Aluminum 5026-H18
Temper
AA 5026 · UNS A95026 · EN AlMg4.5MnSiFe
H18 = strain hardened, full hard
Maximum strength thin sheet/strip; very limited bending and highest sensitisation susceptibility.
Values for the H18 condition
Other 5026 tempers and conditions
5026 is listed in 15 conditions; see the grade overview at 5026.
Compare all 15 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum formability (deep drawing, severe bending) and best sensitisation resistance before forming and welding. | 140 | 290 | 24 | 70 HB | 29 % IACS |
H111Default Slightly strain hardened | Default stocked plate temper: near-annealed ductility with a small strength bonus, best all-round choice for welded marine and structural fabrications. | 170 | 310 | 18 | 80 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Use for thick hot-rolled plate and extruded shapes where as-fabricated properties are acceptable. | 175 | 305 | 16 | 79 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Stabilised quarter-hard condition with better ductility and IGC resistance than H12 at similar strength. | 210 | 312 | 14 | 85 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light cold work when a modest yield increase is needed but bending is still required. | 225 | 320 | 12 | 88 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened, corrosion-resistant marine temper | Specify for seawater-immersed hull and armour plate that must pass ASTM G66/G67 exfoliation and IGC tests. | 235 | 335 | 12 | 91 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Low-temperature stabilised quarter-hard plate/sheet; standard marine temper with stable properties over time. | 240 | 330 | 12 | 90 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, marine temper | Classic marine/armour plate temper: stabilised, corrosion-qualified per ASTM B928, welds and forms well in heavy gauges. | 240 | 335 | 13 | 91 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard sheet with a back-anneal for improved bendability and exfoliation resistance versus H14. | 265 | 345 | 10 | 95 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Half-hard, thermally stabilised temper — best combination of high yield strength and long-term property/corrosion stability for high-Mg sheet. | 285 | 355 | 9 | 98 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Choose when high as-rolled yield strength in flat sheet matters more than bend radius or weld-HAZ retention. | 290 | 350 | 8 | 100 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Higher-strength stabilised sheet for lightly formed panels needing good corrosion behaviour. | 300 | 368 | 8 | 104 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain-hardened armour plate temper | Use for ballistic-qualified vehicle armour plate where MIL-DTL type acceptance (V50) governs rather than generic mechanicals. | 300 | 380 | 8 | 105 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Thin-gauge sheet where maximum cold-worked strength is required and forming is minimal. | 320 | 375 | 6 | 108 HB | 29 % IACS |
H18This page Strain hardened, full hard | Maximum strength thin sheet/strip; very limited bending and highest sensitisation susceptibility. | 350 | 400 | 4 | 115 HB | 29 % IACS |
What is 5026-H18?
5026-H18 is 5026 in the H18 temper — maximum strength thin sheet/strip; very limited bending and highest sensitisation susceptibility. 5026-H18 has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 83% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 70.5 GPa (10.2 Msi). 5026-H18 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F). H111 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H18 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 350 MPa (50.8 ksi), better than 83% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 32 MPa·√m (29.1 ksi·√in), better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 117 W/m·K (67.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades
5026-H18 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5026-H18; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5026 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5026-H18 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical12
5026-H18 has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 83% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 70.5 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5026-H18 is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 117 W/m·K (67.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 24.2 µm/m·K (13.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5026-H18 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 71% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5026-H18 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
5026-H18's machinability is good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5026-H18
Is 5026 easy to machine?
Machines like other high-Mg 5000 series: gummy long chips, use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed with flood emulsion; H14/H34 tempers cut cleaner than O/H111.
Can 5026 be welded?
Excellent GMAW/GTAW and FSW behaviour with ER5183 or ER5356 filler; do not preheat above ~120 °C, keep interpass low, and expect HAZ properties to drop toward the O condition.
Can 5026 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form in O/H111/H32; use generous bend radii (≥2t half-hard, ≥1t annealed) and avoid warm forming in the 60–200 °C range that promotes sensitisation.
What surface finishes work on 5026?
Responds well to sulphuric clear anodising and to chromate-free conversion coating plus epoxy primer for vehicle/marine service; mechanical polishing gives a satin rather than mirror finish because of Fe/Si constituent particles.
5026 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgprincipal solid-solution strengthener; >3 % Mg drives sensitisation limit | 4 – 5 | 4.5 |
| Mndispersoid former, grain-structure control | 0.3 – 1 | 0.65 |
| Sideliberate addition in this grade (AlMg4.5MnSiFe designation) | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Fedeliberate addition forming Al-Fe-Mn-Si constituent particles | 0.15 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Cr | 0.05 – 0.25 | 0.12 |
| Zrrecrystallisation inhibitor (typical of modern high-Mg plate alloys) | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Albalance; exact registered limits should be confirmed against the current Aluminum Association Teal Sheet entry for 5026 | balance | — |
5026-H18 — frequently asked
What is 5026-H18 used for?
5026-H18 is typically used for armor components, structural extrusions and high-strength welded assemblies. In short: high-Mg armor-grade 5000 series; weldability score 88; 65 °C service ceiling.
What is the yield strength of 5026-H18?
5026-H18 has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 83% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 15 listed tempers.
Is 5026-H18 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades). Machines like other high-Mg 5000 series: gummy long chips, use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed with flood emulsion; H14/H34 tempers cut cleaner than O/H111.
Can 5026-H18 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent GMAW/GTAW and FSW behaviour with ER5183 or ER5356 filler; do not preheat above ~120 °C, keep interpass low, and expect HAZ properties to drop toward the O condition.
What surface finishes work on 5026-H18?
Responds well to sulphuric clear anodising and to chromate-free conversion coating plus epoxy primer for vehicle/marine service; mechanical polishing gives a satin rather than mirror finish because of Fe/Si constituent particles.
Can 5026-H18 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form in O/H111/H32; use generous bend radii (≥2t half-hard, ≥1t annealed) and avoid warm forming in the 60–200 °C range that promotes sensitisation.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5026-H18?
5026-H18 is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 5026-H111 and 5026-H18?
H111 is the default condition — default stocked plate temper: near-annealed ductility with a small strength bonus, best all-round choice for welded marine and structural fabrications. H18: maximum strength thin sheet/strip; very limited bending and highest sensitisation susceptibility. Yield strength is 170 MPa in H111 versus 350 MPa in H18.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B928/B928M — High-Magnesium Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate for Marine Service — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (Aluminum alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- High-magnesium marine and armour plate alloy datasheets (5083/5059/5026 class) — Constellium / Aleris (2020)
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.