5052 aluminum foil is a non-heat-treatable 5xxx-series alloy containing 2.2 – 2.8% magnesium. It is the strongest of the common foil alloys and has excellent resistance to humid and marine atmospheres.
Its main foil application is honeycomb core: thin hard-temper 5052 foil is printed with adhesive lines, stacked, cured and expanded into hexagonal cells. The resulting core gives sandwich panels high stiffness at very low weight for rail, marine, building and aerospace use.
Table of Contents
Chemical Composition
| Element | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.2 – 2.8 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.15 – 0.35 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.40 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.25 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Others (each / total) | ≤ 0.05 / 0.15 |
| Aluminum (Al) | Remainder |
5052 Foil Specifications
| Application | Thickness (mm) | Width (mm) | Temper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honeycomb core foil | 0.02 – 0.10 | 200 – 1400 | H18, H19 |
| Soft forming foil | 0.05 – 0.20 | 200 – 1400 | O |
| High-strength lid / closure stock | 0.10 – 0.20 | 200 – 1400 | H18 |
Standard supply range. Widths are slit to order; other sizes and tempers on request.
Physical & Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.68 g/cm³ |
| Melting range | 607 – 650 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 138 W/m·K |
| Electrical conductivity | 35% IACS |
| Tensile strength, O | 170 – 215 MPa |
| Tensile strength, H38 / H18 (min) | 270 MPa |
Tensile values are ASTM B209 sheet limits. Foil values depend on thickness; see the mill test certificate.
Why 5052 for Aluminum Honeycomb
- Higher cell-wall strength: 5052 core carries more compressive and shear load than 3003 core at the same density
- Corrosion resistance: magnesium alloying suits humid, coastal and marine environments; foil can be supplied with a corrosion-resistant pre-treatment for adhesive bonding
- Typical foil gauges: 0.02 – 0.08 mm, with cell sizes from about 3 to 20 mm depending on panel requirements
- Uses: aircraft floors and interiors, rail and bus panels, yacht interiors, façade and curtain-wall panels, clean-room walls, energy-absorbing structures
5052 vs 3003 vs 8011 Foil
| Property | 5052 | 3003 | 8011 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy type | Al-Mg | Al-Mn | Al-Fe-Si |
| Strength | Highest | Medium | Medium |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent (marine) | Very good | Good |
| Honeycomb grade | Structural / aerospace | Commercial | Not typical |
5052 Foil Weight & Yield Chart
| Thickness (µm) | Thickness (mm) | Weight (g/m²) | Yield (m²/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 0.020 | 53.6 | 18.7 |
| 25 | 0.025 | 67.0 | 14.9 |
| 30 | 0.030 | 80.4 | 12.4 |
| 40 | 0.040 | 107.2 | 9.3 |
| 50 | 0.050 | 134.0 | 7.5 |
| 60 | 0.060 | 160.8 | 6.2 |
| 80 | 0.080 | 214.4 | 4.7 |
| 100 | 0.100 | 268.0 | 3.7 |
| 150 | 0.150 | 402.0 | 2.5 |
| 200 | 0.200 | 536.0 | 1.9 |
Weight (g/m²) = thickness (µm) × density (g/cm³); yield (m²/kg) = 1000 ÷ weight. Theoretical values; actual yield varies within thickness tolerance.
5052 Aluminium Foil Export Markets
We export 5052 aluminum foil (also written "aluminium foil") in jumbo and slit rolls on FOB, CFR and CIF terms. Main destinations and typical uses:
- Southeast Asia – Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong), Malaysia (Port Klang), Thailand (Laem Chabang), Indonesia (Jakarta, Surabaya), Philippines (Manila): honeycomb panel makers for building façades, marine interiors and rail vehicles.
- North America – Mexico (Manzanillo, Veracruz): transport and truck-body panels, building façade honeycomb.
- Middle East – UAE (Jebel Ali), Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Dammam), Israel (Haifa, Ashdod): curtain-wall and cladding honeycomb panels for large construction projects.
- Africa – Nigeria (Lagos), South Africa (Durban): building panels, partitions and transport interiors.
5052 Standards & Equivalent Grades
| System | Designation / Standard |
|---|---|
| AA / ASTM | 5052 |
| UNS | A95052 |
| EN | EN AW-5052 (AlMg2.5) |
| GB (China) | 5052 |
| JIS | A5052 |
| Foil product standards | ASTM B479, EN 546, GB/T 3198, JIS H4160 |
5052 Aluminum Foil Supply & Packing
- Form: Jumbo rolls for converters, or slit rolls to your width
- Core: Steel or aluminum core, ID 76 mm (3") or 152 mm (6")
- Surface: Two sides bright for single-rolled gauges; one side bright / one side matte for double-rolled thin foil
- Packing: Moisture-proof wrapping with desiccant, eye-to-sky or eye-to-wall in ISPM 15 wooden cases or on pallets
- Documents: Mill test certificate (EN 10204 3.1), certificate of origin, food-contact declaration on request
- MOQ: 3 – 5 tons per specification; trial orders negotiable
- Lead time: 20 – 30 days after order confirmation
- Terms: FOB, CFR, CIF; payment by T/T or L/C
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 5052 and 3003 honeycomb foil?
5052 honeycomb has higher compressive and shear strength and better corrosion resistance, so it is used for structural, transport and aerospace panels. 3003 honeycomb is lower cost and used for commercial building panels, doors and filters.
Which temper is used for honeycomb foil?
Hard tempers, typically H18 or H19, so the thin cell walls keep their shape after expansion.
What thickness is 5052 honeycomb foil?
Most honeycomb foil is 0.02 – 0.08 mm. Thicker foil and smaller cells give a denser, stronger core.
Is 5052 foil suitable for marine use?
Yes. 5052 resists seawater and salt-spray corrosion well, which is why it is widely used for yacht and ship interior honeycomb panels.
Related Grades
1050 / 1060 Aluminum Foil
High-purity 1xxx foil for conductive, thermal and insulation uses
1235 Aluminum Foil
The standard alloy for double-zero flexible packaging foil
3003 / 3004 Aluminum Foil
Stronger Al-Mn foil for containers, fins and honeycomb
8006 / 8011 Aluminum Foil
The workhorse alloys for household foil and food containers
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