Aluminum 518.0
AA 518.0 · UNS A05180
518.0 (A05180) is a high-magnesium (about 8% Mg) aluminium die casting alloy supplied in the F condition, with 518.1 as the ingot designation.
Reference datasheet — 518.0 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
518.0 tempers and conditions
518.0 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. F is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FDefault As fabricated | The only commercially supplied condition: 518.0 is a die-casting alloy that develops its strength from Mg in solid solution and is used as cast. | 190 | 310 | 8 | 80 HB | 24 % IACS |
Foundry ingot chemistry | Ingot designation with slightly tightened chemistry (notably Fe ≤1.1%, Mg 7.6–8.6%) intended for remelting into 518.0 die castings. | 75 HB | 24 % IACS |
What is 518.0?
518.0 (A05180) is a high-magnesium (about 8% Mg) aluminium die casting alloy supplied in the F condition, with 518.1 as the ingot designation. It offers the highest as-cast strength of the Al-Mg casting group — 310 MPa tensile, 190 MPa yield, 8% elongation, 80 HB — together with corrosion resistance of 78/100 and outstanding polishability, which suits decorative and marine die castings. It is harder to cast than lower-Mg grades: hot-tearing sensitivity is high, die life is shorter than with 380/383, and maximum service temperature is 120 °C. Choose 380.0 where castability and cost dominate. 518.0 has a density of 2.57 g/cm³ (0.0928 lb/in³), lighter than 99% of aluminum grades. It melts at 535°C (995 °F). 518.0 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 518.0 used for?
- decorative die castings
- architectural hardware
- marine and outdoor fittings
- polished consumer goods
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 24 % IACS, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
518.0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 518.0-F; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
518.0 has a density of 2.57 g/cm³ (0.0928 lb/in³), lighter than 99% of aluminum grades. It melts at 535°C (995 °F).
Mechanical11
518.0 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
518.0 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 24.1 µm/m·K (13.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
518.0 conducts electricity at 24 % IACS, worse than 95% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 518.0 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability8
518.0's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. 518.0 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 518.0
Is 518.0 easy to machine?
Machines very freely with a bright finish — one of the best-machining cast Al alloys; use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed and good chip evacuation to avoid built-up edge.
Can 518.0 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with 5356 (Al-Mg) filler works metallurgically, but die-cast gas porosity blows out in the weld — repair welding is often restricted to vacuum/high-integrity castings.
Can 518.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-chamber die casting only; melt must be protected against oxidation/dross, hot-tearing sensitivity is high and die life is shorter than with 380/383 — thicker uniform walls and generous fillets help.
518.0 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 | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Femax (die-cast tolerance; 518.1 ingot ≤1.1) | ≤ 1.8 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Mgprincipal alloying element | 7.5 – 8.5 | 8 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Sn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 518.0?
Best-in-class for buffing, bright polishing and clear or dyed anodizing; low Si/Cu means light, uniform anodic film — chromate/paint and powder coat also adhere well.
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 518.0 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A05180
- Also called
- G8A
How much does 518.0 cost?
518.0 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
518.0 — frequently asked
What is 518.0 used for?
518.0 is typically used for decorative die castings, architectural hardware, marine and outdoor fittings and polished consumer goods. In short: strongest Al-Mg die casting; best-polishing cast aluminium; short die life, hot-tear prone.
What is the yield strength of 518.0?
518.0 has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is 518.0 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades). Machines very freely with a bright finish — one of the best-machining cast Al alloys; use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed and good chip evacuation to avoid built-up edge.
Can 518.0 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). GTAW/GMAW with 5356 (Al-Mg) filler works metallurgically, but die-cast gas porosity blows out in the weld — repair welding is often restricted to vacuum/high-integrity castings.
What surface finishes work on 518.0?
Best-in-class for buffing, bright polishing and clear or dyed anodizing; low Si/Cu means light, uniform anodic film — chromate/paint and powder coat also adhere well.
Can 518.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-chamber die casting only; melt must be protected against oxidation/dross, hot-tearing sensitivity is high and die life is shorter than with 380/383 — thicker uniform walls and generous fillets help.
What is the maximum service temperature of 518.0?
518.0 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 518.0 cost?
518.0 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), 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
- Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B85 — Aluminum-Alloy Die Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1993)
- NADCA Product Specification Standards for Die Castings — North American Die Casting Association (2018)
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.