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Anodising-quality Al-Mg sheet

5005 Aluminium Sheet

5005 is a low-magnesium aluminium sheet alloy chosen when appearance after anodising matters as much as strength. It gives an even, clear anodic finish that blends with 6063 extrusions, forms easily and resists weathering. Metline supplies 5005 sheet and coil in O, H14, H24, H32 and H34 tempers to ASTM B209 and EN 485, cut to size and shipped worldwide.

5005 aluminium sheets with protective film ready for anodising
Alloy
5005 (Al-Mg 0.8)
Tempers
O, H14, H24, H32, H34
Thickness
0.3 – 6 mm sheet, plate on request
Standards
ASTM B209 · EN 485 · EN 573-3
Overview

What is 5005 aluminium sheet?

5005 is the leanest of the common 5xxx alloys: it contains only about 0.5 – 1.1 % magnesium, roughly a third of the magnesium in 5052. That small addition makes it noticeably stronger than 1100 or 3003 while keeping the clean, bright metal that anodisers prefer.

Because 5005 carries very little iron-bearing or manganese-bearing intermetallic material, its anodic film forms evenly and stays clear. Manganese-rich 3003 tends to give a slightly yellow or cloudy tone after anodising; 5005 does not, which is why architects specify it for cladding panels, soffits, column covers and trims that must match anodised 6063 window and curtain-wall sections on the same elevation.

The alloy cannot be heat-treated. Its strength comes from the magnesium in solid solution and from cold rolling, expressed in the H tempers. In H32 and H34 it bends cleanly, takes roll-forming and folding without cracking, and stays flat on large panels. It also welds well with standard 5xxx filler wire, although welded areas show a colour change after anodising and are usually kept out of sight.

Chemical composition

5005 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits follow the Aluminum Association registration, mirrored by EN 573-3 for EN AW-5005 (AlMg1(B)). For premium architectural work, producers often supply an "anodising quality" (AQ) variant with tighter control of iron and silicon; state this on the order if colour uniformity across many panels is critical.

ElementMinimumMaximumComment
Silicon (Si)—0.30Kept low to avoid grey tones after anodising
Iron (Fe)—0.70Lower iron improves film clarity
Copper (Cu)—0.20
Manganese (Mn)—0.20Low Mn keeps the anodised colour neutral
Magnesium (Mg)0.501.10Strengthening element
Chromium (Cr)—0.10
Zinc (Zn)—0.25
Others, each / total—0.05 / 0.15
Aluminium (Al)RemainderAbout 97 – 99 %
Mechanical & physical properties

5005 mechanical properties by temper

Typical values come from published handbook data; the specified ranges are what ASTM B209 or EN 485-2 guarantee for sheet and are the values to design to. Ranges narrow slightly with thickness, and the mill certificate shows the actual results for your lot.

TemperTypical tensileTypical yield (0.2 %)Typical elongationSpecified tensile range (sheet)
O (annealed)124 MPa41 MPa25 – 30 %105 – 145 MPa
H32138 MPa117 MPa11 %115 – 160 MPa (min. yield 85 MPa)
H34159 MPa138 MPa8 %140 – 180 MPa (min. yield 105 MPa)
H36179 MPa165 MPa6 %160 – 200 MPa
H14 / H24≈ 160 MPa≈ 130 – 140 MPa4 – 8 %145 – 185 MPa

Specified ranges summarised from ASTM B209 and EN 485-2; check the table for your exact thickness band. Typical values are not design allowables.

Physical properties

Density
2.70 g/cm³
Modulus of elasticity
68.9 GPa
Thermal conductivity
about 200 W/m·K
Electrical conductivity
about 52 % IACS
Coefficient of thermal expansion
23.8 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
Melting range
about 630 – 655 °C
Tempers

Choosing the right 5005 temper

5005-H34

Strain hardened and stabilised to half-hard. The usual temper for anodised cladding and composite-panel skins: stiff enough to stay flat on large panels, ductile enough for folded returns.

5005-H32

Quarter-hard and stabilised. Easier to fold and roll-form than H34; used for cassette panels with tight returns and for trims.

5005-H14 / H24

Half-hard, either cold-rolled direct (H14) or over-rolled and partially annealed (H24). H24 gives better bendability than H14 at similar strength, which helps tight folds.

5005-O

Fully annealed for deep drawing, spinning and pressings such as lighting reflector housings and cookware lids.

Anodising quality

A controlled-chemistry, controlled-surface variant for colour-critical work. Ask for it, and order all panels for one facade from the same production lot.

Pre-anodised coil

If you do not want to anodise after fabrication, see our anodised sheet range, where 5005 is a common base metal.

Standards

5005 standards and international equivalents

SystemDesignationSheet / plate standard
Aluminum Association / ASTM5005ASTM B209 (ASME SB-209)
UNSA95005—
European (EN)EN AW-5005 / EN AW-AlMg1(B)EN 485-1/-2/-4, EN 573-3
Close European variantEN AW-5005A / AlMg1(C)Slightly different limits; check before substituting
German Werkstoff3.3315DIN EN 485
ISOAlMg1ISO 6361
Japan (JIS)A5005PJIS H4000
China (GB)5005GB/T 3880, GB/T 3190

An alloy number alone is not a specification. Put the standard, edition, temper and thickness tolerance class on your purchase order, together with any anodising-quality or surface requirement, so the certificate can confirm compliance.

Supply range

5005 sheet sizes and weights

Supply range

Thickness
0.3 – 6 mm sheet and coil; plate above 6 mm on request
Width
1000, 1220, 1250, 1500 mm; wider coil on request
Length
2000, 2440, 2500, 3000 mm, cut-to-length from coil, or blanks to drawing
Surface
Mill finish, anodising quality, brushed, PVC film one or both sides
Processing
Slitting, cut-to-length, shearing, laser and waterjet blanks

Weight is 2.70 kg per square metre per millimetre of thickness. Use the plate weight calculator for other sizes.

