Aluminum 5005: Composition, Properties, Temper Guide & Applications

Comprehensive Overview

5005 is an alloy in the 5xxx series of aluminum-magnesiuM alloys, characterized primarily by magnesium as the principal alloying element. It sits in the non-heat-treatable family where strength is adjusted by cold working rather than precipitation hardening, and is generally specified under the Alloy 5000 (Al–Mg) grouping for corrosion-resistant, formable sheet products.

Major alloying elements in 5005 are magnesium (nominally a fraction of a percent to around 1.1%) with small controlled additions or limits of silicon, iron, copper, manganese, chromium, zinc and titanium. The strengthening mechanism is strain hardening (work hardening); it does not respond to T6-style heat treatments, so designers rely on tempering (H‑tempers) and cold-working to reach target strengths.

Key traits include good general corrosion resistance (better than 1xxx and many 3xxx alloys), good formability in annealed conditions, and good weldability with appropriate filler metals. Its combination of adequate strength, surface finishability (including anodizing), and reasonable cost makes it popular in architectural, decorative, and coated-sheet applications where extreme strength is not required.

Typical industries using 5005 include architectural cladding and curtain-wall systems, signage, truck and trailer panels, appliance trim, and some consumer goods that require anodizing and paint finishing. Engineers choose 5005 over other alloys when a balance of formability, finish quality and corrosion resistance is prioritized over maximal strength or high-temperature capability.

Temper Variants

Temper	Strength Level	Elongation	Formability	Weldability	Notes
O	Low	High	Excellent	Excellent	Fully annealed condition for forming and maximum ductility
H14	Medium	Moderate	Good	Very Good	Strain-hardened and partially annealed; common for shallow drawing
H16	Medium-High	Moderate	Good	Very Good	Higher degree of work-hardening than H14; improved strength
H22	Medium	Moderate	Good	Very Good	Strain-hardened and stabilized; less springback than H1x in thin gauges
H24	Medium-High	Moderate	Acceptable	Very Good	Strain-hardened and stabilized with increased yield
H32	Medium	Good	Good	Very Good	Strain-hardened and stabilized after low temper anneal
H34	Medium-High	Moderate	Good	Very Good	Higher work-hardening and better strength retention than H32

Tempering changes the balance between strength and ductility: annealed (O) provides maximum elongation for deep drawing, while H‑tempers produce higher yield and tensile strengths at the expense of some formability. The choice of temper is driven by the intended forming operations, with stabilized H2x or H3x tempers used to minimize post-fabrication property drift.

Chemical Composition

Element	% Range	Notes
Si	0.0–0.4	Controlled low silicon to limit casting/oxidation inclusions
Fe	0.0–0.7	Typical impurity; higher Fe reduces ductility and cosmetic finish
Mn	0.0–0.2	Minor; can aid in grain structure control
Mg	0.5–1.1	Principal strengthening element; improves corrosion resistance
Cu	0.0–0.2	Kept low to preserve corrosion resistance
Zn	0.0–0.2	Minor; higher levels reduce corrosion resistance
Cr	0.0–0.1	Trace control to limit grain growth and improve stability
Ti	0.0–0.2	Grain refiner in some product forms
Others	0.0–0.15	Residuals and trace elements (each/total limits)

Magnesium is the principal performance driver, raising strength through solid solution effects and improving corrosion resistance compared with near‑pure aluminium. Iron and silicon are controlled impurities that influence ductility and surface finish, while copper and zinc are limited because they tend to impair corrosion resistance. Small additions of Ti and Cr serve microstructural control roles but do not dominate bulk mechanical performance.

Mechanical Properties

Tensile behavior of 5005 is governed by the combination of magnesium content and the degree of cold work imparted; O temper shows low yield and high elongation while H‑tempers provide modest increases in yield and tensile strength with reduced ductility. The alloy typically exhibits linear elastic behavior to yield followed by modest strain hardening; ultimate tensile strength and yield vary with temper and thickness. Designers must account for gauge-dependent strength because thin sheets are often processed to higher strain levels leading to different mechanical baselines.

Yield strength in annealed 5005 is relatively low compared with 5xxx alloys engineered for structural use (e.g., 5083 or 5052), but yield increases consistently with work hardening; therefore yield can be tuned with temper selection and cold-forming schedules. Elongation in O condition is excellent for deep-drawing processes and remains workable in moderate H‑tempers used for formed panels. Hardness is modest and correlates with temper; hardness increases with cold work but remains significantly lower than typical heat-treatable 6xxx alloys.

Fatigue performance is acceptable for non-critical cyclic loadings but is inferior to some higher-strength 5xxx alloys due to lower baseline strength and lower strain-hardening capacity in certain tempers. Thickness effects are important: thin-gauge 5005 sheet that has been heavily cold-rolled can show substantially higher tensile and yield strengths compared with thicker plate of the same nominal temper. Surface condition (anodized, painted) and residual stresses from forming/welding also influence fatigue life.

