How to Differentiate Between Aluminum 6061 and Aluminum 5052

How to Differentiate Between Aluminum 6061 and Aluminum 5052

How can you distinguish between Aluminum 5052 and Aluminum 6061? What are the differences between them? Which one is harder? Which one is more resistant to corrosion? These are common questions raised by consumers.

To answer these questions, let’s take a closer look at these two types of aluminum in the article below.

There are two main methods to differentiate and identify Aluminum 5052 and Aluminum 6061: using specialized material analysis equipment and through experimental methods.

Method 1: Chemical, Physical, and Mechanical Property Analysis

With this method, the two types of aluminum can be distinguished based on:

• Chemical composition

• Physical properties

• Mechanical properties

Method 2: Practical/Experimental Identification

With this approach, the differences can be identified through:

• Hardness: Aluminum 6061 has an average hardness of 95HB, while Aluminum 5052 has a hardness of 61HB. Therefore, 5052 is softer than 6061. If you knock the two pieces together, the one that deforms more is Aluminum 5052, while the harder one is 6061.

• Color: Aluminum 6061 tends to have a darker shade compared to Aluminum 5052.

We hope that the information shared above helps you clearly differentiate between these two types of aluminum during use.