Aluminum 5A06
GB 5A06
5A06 (LF6) is a high-magnesium (about 6% Mg) non-heat-treatable Al-Mg wrought alloy that reaches its strength through solid solution and cold work rather than ageing.
Reference datasheet — 5A06 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
5A06 tempers and conditions
5A06 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. O is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault Annealed | Default stocked plate/sheet condition: maximum ductility and best corrosion/SCC behaviour for deep forming and welded structures. | 165 | 330 | 20 | 70 HB | 26.5 % IACS |
As fabricated | Use for forgings, free-machining bar and profiles where no property limits are guaranteed and parts are machined all over. | 170 | 335 | 15 | 72 HB | 26.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Choose for thick hot-rolled plate and extrusions where slightly higher strength than O is wanted with no cold work. | 175 | 340 | 16 | 75 HB | — |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Stabilized quarter-hard sheet/plate: modest strength gain over O with the low-temperature stabilization anneal that restores resistance to exfoliation/SCC. | 235 | 355 | 12 | 85 HB | — |
Strain hardened, half hard | Half-hard sheet for stiffer panels and skins where moderate bending is still needed. | 295 | 395 | 8 | 100 HB | 115 W/m·K |
Strain hardened, full hard | Full-hard thin sheet/strip for maximum strength flat parts; almost no bending capability and highest SCC sensitivity. | 350 | 430 | 5 | 110 HB | — |
What is 5A06?
5A06 (LF6) is a high-magnesium (about 6% Mg) non-heat-treatable Al-Mg wrought alloy that reaches its strength through solid solution and cold work rather than ageing. Annealed values are 165 MPa yield, 330 MPa tensile, 20% elongation and HB 70 with weldability rated 88, which is why it is specified for welded aircraft and vehicle structures in sheet and plate. Formability drops to 80, machinability is 42, corrosion resistance is 72 and service is capped at 65 °C because of sensitisation risk; 5A05 forms more easily and 5A12 goes higher in strength. 5A06 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 568°C (1,054 °F). 5A06 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 5A06 used for?
- aircraft welded structures
- high-strength sheet parts
- military vehicle panels
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 35 MPa·√m (31.9 ksi·√in), better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 20%, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- High embodied carbon — 14 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 26.5 % IACS, worse than 89% 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 — 42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades
5A06 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5A06-O; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5A06 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 568°C (1,054 °F).
Mechanical12
5A06 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5A06 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 24.7 µm/m·K (13.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5A06 conducts electricity at 26.5 % IACS, worse than 89% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5A06 takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 14 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability7
5A06's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability very good (80/100).
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. 5A06 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5A06
Is 5A06 easy to machine?
Gummy in the O temper — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous emulsion or vegetable-oil coolant, and interrupt chips to prevent built-up edge.
Can 5A06 be welded?
Excellent for TIG/MIG with 5A06 (AMg6) or 5556-type filler; keep interpass temperature low, no preheat beyond ~80 °C, and avoid long exposure above 65 °C to prevent β-phase sensitization.
Can 5A06 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the annealed state; allow for high springback and strong work hardening, use larger bend radii than 5052, and consider warm forming at 150–250 °C for deep draws.
5A06 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mg | 5.8 – 6.8 | 6.3 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Tigrain refiner | 0.02 – 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Be0.0001–0.005 % permitted, mainly for welding-wire product | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Others (each)total ≤0.10 % | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5A06?
Takes sulfuric clear and hard anodize (slightly grey tone), plus chromate-free Ti/Zr or chromate conversion for paint; degrease thoroughly since Mg-rich surfaces oxidize quickly.
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 5A06 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- LF6
How much does 5A06 cost?
5A06 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.
5A06 — frequently asked
What is 5A06 used for?
5A06 is typically used for aircraft welded structures, high-strength sheet parts and military vehicle panels. In short: high-strength weldable Al-Mg; no heat treatment required; stronger than 5A05.
What is the yield strength of 5A06?
5A06 has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 5A06 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades). Gummy in the O temper — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous emulsion or vegetable-oil coolant, and interrupt chips to prevent built-up edge.
Can 5A06 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent for TIG/MIG with 5A06 (AMg6) or 5556-type filler; keep interpass temperature low, no preheat beyond ~80 °C, and avoid long exposure above 65 °C to prevent β-phase sensitization.
What surface finishes work on 5A06?
Takes sulfuric clear and hard anodize (slightly grey tone), plus chromate-free Ti/Zr or chromate conversion for paint; degrease thoroughly since Mg-rich surfaces oxidize quickly.
Can 5A06 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the annealed state; allow for high springback and strong work hardening, use larger bend radii than 5052, and consider warm forming at 150–250 °C for deep draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5A06?
5A06 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 5A06-O and 5A06-H18?
O is the default condition — default stocked plate/sheet condition: maximum ductility and best corrosion/SCC behaviour for deep forming and welded structures. H18: full-hard thin sheet/strip for maximum strength flat parts; almost no bending capability and highest SCC sensitivity. Yield strength is 165 MPa in O versus 350 MPa in H18.
How much does 5A06 cost?
5A06 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 (5000 series) — 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.