Aluminum 5A12-H14
Temper
GB 5A12
H14 = strain hardened, half hard
Cold-rolled half-hard sheet when higher strength and stiffness of thin skins is needed and only mild forming is required.
Values for the H14 condition
Other 5A12 tempers and conditions
5A12 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 5A12.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Forging stock, billet and rough extrusion supplied without guaranteed mechanical properties, for subsequent working and annealing. | 205 | 395 | 15 | 95 HB | 25 % IACS |
ODefault Annealed | Most commonly stocked condition: maximum ductility for forming, bending and welding of high-Mg sheet/plate. | 210 | 400 | 18 | 95 HB | 25 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Thick plate and extruded shapes supplied as hot-worked with guaranteed properties; used for machined aerospace structural parts. | 230 | 410 | 15 | 100 HB | 25 % IACS |
H14This page Strain hardened, half hard | Cold-rolled half-hard sheet when higher strength and stiffness of thin skins is needed and only mild forming is required. | 350 | 460 | 8 | 120 HB | — |
Strain hardened, full hard | Fully cold-worked strip/sheet for flat, high-strength, non-formed parts; lowest ductility and highest SCC sensitivity. | 440 | 520 | 4 | 140 HB | 24 % IACS |
What is 5A12-H14?
5A12-H14 is 5A12 in the H14 temper — cold-rolled half-hard sheet when higher strength and stiffness of thin skins is needed and only mild forming is required. 5A12-H14 has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 83% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 5A12-H14 has a density of 2.6 g/cm³ (0.0939 lb/in³), lighter than 97% of aluminum grades. It melts at 565°C (1,049 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H14 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 350 MPa (50.8 ksi), better than 83% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 60°C (140 °F), worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 25 % IACS, worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 105 W/m·K (60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
5A12-H14 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5A12-H14; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5A12 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5A12-H14 has a density of 2.6 g/cm³ (0.0939 lb/in³), lighter than 97% of aluminum grades. It melts at 565°C (1,049 °F).
Mechanical13
5A12-H14 has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 83% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
5A12-H14 is rated for continuous service to 60°C (140 °F). It conducts heat at 105 W/m·K (60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 25 µm/m·K (13.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5A12-H14 conducts electricity at 25 % IACS, worse than 92% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 51% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5A12-H14 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
5A12-H14's machinability is fair (52/100, worse than 63% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5A12-H14
Is 5A12 easy to machine?
Machine with sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high rake, high speed and generous flood coolant/lubricant; annealed material is gummy and forms built-up edge, cold-worked tempers cut cleaner.
Can 5A12 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 or 5556 (high-Mg) filler under clean argon; avoid 4000 series Si fillers (brittle Mg2Si) and keep interpass temperature low to limit sensitization; as-welded HAZ strength ≈ O temper.
Can 5A12 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the O temper — the alloy work-hardens very fast; use generous bend radii (≥2–3 t), warm forming 200–250 °C for severe shapes, and intermediate anneal ~340–380 °C with slow cool.
What surface finishes work on 5A12?
Responds well to clear sulphuric/chromic anodizing and chromate/trivalent conversion coatings; alkaline etch times must be short because of high Mg; not furnace-brazeable, mechanical polish then anodize for decorative finish.
5A12 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgprimary solid-solution strengthener | 8.3 – 9.6 | 9 |
| Mngrain-structure control | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Tigrain refiner | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Siimpurity | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Cuimpurity | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Bemelt oxidation control (optional addition) | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
5A12-H14 — frequently asked
What is 5A12-H14 used for?
5A12-H14 is typically used for aerospace structural components, high-strength welded assemblies, airframe sheet and plate parts, welded frames and brackets, riveted structural fittings and highly loaded lightweight covers. In short: highest-strength Al-Mg grade; hardest 5000 series in library; limited availability, low formability.
What is the yield strength of 5A12-H14?
5A12-H14 has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 83% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 5A12-H14 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, worse than 63% of aluminum grades). Machine with sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high rake, high speed and generous flood coolant/lubricant; annealed material is gummy and forms built-up edge, cold-worked tempers cut cleaner.
Can 5A12-H14 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 or 5556 (high-Mg) filler under clean argon; avoid 4000 series Si fillers (brittle Mg2Si) and keep interpass temperature low to limit sensitization; as-welded HAZ strength ≈ O temper.
What surface finishes work on 5A12-H14?
Responds well to clear sulphuric/chromic anodizing and chromate/trivalent conversion coatings; alkaline etch times must be short because of high Mg; not furnace-brazeable, mechanical polish then anodize for decorative finish.
Can 5A12-H14 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the O temper — the alloy work-hardens very fast; use generous bend radii (≥2–3 t), warm forming 200–250 °C for severe shapes, and intermediate anneal ~340–380 °C with slow cool.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5A12-H14?
5A12-H14 is rated for continuous use to about 60°C (140 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 5A12-O and 5A12-H18?
O is the default condition — most commonly stocked condition: maximum ductility for forming, bending and welding of high-Mg sheet/plate. H18: fully cold-worked strip/sheet for flat, high-strength, non-formed parts; lowest ductility and highest SCC sensitivity. Yield strength is 210 MPa in O versus 440 MPa in H18.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B: Corrosion — Materials (Al-Mg sensitization/SCC) — 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.