Steel is one of the most common and frequently used metals, in industry today. It has so many uses and provides an enormous amount of benefits. However, steel is not perfect, and if you need metal with special properties, you may wish to consider an alloy called 5052 aluminum sheet metal. Here is more about this material and some of the benefits it can give your business.
Most Aluminum Materials are Alloys
Aluminum is a great material because it’s not subject to rust like steel. Not only that, it’s much lighter than steel and this is a huge advantage in the space, airline, and automotive industries. Lighter materials provide greater fuel efficiency and make it easier on many structures. However, pure aluminum is too soft for many commercial uses, and that’s why it’s often mixed with other metals to create an aluminum alloy. By choosing different alloy metals, a large variety of properties can be produced.
5052 Aluminum Sheet Metal
To make 5052, the main ingredients used are chromium and magnesium. It also contains small amounts of copper, iron, zinc, and other metals. This provides a tough and durable metal that is highly resistant to corrosion, especially from saltwater. That makes it one of the most preferred materials for underwater tanks and things that have a high failure rate when exposed to saltwater for a long period of time.
Welding 5052 Aluminum Sheet Metal
Some alloys are not easily welded. For example, 2024 and 7075 are common alloys but welding them is extremely difficult. 5052 is often welded with excellent results. It can also be brazed.
Shaping 5052
It’s not difficult to work with 5052 alloy. In fact, it can be worked or extruded into a wide range of shapes. It may be used for wire, rivets, and applications that require a great deal of strength, in addition to consumer electronic products.
