Aluminum 5021-H18
Temper · default condition
AA 5021 · UNS A95021
H18 = 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.
Values for the H18 condition
Other 5021 tempers and conditions
5021 is listed in 13 conditions; see the grade overview at 5021.
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 | — |
H18DefaultThis page 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-H18?
5021-H18 is 5021 in the H18 temper — 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. 5021-H18 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). 5021-H18 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).
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-H18 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5021-H18; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5021 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5021-H18 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-H18 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-H18 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-H18 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-H18 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-H18'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5021-H18
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.
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.
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 | — |
5021-H18 — frequently asked
What is 5021-H18 used for?
5021-H18 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-H18?
5021-H18 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-H18 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-H18 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-H18?
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-H18 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-H18?
5021-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.
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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.