Aluminum 5042
AA 5042 · EN AlMg3.5Mn
5042 (AlMg3.5Mn) is a medium-magnesium, manganese-bearing 5000-series sheet alloy supplied mainly in hard tempers (H18/H19, H28/H38, H39, H48/H49) for can end and closure stock.
Reference datasheet — 5042 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 H19 condition
5042 tempers and conditions
5042 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. H19 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, used as re-roll/intermediate stock or where deep drawing is required before final hardening. | 125 | 255 | 24 | 60 HB | 34 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Over-rolled then partially annealed to full-hard level; chosen when a more uniform, less directional forming response is needed. | 305 | 340 | 6 | 94 HB | 33 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Full-hard sheet given a low-temperature stabilizing treatment to lock in properties and avoid age-softening of the high-Mg matrix. | 310 | 340 | 5 | 95 HB | 33 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard, then lacquered/painted | Full-hard coil supplied already coil-coated with food-contact lacquer for direct conversion into beverage can ends. | 312 | 345 | 5 | 95 HB | 33 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Full-hard cold-rolled sheet for closures and tab/end stock where slightly more residual ductility than H19 is wanted. | 315 | 345 | 5 | 96 HB | 32 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, extra hard | Highest-strength stabilized temper for can ends and tabs where property drift during coil storage and lacquer bake must be avoided. | 325 | 355 | 4 | 99 HB | 33 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard, then lacquered/painted | Coated version of the extra-hard temper for lightweight (down-gauged) can ends. | 328 | 357 | 4 | 99 HB | 32.5 % IACS |
H19Default Strain hardened, extra hard | Standard can-end / closure stock temper: highest as-rolled strength with enough formability for score-and-rivet end conversion. | 331 | 359 | 4 | 100 HB | 32 % IACS |
What is 5042?
5042 (AlMg3.5Mn) is a medium-magnesium, manganese-bearing 5000-series sheet alloy supplied mainly in hard tempers (H18/H19, H28/H38, H39, H48/H49) for can end and closure stock. It is selected where high strength must coexist with the scoring, curling and tab-forming steps of high-speed press lines. Default values are 331 MPa yield, 359 MPa tensile, 4% elongation, 100 HB (62 HRB), 125 W/m·K, 32% IACS and service to 65 °C. The low elongation of the hard tempers rules out deep drawing, and supply is largely coil only; 5182 is the usual alternative for can ends. 5042 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F). 5042 has a yield strength of 331 MPa (48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 359 MPa (52.1 ksi) — stronger than 82% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 5042 used for?
- beverage can ends
- closures
- stamped sheet parts
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 331 MPa (48 ksi), better than 82% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
5042 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5042-H19; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5042 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F).
Mechanical12
5042 has a yield strength of 331 MPa (48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 359 MPa (52.1 ksi) — stronger than 82% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5042 is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 125 W/m·K (72.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.7 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5042 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5042 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
5042's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. 5042 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5042
Is 5042 easy to machine?
Rarely machined in service; if needed use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed and flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge on the gummy Al-Mg matrix.
Can 5042 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW weldable with 5183 or 5356 filler; joints in the hard tempers lose strength in the HAZ back toward O-temper values, and resistance/seam welding is common for closure applications.
Can 5042 be formed, bent or molded?
Hard tempers are optimized for high-speed press stamping, scoring and curling of can ends — keep bend lines transverse to rolling direction and use generous radii; anneal or use O temper for deep draws.
5042 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 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.08 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Mgprincipal alloying element | 3 – 4 | 3.5 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5042?
Normally coil-coated with food-grade lacquer over a chromate-free conversion pretreatment; clear or dyed sulfuric anodizing is possible with a slightly grey cast, chemical brightening is fair.
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 5042 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AlMg3.5Mn
How much does 5042 cost?
5042 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
5042 — frequently asked
What is 5042 used for?
5042 is typically used for beverage can ends, closures and stamped sheet parts. In short: high-strength can-end stock; hard-temper stamping alloy; low elongation, shallow forming.
What is the yield strength of 5042?
5042 has a typical yield strength of 331 MPa (48 ksi) and a tensile strength of 359 MPa (52.1 ksi) — stronger than 82% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 5042 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Rarely machined in service; if needed use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed and flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge on the gummy Al-Mg matrix.
Can 5042 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW weldable with 5183 or 5356 filler; joints in the hard tempers lose strength in the HAZ back toward O-temper values, and resistance/seam welding is common for closure applications.
What surface finishes work on 5042?
Normally coil-coated with food-grade lacquer over a chromate-free conversion pretreatment; clear or dyed sulfuric anodizing is possible with a slightly grey cast, chemical brightening is fair.
Can 5042 be formed, bent or molded?
Hard tempers are optimized for high-speed press stamping, scoring and curling of can ends — keep bend lines transverse to rolling direction and use generous radii; anneal or use O temper for deep draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5042?
5042 is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 5042-H19 and 5042-O?
H19 is the default condition — standard can-end / closure stock temper: highest as-rolled strength with enough formability for score-and-rivet end conversion. O: softest condition, used as re-roll/intermediate stock or where deep drawing is required before final hardening. Yield strength is 331 MPa in H19 versus 125 MPa in O.
How much does 5042 cost?
5042 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- 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)
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.