Aluminum 5051A-F (As fabricated)
Temper
AA 5051A · EN 3.3326
Mill product supplied without mechanical property guarantees, for parts that will be formed and re-annealed.
Values for the F condition
Other 5051A tempers and conditions
5051A is listed in 12 conditions; see the grade overview at 5051A.
Compare all 12 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Maximum formability for deep drawing, spinning and tight bends; lowest strength. | 68 | 175 | 24 | 45 HB | 35 % IACS |
Slightly strain hardened | Flat, levelled soft sheet where O-temper properties are needed but with better flatness. | 70 | 175 | 22 | 46 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Standard condition for hot-rolled plate and extruded shapes; slightly above O in strength with guaranteed minima. | 75 | 180 | 20 | 47 HB | 34.5 % IACS |
FThis page As fabricated | Mill product supplied without mechanical property guarantees, for parts that will be formed and re-annealed. | 80 | 180 | 18 | 48 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Same nominal strength class as H12 but with restored ductility for forming after delivery. | 150 | 200 | 11 | 53 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light cold work when a little more stiffness/dent resistance is needed but bending is still required. | 165 | 205 | 8 | 55 HB | 34.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard temper with better bendability than H14; the usual choice for formed half-hard parts. | 180 | 230 | 8 | 60 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | General-purpose half-hard strip for panels, trim and light structures with moderate bending. | 195 | 235 | 6 | 62 HB | — |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Three-quarter hard with a modest ductility reserve for gentle forming. | 205 | 250 | 5 | 65 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Higher-strength strip for flat or lightly formed parts such as covers and shells. | 220 | 255 | 4 | 68 HB | — |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Full-hard strip stabilised by a low-temperature treatment for more consistent flatness and ductility. | 230 | 270 | 4 | 70 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Maximum cold-worked strength; flat parts only, essentially no bending capability. | 245 | 275 | 3 | 73 HB | 34 % IACS |
What is 5051A-F?
5051A-F is 5051A in the F temper — mill product supplied without mechanical property guarantees, for parts that will be formed and re-annealed. 5051A-F has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 90% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 5051A-F has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 610°C (1,130 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; F is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 74/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 18%, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 80 MPa (11.6 ksi), worse than 90% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
5051A-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5051A-F; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5051A reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5051A-F has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 610°C (1,130 °F).
Mechanical11
5051A-F has a yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 90% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5051A-F is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 155 W/m·K (89.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.7 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5051A-F conducts electricity at 35 % IACS, better than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), better than 87% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5051A-F 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
5051A-F's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability very good (80/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5051A-F
Is 5051A easy to machine?
Machinable with sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high rake and high speed plus flood or MQL coolant; annealed material is gummy and needs chip-breaking geometry.
Can 5051A be welded?
Excellent for GTAW/GMAW, resistance and friction-stir welding using 5356 or 5183 filler; welds return roughly to O-temper strength in the HAZ, so design joints on annealed properties.
Can 5051A be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O/H1x-2x tempers — deep drawing, roll forming and tight bends; anneal 340–380 °C between severe operations and expect springback higher than for 1000/3000 series.
What surface finishes work on 5051A?
Takes clear, colour and bright anodising uniformly and gives a good mechanical/chemical polish; brazing is difficult and painting requires standard chromate-free pretreatment.
5051A 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 | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.45 | 0.3 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Mgprincipal strengthening element | 1.7 – 2.2 | 1.95 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | 0.03 |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | ≥ 97 (balance) | — |
5051A-F — frequently asked
What is 5051A-F used for?
5051A-F is typically used for general sheet fabrication, tube and pipe and decorative parts. In short: most formable 5000-series grade; between 5050 and 5052; bright anodizing grade.
What is the yield strength of 5051A-F?
5051A-F has a typical yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) — weaker than 90% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 5051A-F easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades). Machinable with sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high rake and high speed plus flood or MQL coolant; annealed material is gummy and needs chip-breaking geometry.
Can 5051A-F be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent for GTAW/GMAW, resistance and friction-stir welding using 5356 or 5183 filler; welds return roughly to O-temper strength in the HAZ, so design joints on annealed properties.
What surface finishes work on 5051A-F?
Takes clear, colour and bright anodising uniformly and gives a good mechanical/chemical polish; brazing is difficult and painting requires standard chromate-free pretreatment.
Can 5051A-F be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O/H1x-2x tempers — deep drawing, roll forming and tight bends; anneal 340–380 °C between severe operations and expect springback higher than for 1000/3000 series.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5051A-F?
5051A-F 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.
What is the difference between 5051A-O and 5051A-H18?
O is the default condition — maximum formability for deep drawing, spinning and tight bends; lowest strength. H18: maximum cold-worked strength; flat parts only, essentially no bending capability. Yield strength is 68 MPa in O versus 245 MPa in H18.
Sources
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — chemical composition of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- EN 485-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- DIN 1725 / W.-Nr. 3.3326 AlMg2 designation data — DIN (1986)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (aluminium alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- European rolled AlMg2 strip datasheets (anodising quality) — Constellium / AMAG (2022)
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.