Aluminum 5A05
GB 5A05
5A05 (LF5) is a non-heat-treatable Al-Mg5 wrought alloy strengthened by magnesium in solution and by cold work, with a strength and corrosion profile close to 5056.
Reference datasheet — 5A05 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 O condition
5A05 tempers and conditions
5A05 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. O is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Most stocked condition for sheet, plate, tube and rivet wire — best formability and weld-zone match. | 145 | 270 | 22 | 70 HB | 29 % IACS |
As fabricated | Forging or rolled blank supplied without controlled temper; properties confirmed after subsequent annealing. | 145 | 270 | 18 | 70 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Default for extruded bar, profile, tube and thick plate where no cold work is applied after hot forming. | 150 | 275 | 16 | 72 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Light cold work with stabilising anneal — higher yield than O while keeping good bending and stable properties. | 210 | 300 | 13 | 80 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Mid-hard stabilised sheet for panels and tanks needing more stiffness/yield than O with acceptable ductility. | 250 | 330 | 9 | 88 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Cold-rolled half-hard sheet/strip for flat parts with limited forming; less stable than H34 for high-Mg alloys. | 270 | 340 | 7 | 95 HB | 28.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Full-hard drawn wire/strip; used for cold-driven 5A05 rivets and high-strength flat stock. | 340 | 400 | 5 | 108 HB | 28.5 % IACS |
What is 5A05?
5A05 (LF5) is a non-heat-treatable Al-Mg5 wrought alloy strengthened by magnesium in solution and by cold work, with a strength and corrosion profile close to 5056. It reaches 145 MPa yield, 270 MPa tensile, 22% elongation and HB 70 with corrosion resistance rated 75, and is supplied as sheet, plate and rivet stock for welded and riveted structures. Weldability is 90, but continuous service is capped at 65 °C to avoid beta-phase sensitisation, machinability is 40 and thermal conductivity is 117 W/m·K. 5A06 is the next step up in strength. 5A05 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 568°C (1,054 °F). 5A05 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 5A05 used for?
- fuel and hydraulic tanks
- welded structural parts
- aircraft fittings
- rivets
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 22%, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 35 MPa·√m (31.9 ksi·√in), better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 75/100, better than 88% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 117 W/m·K (67.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades
5A05 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5A05-O; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5A05 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 568°C (1,054 °F).
Mechanical11
5A05 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5A05 is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 117 W/m·K (67.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5A05 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 88% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5A05 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
5A05's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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. 5A05 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5A05
Is 5A05 easy to machine?
Gummy in O temper — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, 300+ m/min and generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; cold-worked tempers cut cleaner.
Can 5A05 be welded?
Excellent with TIG/MIG using ER5356 or ER5183 filler; no preheat, keep interpass low, avoid 4000-series filler (Mg₂Si cracking) and avoid prolonged sensitising heat.
Can 5A05 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O temper (deep drawing, bending, rivet heading); hard tempers need larger bend radii and may require intermediate annealing at 340–380 °C.
5A05 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 strengthening solute | 4.8 – 5.5 | 5.1 |
| Mngrain/recrystallisation control | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Tigrain refiner, when added | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Others (each)total ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5A05?
Anodises well (clear/hard); chemical conversion coating and marine paint systems adhere readily; polishing gives a slightly grey lustre due to the high Mg content.
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 5A05 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- LF5
How much does 5A05 cost?
5A05 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.
5A05 — frequently asked
What is 5A05 used for?
5A05 is typically used for fuel and hydraulic tanks, welded structural parts, aircraft fittings and rivets. In short: 5056-class welded strength; strong Al-Mg rivet stock; 65 °C service ceiling.
What is the yield strength of 5A05?
5A05 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 5A05 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades). Gummy in O temper — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, 300+ m/min and generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; cold-worked tempers cut cleaner.
Can 5A05 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent with TIG/MIG using ER5356 or ER5183 filler; no preheat, keep interpass low, avoid 4000-series filler (Mg₂Si cracking) and avoid prolonged sensitising heat.
What surface finishes work on 5A05?
Anodises well (clear/hard); chemical conversion coating and marine paint systems adhere readily; polishing gives a slightly grey lustre due to the high Mg content.
Can 5A05 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O temper (deep drawing, bending, rivet heading); hard tempers need larger bend radii and may require intermediate annealing at 340–380 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5A05?
5A05 is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 5A05-O and 5A05-H18?
O is the default condition — most stocked condition for sheet, plate, tube and rivet wire — best formability and weld-zone match. H18: full-hard drawn wire/strip; used for cold-driven 5A05 rivets and high-strength flat stock. Yield strength is 145 MPa in O versus 340 MPa in H18.
How much does 5A05 cost?
5A05 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
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties of Wrought Aluminum Alloys (5056/5083 analogues) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion of Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (2005)
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.