Aluminum 512.0
AA 512.0 · UNS A05120
512.0 (A05120) is an Al-Mg-Si sand casting alloy in the ANSI/AA 5xx.x series, formerly designated B514.0, and is used as-cast in the F temper.
Reference datasheet — 512.0 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 F condition
512.0 tempers and conditions
512.0 is supplied in one standard condition, F. F is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
What is 512.0?
512.0 (A05120) is an Al-Mg-Si sand casting alloy in the ANSI/AA 5xx.x series, formerly designated B514.0, and is used as-cast in the F temper. It is chosen for corrosion resistance and a surface that polishes and anodizes well, with 138 MPa tensile strength, 90 MPa yield, 50 HB and 121 W/m·K in typical sand-cast marine and architectural hardware. Limits are low ductility (2% elongation), a 120 °C maximum service temperature and a magnesium-bearing melt that oxidises and drosses easily. Where more ductility is needed in the same Al-Mg family, 514.0 is the nearest alternative. 512.0 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 590°C (1,094 °F). 512.0 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 138 MPa (20 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is 512.0 used for?
- marine and architectural hardware
- decorative castings
- food-service equipment
- electrical fittings
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 80/100, better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), worse than 87% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 87% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 121 W/m·K (69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of aluminum grades
512.0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 512.0-F; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
512.0 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 590°C (1,094 °F).
Mechanical10
512.0 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 138 MPa (20 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
512.0 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 121 W/m·K (69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
512.0 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), better than 97% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 512.0 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability6
512.0's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (70/100).
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. 512.0 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 512.0
Is 512.0 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly with sharp, high-rake carbide or PCD tooling and flood coolant; chips are stringy so use chip-breaking geometry and high surface speeds for a bright finish.
Can 512.0 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW with 5356 or 5183 filler; preheat only lightly, avoid prolonged exposure above 65 °C afterwards to limit Mg-phase sensitisation.
Can 512.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand casting only — the high-Mg melt oxidises and drosses readily, so use protective cover flux/inert gas, low turbulence gating, chill and generous risers to fight low fluidity and hot tearing.
512.0 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 | 1.4 – 2.2 | 1.8 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.6 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.8 | |
| Mgprincipal strengthening/corrosion element | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 512.0?
Outstanding for buffing, bright dipping and clear or coloured anodising; chemical conversion coating (chromate-free) and paint also adhere well without special primers.
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 512.0 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A05120
- Also called
- SG42A
- Other
- B514.0
How much does 512.0 cost?
512.0 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
512.0 — frequently asked
What is 512.0 used for?
512.0 is typically used for marine and architectural hardware, decorative castings, food-service equipment and electrical fittings. In short: polishable sand-cast Al-Mg-Si; anodizes bright and clear; low strength, low elongation.
What is the yield strength of 512.0?
512.0 has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 138 MPa (20 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades.
Is 512.0 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades). Machines cleanly with sharp, high-rake carbide or PCD tooling and flood coolant; chips are stringy so use chip-breaking geometry and high surface speeds for a bright finish.
Can 512.0 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW with 5356 or 5183 filler; preheat only lightly, avoid prolonged exposure above 65 °C afterwards to limit Mg-phase sensitisation.
What surface finishes work on 512.0?
Outstanding for buffing, bright dipping and clear or coloured anodising; chemical conversion coating (chromate-free) and paint also adhere well without special primers.
Can 512.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand casting only — the high-Mg melt oxidises and drosses readily, so use protective cover flux/inert gas, low turbulence gating, chill and generous risers to fight low fluidity and hot tearing.
What is the maximum service temperature of 512.0?
512.0 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 512.0 cost?
512.0 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), 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
- ANSI H35.1 / Aluminum Association Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot ('Pink Sheets') — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B26/B26M Standard Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 15 — Casting (aluminium foundry alloy characteristics) — ASM International (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (aluminium alloys) — 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.