mm). On a representative bracket at 100 pieces it estimates at about $3.68 per part, with a lead time of 5–12 days. Typical tolerance is ±0.004–0.005 in (±0.10–0.13 mm) laser or punch.
- Per part
- $3.68
- Tooling
- None
- Lead time
- 5–12 days
Price it in 5052-H32
Bracket · Sheet metal
Order total $488
- Tooling
- None
- no hard tooling
- Piece price
- $3.68
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 5–12 days
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Width60.060.0 mm
Leg A (vertical)50.050.0 mm
Thickness2.002.00 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity100100 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
5052-H32 vs other sheet metal materials
The same bracket at 100 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. 6061-T6 is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 6061-T6 | $3.68 | $4.88 | 37 g | 310 MPa |
| Aluminum 5052-H32 | $3.68 | $4.88 | 37 g | 228 MPa |
| Steel 1008 cold-rolled (CRS) | $3.72 | $4.92 | 108 g | 330 MPa |
| Steel A36 (structural) | $3.72 | $4.92 | 108 g | 450 MPa |
| Stainless steel 304 | $3.80 | $5.00 | 110 g | 505 MPa |
| Stainless steel 316 | $3.80 | $5.00 | 110 g | 580 MPa |
| Stainless steel 430 | $3.80 | $5.00 | 107 g | 483 MPa |
| Copper C110 (ETP) | $4.91 | $6.11 | 123 g | 290 MPa |
5052-H32 at a glance
- Tensile strength
- 228 MPa44th pct
- Yield strength
- 193 MPa10th pct
- Density
- 2.68 g/cm³45th pct
- Max service temp
- 150 °C55th pct
- Elongation
- 12 %22th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
Strengths
- Bends to an inside radius of about 1× thickness or less in gauges up to 0.125 in (3.2 mm)
- Resists salt water and marine atmospheres better than 6061
- Welds with 5356 filler without losing temper strength the way heat-treated alloys do
- Higher fatigue strength than most aluminum sheet alloys
Watch for
- Cannot be heat-treated for more strength
- Gummy to machine; a poor choice for machined bar parts
- Anodized color can differ slightly from 6061; avoid mixing alloys in color-matched assemblies
- Mostly available as sheet and plate, not bar
Sheet metal design rules
About 1× material thickness, or the shop's standard tooling radius
Use a standard inside bend radius
Use the same inside radius on every bend
Keep one radius per part
At least 4× material thickness
Minimum flange length
At least 2.5× thickness plus the bend radius
Hole-to-bend distance
At least 1× material thickness
Minimum hole diameter
Relief width at least 1× thickness; length at least bend radius plus thickness
Add bend relief
Questions
How much does sheet metal in 5052-H32 cost?
For a representative part (l-bracket 50 mm × 70 mm legs, 60 mm wide, 2 mm thick, r2 mm bend, 4 × ø5.5 mm holes), SSG's estimator gives about $3.68 per part at 100 pieces. All-in with tooling and setup that is $4.88 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is 5052-H32 a good material for sheet metal?
It is when you need bends to an inside radius of about 1× thickness or less in gauges up to 0.125 in (3.2 mm) and resists salt water and marine atmospheres better than 6061. Watch for cannot be heat-treated for more strength. Of 8 materials run in sheet metal, it ranks 2 on all-in cost for the same part.
What finishes work on 5052-H32 sheet metal parts?
Common options are bead blasted, vibratory deburr (tumbling), anodize type ii (sulfuric), chem film (chromate conversion), powder coat, wet paint (liquid coating). The builder adds each finish's lot charge, per-part cost and days to the estimate.
What tolerance can sheet metal hold in 5052-H32?
Typical capability is ±0.004–0.005 in (±0.10–0.13 mm) laser or punch. Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote sheet metal in 5052-H32.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.