Aluminum 5005 · temper
Aluminum 5005-H18
Properties of the H18 condition, compared with the other 5005 tempers.
Maximum cold-worked strength; flat parts only, forming is very limited.
What is 5005-H18?
5005-H18 is 5005 in the H18 temper — maximum cold-worked strength; flat parts only, forming is very limited. 5005-H18 has a yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — stronger than 50% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi). 5005-H18 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 632°C (1,170 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 52 % IACS, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 72/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
5005-H18 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5005-H18 — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5005 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5005-H18 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 632°C (1,170 °F).
Mechanical10
5005-H18 has a yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — stronger than 50% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
5005-H18 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 200 W/m·K (115.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 91% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5005-H18 conducts electricity at 52 % IACS, better than 91% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5005-H18 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
5005-H18's machinability is fair (52/100, worse than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5005 tempers and conditions
5005 is also supplied in 15 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5005 overview.
- H18Maximum cold-worked strength; flat parts only, forming is very limited.195 MPa yield · 51 HB
- H38Highest-strength stabilised 5005 temper for flat stiff sheet and stamped flat blanks.186 MPa yield · 51 HB
- H16Higher stiffness/dent resistance where only gentle forming is required.172 MPa yield · 46 HB
- H36Use when panels need extra dent resistance but still take a gentle brake bend.165 MPa yield · 46 HB
- H14General-purpose stiff sheet for panels and enclosures with moderate bending.152 MPa yield · 41 HB
- H34The default stocked temper: half-hard, stabilised, best all-round choice for anodized architectural and appliance sheet.138 MPa yield · 41 HB
- H12Light cold work: modest strength gain while keeping good bending.131 MPa yield · 36 HB
- H32Stabilised quarter-hard sheet; dimensionally stable and good for anodized formed parts.117 MPa yield · 36 HB
- F5005 in the as-fabricated F temper: no controlled thermal or strain-hardening treatment and no guaranteed mechanical limits; properties fall near the annealed/hot-worked level with excellent formability, weldability and bright anodizing response.55 MPa yield · 30 HB
- OPick for deep drawing, spinning and severe forming where strength is not needed.41 MPa yield · 28 HB
Working with 5005-H18
Is 5005 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; harder H18/H38 tempers machine cleaner.
Can 5005 be welded?
Excellent by GTAW/GMAW and resistance welding; use 5356 or 5183 filler (1100/4043 acceptable for low-stress joints) — weld zone reverts to near-O strength.
Can 5005 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O/H32/H34; allow generous bend radii above H16 and expect springback; not heat treatable, so strength comes only from cold work.
What surface finishes work on 5005?
Best-in-class bright and colour anodizing (architectural AA-M12C22A31/A41); also takes chromate/chem-film, powder coat and paint well; polishes to a uniform satin or mirror finish.
5005 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | — |
| Cu | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Mgprincipal strengthening element | 0.5 – 1.1 | 0.8 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Others (each)others total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Alremainder, ~97.5–99% | balance | — |
5005-H18 — frequently asked
What is 5005-H18 used for?
5005-H18 is typically used for architectural curtain-wall and cladding panels, decorative trim and sign faces, electrical enclosures and covers, anodized appliance and equipment panels, cooking utensils and vessels and nameplates and instrument fascias. In short: beautiful anodizing; marine grade.
What is the yield strength of 5005-H18?
5005-H18 has a typical yield strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — stronger than 50% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 16 listed tempers.
Is 5005-H18 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, worse than 62% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; harder H18/H38 tempers machine cleaner.
Can 5005-H18 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent by GTAW/GMAW and resistance welding; use 5356 or 5183 filler (1100/4043 acceptable for low-stress joints) — weld zone reverts to near-O strength.
What surface finishes work on 5005-H18?
Best-in-class bright and colour anodizing (architectural AA-M12C22A31/A41); also takes chromate/chem-film, powder coat and paint well; polishes to a uniform satin or mirror finish.
Can 5005-H18 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O/H32/H34; allow generous bend radii above H16 and expect springback; not heat treatable, so strength comes only from cold work.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5005-H18?
5005-H18 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5005-H18?
Yes — 5005-H18 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 485-2 / EN 573-3 (EN AW-5005, AlMg1) — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Wrought aluminium alloy property records (5005 tempers) — MatWeb / CES EduPack (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.