Property	O/Annealed	Key Temper (e.g., H14/H24)	Notes
Tensile Strength	~90–160 MPa	~150–260 MPa	Wide ranges reflect temper and gauge; typical design values should be verified from mill certificates
Yield Strength	~35–85 MPa	~120–220 MPa	Yield rises with degree of cold work; H‑tempers commonly specified for formed parts
Elongation	~20–35%	~6–20%	Annealed shows highest elongation; H‑tempers trade ductility for strength
Hardness	~20–40 HB	~40–70 HB	Hardness correlates with temper; measured values depend on gauge and processing

Physical Properties

Property	Value	Notes
Density	2.66 g/cm³	Typical for aluminium alloys in the 5xxx family
Melting Range	~605–650 °C	Alloying widens melting interval relative to pure Al (660 °C)
Thermal Conductivity	~140–170 W/m·K	Lower than pure Al but still good for heat-spreading applications
Electrical Conductivity	~35–45 % IACS	Reduced from pure aluminium due to alloying; acceptable for bus and mild conductor use
Specific Heat	~900 J/kg·K	Typical aluminium value, useful in thermal mass calculations
Thermal Expansion	~23–24 µm/m·K (20–100 °C)	Similar to other Al–Mg alloys; important for joint design with dissimilar materials

The alloy’s density and thermal properties make it attractive where lightweight and heat-sinking are desired, such as architectural panels and some electronic housings. Thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity are lower than pure aluminium and 1xxx series alloys, but remain adequate for many thermal-management roles while providing improved mechanical and surface properties.

Product Forms

Form	Typical Thickness/Size	Strength Behavior	Common Tempers	Notes
Sheet	0.3–6 mm	Strength varies with temper and cold rolling	O, H14, H24	Widely used for architectural panels and decorative trim
Plate	>6 mm up to ~25 mm	Lower cold-work levels in thick plate reduce attainable strength	O, H32	Less common; used where thicker sections required but not heavy structural loads
Extrusion	Profiles up to several meters	Extruded profiles depend on cooling and post‑extrusion work	O, H22	Limited-profile use compared with 6xxx series; good surface finish for anodizing
Tube	0.5–6 mm wall	Forming and welding determine final strength	O, H14	Common for frames and decorative tubing with bending and forming
Bar/Rod	Diameters up to ~50 mm	Machined stock; strength depends on draw/cold work	O, H14	Used for turned components and fasteners where corrosion resistance and finish are required

Forming method and product form strongly influence achievable property combinations: sheet cold rolling enables higher H‑tempers with improved strength, while plate and extrusion typically remain closer to annealed conditions. Coatings and surface treatments (anodizing, PVDF coatings) are commonly applied to sheet and extrusions, requiring careful selection of temper and surface finish practices to avoid cosmetic defects.

Equivalent Grades

Standard	Grade	Region	Notes
AA	5005	USA	Aluminum Association designation commonly used in North American specifications
EN AW	5005A / EN AW‑5005	Europe	European nomenclature aligns closely; specific suffixes indicate product form and impurity limits
JIS	A5052 (note)	Japan	No exact one-to-one; JIS A5052 is a stronger Mg alloy so check chemistry and temper before substitution
GB/T	5005	China	Chinese standard designations commonly list 5005 with matching Al–Mg chemistry

Exact equivalence can be subtle due to differences in permitted impurity limits, mechanical-property testing methods, and temper nomenclature across standards. Always compare mill certificates for composition and temper-specific mechanical data rather than relying solely on designation. For critical structural applications, referencing the originating standard’s spec sheet prevents inadvertent substitution.

Corrosion Resistance

5005 exhibits good atmospheric corrosion resistance due to the protective aluminium oxide film and the beneficial effect of modest magnesium content on pitting resistance. It performs better than many 3xxx and 1xxx series alloys in outdoor architectural environments, particularly when anodized or coated, and it resists industrial atmospheres well where chlorides are not severe.

In marine environments 5005 is satisfactory for interior and mildly exposed exterior components but is outperformed by higher‑Mg structural alloys such as 5083 and 5086 for hull and primary structural applications. For splash or continuous immersion service, designers typically prefer the higher‑strength marine alloys or apply protective coatings to 5005 to control localized attack.

Stress corrosion cracking risk in Al–Mg alloys increases with Mg content and applied tensile stresses; 5005’s moderate Mg level gives relatively low SCC susceptibility compared with heavier Mg alloys, but stress relief and joint detail should still be considered in chloride-bearing environments. Galvanic interactions require attention: 5005 anodized or painted retains decent behavior, but coupling to stainless steel or copper without electrical isolation can accelerate local corrosion of aluminium.

Compared with 1100 series alloys, 5005 offers superior strength and improved general corrosion resistance while sacrificing some electrical conductivity and formability. Compared with specialized marine 5xxx alloys, 5005 offers lower peak strength but comparable resistance in non‑critical marine exposures.

