Aluminum 5A03-O (Annealed)
Temper · default condition
GB 5A03
Use the annealed (GB temper M) sheet for stamping, deep drawing and welded structures; the softest state, with 22% elongation and weldability 90 at 90 MPa yield.
Values for the O condition
Other 5A03 tempers and conditions
5A03 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 5A03.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefaultThis page Annealed | Use the annealed (GB temper M) sheet for stamping, deep drawing and welded structures; the softest state, with 22% elongation and weldability 90 at 90 MPa yield. | 90 | 200 | 22 | 55 HB | 32 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Choose the as-hot-worked delivery state of thick plate and extruded profiles for large welded structures; properties stay near annealed at 195 MPa tensile and 18% elongation. | 90 | 195 | 18 | 55 HB | 32 % IACS |
As fabricated | Choose the as-fabricated state for forgings and some bar where properties are not guaranteed; estimate around the H112/O level of 90 MPa yield and 195 MPa tensile. | 90 | 195 | 17 | 55 HB | 32 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Pick quarter-hard strain-hardened and stabilized sheet when you need 165 MPa yield yet still have to bend the part and keep stable corrosion resistance; elongation drops to 12%. | 165 | 230 | 12 | 63 HB | 31 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Choose cold-rolled half-hard sheet, not stabilized, for flat or lightly bent parts needing more strength than annealed; 195 MPa yield with only 8% elongation. | 195 | 250 | 8 | 70 HB | 31 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Use the half-hard stabilized temper for can bodies and shell panels with moderate forming; 200 MPa yield and added stiffness at 9% elongation and a 65 °C service limit. | 200 | 255 | 9 | 73 HB | 31 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Use the full-hard, stabilized temper in this high-magnesium alloy to avoid age softening and intergranular-corrosion sensitization; 245 MPa yield at 5% elongation. | 245 | 290 | 5 | 80 HB | 31 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Pick the full-hard cold-rolled strip or wire for flat parts, washers and rivet wire; highest 255 MPa yield but 4% elongation leaves no forming capability. | 255 | 295 | 4 | 82 HB | 31 % IACS |
What is 5A03-O?
5A03-O is 5A03 in the O temper — use the annealed (GB temper M) sheet for stamping, deep drawing and welded structures; the softest state, with 22% elongation and weldability 90 at 90 MPa yield. 5A03-O has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 5A03-O has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 575°C (1,067 °F).
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 93% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 22%, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), worse than 87% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
5A03-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5A03-O; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5A03 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5A03-O has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 575°C (1,067 °F).
Mechanical10
5A03-O has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5A03-O is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 65% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5A03-O conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5A03-O takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
5A03-O's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5A03-O
Is 5A03 easy to machine?
Annealed stock is soft and tends to smear; use sharp high-rake tooling, high spindle speed and plenty of emulsion or alcohol-based lubricant. H3x cold-worked tempers break chips and finish noticeably better.
Can 5A03 be welded?
TIG and MIG weldability is excellent with magnesium-bearing ER5356 or ER5183 filler; avoid 4043 to prevent Mg2Si embrittlement. In cold-worked tempers the heat-affected zone softens back to O-temper strength, so design joints on annealed properties.
Can 5A03 be formed, bent or molded?
O temper draws, bends and stretches well with bend radii of about 0.5-1 t. The high magnesium content promotes Lueders bands and orange peel; after heavy cold work, intermediate anneal near 345 °C to restore ductility.
What surface finishes work on 5A03?
Suitable for sulfuric and hard anodizing and for chromate or chromate-free conversion coating. Silicon content makes clear anodize look grey, so for bright decorative surfaces switch to 5052 or chemically polish before dyeing.
5A03 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgmain solid-solution strengthening element | 3.2 – 3.8 | 3.5 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Siintentional Si addition specific to 5A03 | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Cuimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Others (each)each other impurity | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total other impurities | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
5A03-O — frequently asked
What is 5A03-O used for?
5A03-O is typically used for welded tanks, pipelines, sheet metal structures and rivets. In short: 5154-class welded sheet; good forming and rivet stock; stronger than 5A02.
What is the yield strength of 5A03-O?
5A03-O has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 5A03-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades). Annealed stock is soft and tends to smear; use sharp high-rake tooling, high spindle speed and plenty of emulsion or alcohol-based lubricant. H3x cold-worked tempers break chips and finish noticeably better.
Can 5A03-O be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). TIG and MIG weldability is excellent with magnesium-bearing ER5356 or ER5183 filler; avoid 4043 to prevent Mg2Si embrittlement. In cold-worked tempers the heat-affected zone softens back to O-temper strength, so design joints on annealed properties.
What surface finishes work on 5A03-O?
Suitable for sulfuric and hard anodizing and for chromate or chromate-free conversion coating. Silicon content makes clear anodize look grey, so for bright decorative surfaces switch to 5052 or chemically polish before dyeing.
Can 5A03-O be formed, bent or molded?
O temper draws, bends and stretches well with bend radii of about 0.5-1 t. The high magnesium content promotes Lueders bands and orange peel; after heavy cold work, intermediate anneal near 345 °C to restore ductility.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5A03-O?
5A03-O 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.
What is the difference between 5A03-O and 5A03-H18?
O is the default condition — use the annealed (GB temper M) sheet for stamping, deep drawing and welded structures; the softest state, with 22% elongation and weldability 90 at 90 MPa yield. H18: pick the full-hard cold-rolled strip or wire for flat parts, washers and rivet wire; highest 255 MPa yield but 4% elongation leaves no forming capability. Yield strength is 90 MPa in O versus 255 MPa in H18.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (5154/5754 data) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B: Corrosion — Aluminum Alloys — 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.