Aluminum 520.0
AA 520.0 · UNS A05200 · BS LM10
520.0 (A05200) is a high-magnesium Al-Mg sand casting alloy, normally supplied solution treated and naturally aged to T4, with F also on file.
Reference datasheet — 520.0 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 T4 condition
520.0 tempers and conditions
520.0 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. T4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Rarely sold; as-cast structure has coarse Al8Mg5 network giving low ductility — use only for non-structural or trial castings before solution treatment. | 110 | 180 | 3 | 60 HB | 19 % IACS |
T4Default Solution heat treated and naturally aged | The only commercially supplied condition — long solution treatment (~420 °C, 12–18 h) then quench and natural age, giving maximum strength plus ductility. | 180 | 330 | 16 | 75 HB | 21 % IACS |
What is 520.0?
520.0 (A05200) is a high-magnesium Al-Mg sand casting alloy, normally supplied solution treated and naturally aged to T4, with F also on file. In T4 it delivers 330 MPa tensile strength, 180 MPa yield, 16% elongation and 75 HB, plus the best machinability of any cast aluminium alloy (90/100) and corrosion resistance of 78/100, which suits machined aircraft and marine fittings. Castability is poor: fluidity is very low, hot tearing and Mg oxidation are severe, welding is difficult, and maximum service temperature is 100 °C. Where casting yield matters more than machinability, 514.0 or an Al-Si alloy is the practical alternative. 520.0 has a density of 2.57 g/cm³ (0.0928 lb/in³), lighter than 99% of aluminum grades. It melts at 449°C (840 °F). 520.0 has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 54% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 68 GPa (9.86 Msi).
What is 520.0 used for?
- aircraft fittings
- food processing equipment
- marine hardware
- instrument housings
- hand tools
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 93% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 16%, better than 84% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 87 W/m·K (50.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 21 % IACS, worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
520.0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 520.0-T4; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
520.0 has a density of 2.57 g/cm³ (0.0928 lb/in³), lighter than 99% of aluminum grades. It melts at 449°C (840 °F).
Mechanical11
520.0 has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 54% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 68 GPa (9.86 Msi).
Thermal6
520.0 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 87 W/m·K (50.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 25 µm/m·K (13.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
520.0 conducts electricity at 21 % IACS, worse than 99% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 520.0 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
520.0's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100).
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. 520.0 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 520.0
Is 520.0 easy to machine?
Machines better than any other cast aluminium alloy — long clean chips, excellent surface finish; use sharp high-rake carbide/HSS tooling, high speeds, moderate feed, light lubricant.
Can 520.0 be welded?
Poor: use 5356 (Al-5Mg) filler under argon TIG/MIG with tight heat control; welds are hot-crack sensitive and the T4 properties in the HAZ are lost unless the part is re-solution-treated.
Can 520.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand casting only — very low fluidity, strong hot-tear tendency and violent Mg oxidation; requires protective flux/cover gas (SF6-free cover), sulphur-inhibited moulding sand, generous risering and a long 420 °C solution soak followed by quench and ≥10 days natural ageing.
520.0 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgprimary strengthening element | 9.5 – 10.6 | 10 |
| Si | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 520.0?
Takes bright polishing and clear sulphuric anodizing very well thanks to its low silicon content; chromate/chrome-free conversion coatings and paint adhere readily, and no plating undercoat is normally needed for marine service.
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 520.0 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A05200
- BS
- LM10
- Also called
- G10A
How much does 520.0 cost?
520.0 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
520.0 — frequently asked
What is 520.0 used for?
520.0 is typically used for aircraft fittings, food processing equipment, marine hardware, instrument housings and hand tools. In short: best-machining cast aluminium; high strength and 16% elongation; very poor castability.
What is the yield strength of 520.0?
520.0 has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 54% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is 520.0 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades). Machines better than any other cast aluminium alloy — long clean chips, excellent surface finish; use sharp high-rake carbide/HSS tooling, high speeds, moderate feed, light lubricant.
Can 520.0 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor: use 5356 (Al-5Mg) filler under argon TIG/MIG with tight heat control; welds are hot-crack sensitive and the T4 properties in the HAZ are lost unless the part is re-solution-treated.
What surface finishes work on 520.0?
Takes bright polishing and clear sulphuric anodizing very well thanks to its low silicon content; chromate/chrome-free conversion coatings and paint adhere readily, and no plating undercoat is normally needed for marine service.
Can 520.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand casting only — very low fluidity, strong hot-tear tendency and violent Mg oxidation; requires protective flux/cover gas (SF6-free cover), sulphur-inhibited moulding sand, generous risering and a long 420 °C solution soak followed by quench and ≥10 days natural ageing.
What is the maximum service temperature of 520.0?
520.0 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 520.0-T4 and 520.0-F?
T4 is the default condition — the only commercially supplied condition — long solution treatment (~420 °C, 12–18 h) then quench and natural age, giving maximum strength plus ductility. F: rarely sold; as-cast structure has coarse Al8Mg5 network giving low ductility — use only for non-structural or trial castings before solution treatment. Yield strength is 180 MPa in T4 versus 110 MPa in F.
How much does 520.0 cost?
520.0 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- ASTM B26/B26M — Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- Registration Record of Aluminum Association Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot ('Pink Sheets') — The Aluminum Association (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)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- GB/T 1173 (ZL301 Al-Mg10) — SAC (2013)
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.