Aluminum 5005 vs 5005A
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 5005 and 5005A are both aluminum grades. 5005A is the stronger of the two: yield strength 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 138 MPa (20 ksi) for 5005, about 9% more. In exchange, 5005 is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 6% for 5005A. 5005A runs hotter in service (150°C vs 120°C continuous). On the shop floor, 5005 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 5005A (standard, $$).
5005Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
5005AChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
5005 vs 5005A: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all aluminum grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all aluminum grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33 · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 62 MPa9 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 41 HB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 632°C1,170 °F · Liquidus Temperature 654°C1,209 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 200 W/m·K116 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 397 J/g171 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 52 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.83 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Same in both: Weldability 88 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 35%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 59 kN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 19
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 5005 | 5005A |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| Anodizing Type II | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| E-Coating | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE | Yes | — |
| Hard Anodizing Type III | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.
5005 vs 5005A — frequently asked
Is 5005A stronger than 5005?
Yes. 5005A has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 138 MPa (20 ksi) for 5005 — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) vs 159 MPa (23.1 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 5005 or 5005A?
5005 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 5005A is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 5005 or 5005A?
5005, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for 5005A.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5005 and 5005A side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.