Aluminum 5454-H16
Temper
AA 5454 · UNS A95454 · EN AW-5454, 3.3537 · BS N51
H16 = strain hardened, three-quarter hard
Three-quarter hard thin sheet for flat, high-strength panels; bending is limited and usually needs generous radii.
Values for the H16 condition
Other 5454 tempers and conditions
5454 is listed in 15 conditions; see the grade overview at 5454.
Compare all 15 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | As-fabricated 5454 (hot-rolled, extruded or forged) with no guaranteed mechanical limits; properties vary with product form and thermal history. | 115 | 240 | 20 | 62 HB | 34 % IACS |
Annealed | Pick for maximum formability — deep drawing, tight bends, spinning and severe roll forming before welding. | 117 | 250 | 22 | 62 HB | 35 % IACS |
Slightly strain hardened | Standard supply condition for 5454 extrusions and some plate: near-annealed strength with good forming and full weldability. | 120 | 245 | 20 | 64 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Choose for thick hot-rolled plate and extrusions where a guaranteed minimum strength is needed but no cold work is applied. | 125 | 250 | 18 | 65 HB | 35 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Same strength class as H12 but back-annealed for better ductility and dimensional stability in warm service. | 200 | 275 | 12 | 71 HB | 34 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | The workhorse stocked temper for 5454 sheet and plate: balanced strength, formability and stabilized properties for tankers and hot vessels. | 205 | 275 | 10 | 73 HB | 34 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Cold-rolled quarter-hard sheet for light forming with a strength step above annealed; not stabilized, so use H32 for warm service. | 205 | 275 | 10 | 73 HB | 34 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard strength with recovered ductility — good compromise for formed tank heads and stiffeners. | 230 | 300 | 10 | 79 HB | 34 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Half-hard cold-rolled sheet for flat parts and mild bends where higher yield strength matters more than ductility. | 240 | 305 | 8 | 81 HB | 34 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Stabilized half-hard temper for higher-strength welded vessels and tanker sheet still intended for warm service. | 240 | 305 | 10 | 81 HB | 34 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Back-annealed three-quarter hard sheet: same strength class as H16 with slightly better bend behaviour. | 250 | 315 | 6 | 85 HB | 34 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, three-quarter hard | Highest commonly registered strength temper for 5454 sheet, stabilized — for flat high-strength panels rather than formed parts. | 255 | 320 | 6 | 86 HB | 34 % IACS |
H16This page Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Three-quarter hard thin sheet for flat, high-strength panels; bending is limited and usually needs generous radii. | 260 | 320 | 5 | 87 HB | 34 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Full-hard 5454 sheet cold worked beyond H18 then partially annealed back to full-hard level; high strength with limited cold formability. | 285 | 330 | 8 | 90 HB | 34 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Full-hard 5454 sheet given a low-temperature stabilizing treatment for stable strength and reduced age-softening; highest strength temper of the alloy. | 295 | 340 | 8 | 93 HB | 34 % IACS |
What is 5454-H16?
5454-H16 is 5454 in the H16 temper — three-quarter hard thin sheet for flat, high-strength panels; bending is limited and usually needs generous radii. 5454-H16 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 5454-H16 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 602°C (1,116 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
5454-H16 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5454-H16; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5454 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5454-H16 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 602°C (1,116 °F).
Mechanical10
5454-H16 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5454-H16 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 134 W/m·K (77.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 60% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5454-H16 conducts electricity at 34 % IACS, worse than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5454-H16 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
5454-H16's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability fair (42/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5454-H16
Is 5454 easy to machine?
Machines like other 5000-series alloys — gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/H111; use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, positive rake and generous coolant/lubricant, and prefer H32/H34 for better chip break.
Can 5454 be welded?
Excellent GMAW/GTAW and friction-stir weldability with ER5356 (or ER5183 for strength); no post-weld heat treatment needed and no sensitization risk at elevated service temperature, but the HAZ reverts toward O-temper strength.
Can 5454 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O/H111 (deep drawing, roll forming, tank-head pressing); H32/H34 need larger bend radii and allowance for springback; avoid warm forming above ~350 °C for long times to limit grain coarsening.
What surface finishes work on 5454?
Takes clear and hard anodize well (Mg can slightly grey the film), accepts chemical conversion coating and paint after proper alkaline/acid etch; polishing is fair — expect some Mg-related streaking on bright finishes.
5454 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiSi+Fe combined limits apply in some standards | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Mgkept below ~3 % to avoid sensitization/SCC in warm service | 2.4 – 3 | 2.7 |
| Cr | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | 0.03 |
| Others (each)0.15 % total | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Alremainder, ~95.2–96.6 % | balance | — |
5454-H16 — frequently asked
What is 5454-H16 used for?
5454-H16 is typically used for hot-product road tanker barrels, pressure-vessel shells and tank heads, hot chemical and mine-water vessels, marine hulls and superstructure plate, welded structural weldments and elevated-temperature piping and ducting. In short: hot-service work-hardening alloy.
What is the yield strength of 5454-H16?
5454-H16 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 15 listed tempers.
Is 5454-H16 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades). Machines like other 5000-series alloys — gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/H111; use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, positive rake and generous coolant/lubricant, and prefer H32/H34 for better chip break.
Can 5454-H16 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent GMAW/GTAW and friction-stir weldability with ER5356 (or ER5183 for strength); no post-weld heat treatment needed and no sensitization risk at elevated service temperature, but the HAZ reverts toward O-temper strength.
What surface finishes work on 5454-H16?
Takes clear and hard anodize well (Mg can slightly grey the film), accepts chemical conversion coating and paint after proper alkaline/acid etch; polishing is fair — expect some Mg-related streaking on bright finishes.
Can 5454-H16 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O/H111 (deep drawing, roll forming, tank-head pressing); H32/H34 need larger bend radii and allowance for springback; avoid warm forming above ~350 °C for long times to limit grain coarsening.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5454-H16?
5454-H16 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5454-H16?
Yes — 5454-H16 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
- Aluminum Association International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 485-2 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: Sheet, strip and plate, mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- EN 755-2 — Aluminium extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles, mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.