Thickness (mm)kg per m²1220 × 2440 mm (kg)1250 × 2500 mm (kg)1500 × 3000 mm (kg)
0.51.354.04.26.1
0.71.895.65.98.5
0.82.166.46.89.7
12.708.08.412.2
1.23.249.610.114.6
1.54.0512.112.718.2
25.4016.116.924.3
2.56.7520.121.130.4
38.1024.125.336.5
410.8032.133.848.6
513.5040.242.260.8
616.2048.250.672.9
Tolerances & inspection

Tolerances, surface quality and inspection

Thickness, width, length and flatness follow ASTM B209 (ANSI H35.2) or EN 485-4 for cold-rolled sheet. For facade work the surface matters more than the dimensional class: rolling lines, scratches and handling marks show through an anodic film rather than being hidden by it.

  • Specify which face is the visible face and whether PVC film is needed on it
  • Ask for sheets from one cast or production lot for each elevation to keep the colour consistent
  • Agree a reference anodised sample before the full order is processed
  • Check flatness requirements for large composite or cassette panels
  • Every lot carries an EN 10204 3.1 certificate with chemistry and tensile results
Working with 5005

Forming, joining and finishing 5005

Bending

In H32 an inside bend radius of about 0.5 – 1 × thickness is usually achievable for thin sheet; H34 needs slightly more. Bend across the rolling direction where possible.

Anodising

Anodise after forming. Clear and bronze/black two-step colours are common. Pre-treat consistently: etch time strongly affects the final gloss.

Welding

TIG and MIG weld well with ER5356 or ER4043. Welds and heat-affected zones look different after anodising, so plan joints on hidden faces.

Painting

Takes PVDF and polyester coil and powder coatings after chromate-free conversion treatment.

Machining

Soft and gummy in O temper; harder tempers cut better with sharp, polished tooling and lubricant.

Corrosion

Good resistance in most atmospheres. Isolate from copper and carbon steel and avoid alkaline mortar contact on site.

Applications

Where 5005 sheet is used

  • Architecture: anodised cladding, soffits, fascias, column covers, louvres and interior wall panels
  • Composite panels: skins for aluminium composite and honeycomb panels
  • Electronics: device housings, laptop and appliance trims where a fine anodised finish is wanted
  • Lighting: reflector bodies and luminaire housings
  • Transport interiors: rail and bus interior linings, trims and signage
  • Consumer goods: cookware, utensils and furniture components
  • Electrical: conductor and busbar uses where moderate strength and good conductivity are both needed
Comparison

5005 compared with 3003, 5052 and 1050

Property5005-H343003-H145052-H321050-H14
Typical tensile strength159 MPa150 MPa228 MPa110 MPa
Anodised appearanceVery good, clearFair, slightly yellowGood, slight yellow tintVery good
FormabilityVery goodVery goodGoodExcellent
Seawater resistanceGoodGoodVery goodGood
Typical useAnodised facadesGeneral sheet, roofingMarine, tanksSigns, reflectors

If you need more strength or will put the panel in direct marine spray, step up to 5052. If appearance is everything and strength is not, 1050 gives an even brighter finish. For painted rather than anodised panels, 3003 or 3105 is often the more economical choice.

Ordering

How to order 5005 sheet

  1. SpecifyAlloy and temper (e.g. 5005-H34), thickness, size or coil width, quantity, standard (ASTM B209 or EN 485), surface quality and film, and whether the sheet will be anodised.
  2. QuoteWe confirm alloy, temper, tolerances, certification, packing and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your destination.
  3. ProcessSheets are cut, filmed and inspected for surface and dimensions; slitting or blanking to drawing on request.
  4. DocumentEach delivery carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with the cast analysis and mechanical test results; third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
  5. ShipSheets and plates are interleaved or film-protected, packed in seaworthy wooden cases or on pallets, and shipped by sea or air on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
Sources

References and standards

  1. ASTM B209 – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
  2. EN 485-1 to -4 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: sheet, strip and plate (technical conditions, mechanical properties, tolerances)
  3. EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
  4. The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets)
  5. ASM Handbook, Volume 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials
FAQ

5005 aluminium (aluminum) sheet: frequently asked questions

Why is 5005 preferred to 3003 for anodising?

3003 contains about 1 – 1.5 % manganese, which forms particles that give the anodic film a cloudy or yellowish tone. 5005 has very little manganese, so its film stays clear and matches anodised 6063 extrusions far more closely.

What is the difference between 5005-H32 and H34?

Both are strain hardened and stabilised. H32 is quarter-hard (about 115 – 160 MPa tensile) and bends more easily; H34 is half-hard (about 140 – 180 MPa) and stays flatter on large panels.

Is 5005 suitable for marine environments?

It performs well in coastal atmospheres, especially when anodised. For parts in direct splash or immersion, 5052, 5754 or 5083 offer more strength and better long-term seawater resistance.

Can 5005 be heat-treated to make it stronger?

No. 5005 is non-heat-treatable; strength is set by cold work. Heating only softens it towards the O temper.

How much does a 5005 sheet weigh?

A 1220 × 2440 × 3 mm sheet weighs about 24.1 kg, and a 1250 × 2500 × 2 mm sheet about 16.9 kg, based on 2.70 g/cm³.

What is the European designation of 5005?

EN AW-5005, chemical symbol AlMg1(B), Werkstoff 3.3315. EN AW-5005A is a close variant with slightly different limits.

Need 5005 sheet for anodised panels?

Tell us the temper, thickness, panel size, quantity and finish. We will confirm availability, certification and a delivered price.