Aluminum 5042-H39
Supply condition
AA 5042 · EN AlMg3.5Mn
H39 = 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.
Values for the H39 condition
Other 5042 tempers and conditions
5042 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 5042.
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 |
H39This page 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-H39?
5042-H39 is 5042 supplied in the H39 condition — highest-strength stabilized temper for can ends and tabs where property drift during coil storage and lacquer bake must be avoided. 5042-H39 has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 355 MPa (51.5 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 5042-H39 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). H19 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H39 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 75/100, better than 88% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 325 MPa (47.1 ksi), better than 81% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 80°C (176 °F), worse than 94% of aluminum grades
5042-H39 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5042-H39; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5042 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5042-H39 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-H39 has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 355 MPa (51.5 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5042-H39 is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °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-H39 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 88% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5042-H39 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-H39's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability fair (36/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5042-H39
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.
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.
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 | — |
5042-H39 — frequently asked
What is 5042-H39 used for?
5042-H39 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-H39?
5042-H39 has a typical yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 355 MPa (51.5 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 5042-H39 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-H39 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-H39?
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-H39 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-H39?
5042-H39 is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.