Aluminum 5021
AA 5021 · UNS A95021
5021 is a 5000 series Al-Mg automotive sheet alloy (UNS A95021), strengthened by magnesium in solid solution and by cold work rather than by heat treatment.
Reference datasheet — 5021 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the H18 condition
5021 tempers and conditions
5021 is supplied in 13 conditions, soft to hard. H18 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 13 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick fully annealed blanks for deep drawing, complex formed body panels or any part needing maximum ductility, at 85 MPa yield strength and 25% elongation. | 85 | 190 | 25 | 47 HB | 36 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Pick strain-hardened and partially annealed quarter-hard sheet when a stable low strength of 165 MPa yield is wanted together with more stiffness than the annealed state. | 165 | 220 | 14 | 60 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Choose quarter-hard strain-hardened sheet when strength must sit slightly above the annealed state while bending remains good, at 180 MPa yield and 12% elongation. | 180 | 225 | 12 | 62 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Use quarter-hard sheet that is strain hardened and low-temperature stabilized when long-term property stability without age softening is required, at 185 MPa yield. | 185 | 230 | 13 | 62 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Choose strain-hardened and partially annealed half-hard sheet for parts needing secondary forming; bendability exceeds H14 at 195 MPa yield and 11% elongation. | 195 | 245 | 11 | 68 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Use half-hard strain-hardened sheet as the general-purpose cold-worked compromise between strength (210 MPa yield) and bendability at 9% elongation. | 210 | 250 | 9 | 70 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Pick the general-purpose stabilized half-hard sheet for a balance of 210 MPa yield strength, 10% elongation and dimensional stability in service. | 210 | 255 | 10 | 71 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, three-quarter hard | Choose the stabilized three-quarter-hard sheet for dent-resistant panels and shallow-formed parts at 238 MPa yield, accepting only 7% elongation. | 238 | 278 | 7 | 79 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Pick three-quarter-hard strain-hardened sheet for panels and housings where dent resistance comes first and only light forming is required; elongation drops to 6%. | 240 | 275 | 6 | 78 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Use the stabilized full-hard condition for finished can ends and panels: strength approaches H18 at 260 MPa yield, with better elongation and long-term stability. | 260 | 295 | 5 | 83 HB | — |
H18Default Strain hardened, full hard | Choose the most widely stocked full-hard strain-hardened sheet and strip for can ends, tab stock and thin dent-resistant walls: 270 MPa yield with only 4% elongation. | 270 | 300 | 4 | 85 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, extra hard | Pick this strain-hardened and stabilized extra-hard strip for thin-gauge can ends and pull tabs needing the maximum 285 MPa yield; 4% elongation leaves essentially no forming reserve. | 285 | 315 | 4 | 90 HB | — |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Use the strongest cold-rolled condition at 295 MPa yield for can-end and tab strip that needs only localized forming; ductility falls to 3% elongation. | 295 | 320 | 3 | 92 HB | — |
What is 5021?
5021 is a 5000 series Al-Mg automotive sheet alloy (UNS A95021), strengthened by magnesium in solid solution and by cold work rather than by heat treatment. It is chosen for body panels and closures that need press formability together with strength and dent resistance, and is stocked as coil and cut sheet from O through H19 and the stabilized H2x/H3x tempers. Reference data give 270 MPa yield, 300 MPa tensile, 4% elongation and 85 HB, with service temperature limited to about 100 °C and 35% IACS conductivity. Welds soften toward O-temper strength and cannot be restored by heat treatment; 5182 is the nearest closure-sheet alternative. 5021 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F). 5021 has a yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — stronger than 69% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 5021 used for?
- automotive body panels
- closures
- structural sheet
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 82% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
5021 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5021-H18; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5021 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Mechanical11
5021 has a yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — stronger than 69% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5021 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 138 W/m·K (79.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 55% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5021 conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5021 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
5021's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability poor (30/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 5021 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5021
Is 5021 easy to machine?
Soft and prone to sticking to the cutting edge: use sharp, polished, high-rake tools, high spindle speed and generous emulsion or alcohol-based lubricant. Cold-worked H18/H19 material breaks chips better than O temper.
Can 5021 be welded?
TIG and MIG with 5356 or 5183 filler wire and resistance spot welding are all usable. The weld zone anneals and softens, so joint strength approaches O-temper values and no heat treatment restores it.
Can 5021 be formed, bent or molded?
O and H2x tempers give good deep-drawing behaviour; H18, H19 and H39 are limited to shallow forming, hemming/curling and blanking. Bend on large radii and with the rolling direction, and watch for Lüders (stretcher-strain) marks.
5021 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgsolid-solution strengthener; auto/packaging range per AA Teal Sheets | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Mnrefines grain, increases strength | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.15 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)each other impurity | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total other impurities | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5021?
Anodizing, chemical conversion coating (chrome-free paint pretreatment) and pre-painted coil coatings all apply. Adhesion is good after surface cleaning, which suits automotive topcoats and can-end interior lacquers.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 5021 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A95021
How much does 5021 cost?
5021 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
5021 — frequently asked
What is 5021 used for?
5021 is typically used for automotive body panels, closures and structural sheet. In short: dent-resistant auto body sheet; hard-temper 5000-series panel stock; formable and weldable.
What is the yield strength of 5021?
5021 has a typical yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — stronger than 69% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is 5021 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Soft and prone to sticking to the cutting edge: use sharp, polished, high-rake tools, high spindle speed and generous emulsion or alcohol-based lubricant. Cold-worked H18/H19 material breaks chips better than O temper.
Can 5021 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). TIG and MIG with 5356 or 5183 filler wire and resistance spot welding are all usable. The weld zone anneals and softens, so joint strength approaches O-temper values and no heat treatment restores it.
What surface finishes work on 5021?
Anodizing, chemical conversion coating (chrome-free paint pretreatment) and pre-painted coil coatings all apply. Adhesion is good after surface cleaning, which suits automotive topcoats and can-end interior lacquers.
Can 5021 be formed, bent or molded?
O and H2x tempers give good deep-drawing behaviour; H18, H19 and H39 are limited to shallow forming, hemming/curling and blanking. Bend on large radii and with the rolling direction, and watch for Lüders (stretcher-strain) marks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5021?
5021 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.
What is the difference between 5021-H18 and 5021-O?
H18 is the default condition — choose the most widely stocked full-hard strain-hardened sheet and strip for can ends, tab stock and thin dent-resistant walls: 270 MPa yield with only 4% elongation. O: pick fully annealed blanks for deep drawing, complex formed body panels or any part needing maximum ductility, at 85 MPa yield strength and 25% elongation. Yield strength is 270 MPa in H18 versus 85 MPa in O.
How much does 5021 cost?
5021 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.