Aluminum 5050
AA 5050 · UNS A95050 · EN AW-5050, AW 5050
5050 is a low-magnesium (≈1.4 % Mg) non-heat-treatable Al-Mg wrought alloy, essentially a mid-point between 3003 and 5052 in strength.
5050 tempers and conditions
5050 is supplied in 15 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 15 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for deep drawing, severe bending or spinning where maximum ductility is needed. | 55 | 145 | 24 | 36 HB | 50 % IACS |
Slightly strain hardened | Essentially annealed 5050 with a small amount of incidental cold work from levelling/straightening — soft, highly formable, near-O strength. | 65 | 150 | 20 | 37 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | For hot-worked rod, tube or drawn products supplied without a controlled cold-work temper. | 70 | 150 | 20 | 38 HB | 50.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Default stocked sheet/coil temper: balanced strength and bending formability for enclosures, trim and tube. | 145 | 170 | 9 | 46 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Quarter-hard cold-rolled 5050 — modest strength gain over O with retained bending ability. | 145 | 170 | 8 | 46 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Over-worked then back-annealed to quarter hard — H12-level strength with better ductility and stable properties. | 145 | 170 | 9 | 46 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Half-hard cold-worked 5050 sheet/strip; balanced strength and moderate bend formability for anodized trim. | 165 | 195 | 6 | 53 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Choose for flat panels and mild forming where higher yield strength and dent resistance are wanted. | 165 | 195 | 8 | 53 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard back-annealed 5050 — H14 strength with improved bend performance for formed anodized parts. | 165 | 195 | 8 | 53 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Three-quarter-hard 5050 with high strength for a 5000-series-lean alloy and limited cold bending. | 180 | 205 | 5 | 58 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, three-quarter hard | For stiff, flat, lightly formed strip such as decorative trim and stamped covers. | 180 | 205 | 7 | 58 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Three-quarter-hard back-annealed 5050 with H16 strength and slightly higher residual ductility. | 180 | 205 | 7 | 58 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Fully cold-worked 5050 — maximum strength and hardness, minimal ductility, best for flat parts and shallow forming. | 200 | 220 | 4 | 63 HB | 49 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Maximum strength/springiness of this alloy; use only for flat or very lightly bent parts. | 200 | 220 | 6 | 63 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Full-hard back-annealed 5050 — top of the strength range for this alloy, low elongation. | 200 | 220 | 6 | 63 HB | 49 % IACS |
What is 5050?
5050 is a low-magnesium (≈1.4 % Mg) non-heat-treatable Al-Mg wrought alloy, essentially a mid-point between 3003 and 5052 in strength. It is chosen for sheet, coil, drawn tube and decorative trim where good formability, very good atmospheric/marine corrosion resistance and a clean bright anodized finish matter more than high strength. Strength is modest (170–220 MPa in H tempers), it work-softens above ~120–150 °C, and like all 5000-series alloys it machines gummily and cannot be strengthened by heat treatment. 5050 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 627°C (1,161 °F). 5050 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
What is 5050 used for?
- Refrigerator and appliance tubing
- Architectural sheet and trim
- Anodized decorative trim
- Drawn tube for fluid lines
- Roll-formed coil stock
- Formed appliance panels
- Automotive brightwork
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 50 % IACS, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 191 W/m·K (110.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 75/100, better than 88% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
5050 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5050 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 627°C (1,161 °F).
Mechanical10
5050 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
5050 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 191 W/m·K (110.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5050 conducts electricity at 50 % IACS, better than 90% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 88% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5050 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
5050's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (80/100).
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. 5050 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5050
Is 5050 easy to machine?
Gummy like all 5000 series — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high surface speed and flood/mist lubricant to avoid built-up edge; H34/H38 tempers chip more cleanly than O.
Can 5050 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 or 5183 filler (4043 acceptable for lower strength); joints return to near-O strength in the HAZ, no post-weld heat treatment possible.
Can 5050 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H32; allow larger bend radii and expect springback in H36/H38, and anneal at ~345 °C if severe redraws are needed.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 5050. Every 5050 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent80 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better85 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
5050 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 strengthener | 1.1 – 1.8 | 1.4 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Others (each)0.15 max total | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Alremainder, ≈97.5 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5050?
Anodizes to a clear, bright decorative film and takes dye well; also paints and chemically brightens easily, but avoid heavy Mg-rich surface smut by proper deox before anodizing.
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).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 5050 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A95050
- Aluminum Association
- AA5050
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-5050AW 5050
How much does 5050 cost?
5050 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
5050 — frequently asked
What is 5050 used for?
5050 is typically used for refrigerator and appliance tubing, architectural sheet and trim, anodized decorative trim, drawn tube for fluid lines, roll-formed coil stock and formed appliance panels. In short: tubing and sheet for general use.
What is the yield strength of 5050?
5050 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 15 listed tempers.
Is 5050 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades). Gummy like all 5000 series — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high surface speed and flood/mist lubricant to avoid built-up edge; H34/H38 tempers chip more cleanly than O.
Can 5050 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 or 5183 filler (4043 acceptable for lower strength); joints return to near-O strength in the HAZ, no post-weld heat treatment possible.
What surface finishes work on 5050?
Anodizes to a clear, bright decorative film and takes dye well; also paints and chemically brightens easily, but avoid heavy Mg-rich surface smut by proper deox before anodizing.
Can 5050 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H32; allow larger bend radii and expect springback in H36/H38, and anneal at ~345 °C if severe redraws are needed.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5050?
5050 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 5050 cost?
5050 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5050?
Yes — 5050 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 — Wrought aluminium, composition and sheet properties — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum Standards and Data — The Aluminum Association (2017)
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.