Aluminum 5657
AA 5657 · UNS A95657 · EN AW-5657, AW 5657
5657 is a high-purity-base Al-Mg sheet alloy with about 0.8 % Mg (EN AW-5657, Al99.85Mg1(A)) in which Fe, Si and Cu are tightly restricted so that bright anodizing yields mirror-grade films free of haze and streaking.
5657 tempers and conditions
5657 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Choose for severe stretch forming, deep drawing or spinning of bright trim before final polishing/anodizing. | 40 | 110 | 28 | 22 HB | 55 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Equivalent strength level to H25 but supplied with ordinary (non-bright) mill finish coil. | 135 | 160 | 13 | 39 HB | 54 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, 1/2 hard | Standard stocked bright-trim temper: enough stiffness for roll-formed mouldings while retaining bend/draw ductility. | 140 | 160 | 12 | 40 HB | 54 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, special half-hard temper | Special variation of the H24 half-hard temper for 5657 bright-trim sheet, balancing moderate strength with the surface quality needed for bright anodizing. | 140 | 160 | 12 | 40 HB | 54 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Pick when trim sections need more dent resistance and springback control than H25, with only mild bending. | 160 | 175 | 8 | 45 HB | 54 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Highest strength/stiffness bright sheet for flat panels, nameplates and reflectors with minimal forming. | 180 | 195 | 5 | 50 HB | 54 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Fully cold-worked and thermally stabilized 5657 sheet giving the highest strength of the bright-trim tempers with limited remaining ductility. | 185 | 195 | 6 | 55 HB | 54 % IACS |
What is 5657?
5657 is a high-purity-base Al-Mg sheet alloy with about 0.8 % Mg (EN AW-5657, Al99.85Mg1(A)) in which Fe, Si and Cu are tightly restricted so that bright anodizing yields mirror-grade films free of haze and streaking. It is supplied as thin sheet and strip in O and H2x tempers for formed and stamped decorative parts such as automotive trim, appliance and lighting reflectors and nameplates. Strength is low and comes only from cold work, with no heat-treatment response, and machinability is poor, so it is not a load-bearing alloy; 5005 is the usual choice when anodized sheet needs more strength. 5657 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 638°C (1,180 °F). 5657 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — weaker than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 5657 used for?
- Automotive exterior trim and mouldings
- Lighting and luminaire reflectors
- Appliance decorative panels
- Anodized nameplates and badges
- Bright roll-formed edge strips
- Mirror-finish interior trim
- Stamped cosmetic covers
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 54 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 176 W/m·K (101.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
5657 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5657 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 638°C (1,180 °F).
Mechanical10
5657 has a yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — weaker than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
5657 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 176 W/m·K (101.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5657 conducts electricity at 54 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), better than 67% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5657 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 12%.
Manufacturability7
5657's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability 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. 5657 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5657
Is 5657 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood lubricant to prevent built-up edge and smearing of the show surface.
Can 5657 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 filler, but the HAZ anneals and welds anodize a different shade, so joints should be hidden or mechanically fastened instead.
Can 5657 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent roll forming, bending and drawing in O/H25; protect the bright surface with PVC film and use clean, polished, chrome-free tooling to avoid pick-up marks.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 5657. Every 5657 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better30 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent70 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better70 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
5657 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgsole strengthening addition | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Siheld low for bright anodizing | ≤ 0.08 | |
| Feheld low to avoid grey haze in anodic film | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Gaspecifically limited for optical brightness | ≤ 0.03 | |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (each)total 0.05 max | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Alremainder, high-purity base | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5657?
Designed for chemical/electro-brightening then clear or colour anodizing; buffing before anodize yields mirror trim, and film clarity depends on keeping Fe/Si low.
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).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 5657 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A95657
- Aluminum Association
- AA5657
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-5657AW 5657
How much does 5657 cost?
5657 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
5657 — frequently asked
What is 5657 used for?
5657 is typically used for automotive exterior trim and mouldings, lighting and luminaire reflectors, appliance decorative panels, anodized nameplates and badges, bright roll-formed edge strips and mirror-finish interior trim. In short: super-bright anodizing sheet.
What is the yield strength of 5657?
5657 has a typical yield strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — weaker than 70% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 5657 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood lubricant to prevent built-up edge and smearing of the show surface.
Can 5657 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 filler, but the HAZ anneals and welds anodize a different shade, so joints should be hidden or mechanically fastened instead.
What surface finishes work on 5657?
Designed for chemical/electro-brightening then clear or colour anodizing; buffing before anodize yields mirror trim, and film clarity depends on keeping Fe/Si low.
Can 5657 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent roll forming, bending and drawing in O/H25; protect the bright surface with PVC film and use clean, polished, chrome-free tooling to avoid pick-up marks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5657?
5657 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 5657 cost?
5657 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5657?
Yes — 5657 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
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- Aluminum Standards and Data (mechanical property limits, 5000-series sheet) — The Aluminum Association (2017)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 — wrought aluminium alloy composition and sheet properties — CEN (2019)
- ASTM B209 — Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (aluminium alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- Alloy 5657 sheet property listings — MatWeb (2024)
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.