Fabrication Properties

Weldability

5005 is readily welded with common fusion processes such as TIG (GTAW) and MIG (GMAW) when proper filler metals are selected. Fillers in the 5356 (Al‑5%Mg) family are commonly used to match corrosion resistance and maintain joint ductility; 4043 (Al‑5%Si) can be used for improved fluidity but may degrade anodize appearance. Because 5005 is non-heat-treatable, HAZ softening is less of a concern from precipitation effects, but local reduction of cold-work induced strength can occur in H‑tempers, producing weaker joints if not considered in design.

Machinability

Machinability of 5005 is moderate to fair compared with wrought Al alloys; it is generally easier than 1xxx and 3xxx families for some operations but inferior to many leaded free‑cutting variants. Carbide tooling at moderate cutting speeds with rigid fixturing is recommended, and operators should expect long continuous chips without chip-breaking features unless geometry or feed is adjusted. Coolant/lubrication is used selectively because aluminium has a tendency to gall on tool faces.

Formability

Formability is excellent in the annealed (O) condition and remains usable in many H‑tempers for moderate forming and bending operations. Typical minimum bend radii for sheet depend on temper and thickness but are often in the 1–2× material thickness range for mild bends in O temper, with larger radii advisable for H‑tempers to avoid cracking. Deep drawing operations favor O or lightly worked H‑tempers; springback in H‑tempers requires tool compensation.

Heat Treatment Behavior

5005 is a non-heat-treatable alloy; it cannot be strengthened by solution heat treatment and artificial aging processes used for 6xxx or 7xxx alloys. Strength adjustments are made by cold work (strain hardening) and by possible stabilization cycles to minimize property drift, so temper nomenclature (H1x, H2x, H3x) describes specific work‑hardening and stabilization states.

Full annealing (O) is achieved by heating to a suitable temperature to recrystallize and remove strain hardening — typical anneal ranges are in the 300–415 °C zone depending on product form and cooling rate — followed by controlled cooling to avoid distortion. H‑tempers are produced by cold working to specified degrees and, where required, by low-temperature treatments to stabilize properties; these work-hardening processes are reversible by annealing.

Because 5005 is not age-hardenable, designers must plan forming and finishing sequences to avoid unintentional softening or inadvertent loss of strength through localized heating (e.g., during welding) and should specify temper or post‑fabrication stabilizing operations when consistent mechanical performance is critical.

High-Temperature Performance

Strength in 5005 declines progressively with temperature; service temperatures above approximately 100–150 °C begin to reduce yield and tensile strengths appreciably because solid-solution strengthening becomes less effective at elevated temperature. For short-term exposures up to ~200 °C the alloy retains some mechanical capability, but prolonged exposure at these temperatures can lead to microstructural recovery and loss of work-hardening benefits.

Oxidation is limited to the formation of a protective aluminium oxide layer at elevated temperatures, so catastrophic oxidation is not a primary concern in typical service ranges, but scaled growth of oxide can affect surface finish for anodizing. Welded regions and HAZs near welds must be checked for reduced strength and potential distortion at elevated service temperature; designers should avoid high sustained working temperatures for components that rely on cold-worked strength.

Applications

Industry	Example Component	Why 5005 Is Used
Architectural	Cladding and facades	Good surface finishability, anodizing, and corrosion resistance
Marine / Recreational	Trim and non-structural panels	Corrosion resistance and lightweight for above-water components
Automotive / Transport	Exterior trim and trailer panels	Formability for complex shapes and paint/anodize compatibility
Electronics	Enclosures and housings	Thermal conductivity, surface finish and weight savings
Consumer Appliances	Decorative panels and bezels	Anodizing, paint adhesion and aesthetic quality

5005 is widely chosen where a combination of formability, surface finish and moderate strength is required rather than maximum structural capability. Its anodizing response and the ability to produce attractive architectural finishes make it a favored material for visual and protective cladding systems.

Selection Insights

5005 is a practical choice when you need an anodizeable, corrosion-resistant aluminium that forms well and has moderate strength without the cost or processing requirements of heat-treatable alloys. Choose O temper for deep drawing and complex forming, and select appropriate H‑tempers when higher in-service stiffness or yield is required.

Compared with 1100 (commercially pure), 5005 trades some electrical conductivity and slightly reduced formability for notably higher strength and better resistance to general corrosion. Compared with 3003 or 5052 (common work-hardened alloys), 5005 typically sits between them in terms of strength and offers superior finishability and anodizing appearance versus many other work-hardenable alloys. Compared with heat‑treatable alloys such as 6061 or 6063, 5005 will have lower peak strength but better intrinsic corrosion resistance and anodizing quality, so it is preferred where finish and atmospheric performance matter more than maximum structural strength.

Closing Summary

Alloy 5005 remains a versatile, non-heat-treatable Al–Mg alloy valued for its combination of formability, anodizing and paint finishability, and good general corrosion resistance. Its strength can be tailored by tempering and cold work, making it suitable for architectural, decorative, and many transport and consumer applications where appearance and corrosion behavior are prioritized over maximum structural capability.