Temper choice
H14 gives a firmer shank and is standard for solid rivets. Annealed (O) wire heads with less force and is used for large-diameter rivets or semi-tubular rivets that are rolled over.
Rivet wire guide
5A02 Aluminium Wire for Solid Rivets
5A02 is a Chinese-standard aluminium-magnesium alloy with about 2.5 % magnesium, close in character to 5052. Drawn into wire, usually in the H14 temper, it is cold-headed into solid rivets that are driven as received, need no heat treatment and resist corrosion well. This guide covers its chemistry, strength, equivalents, how it behaves on a heading machine and where 5A02 rivets make sense.
- Alloy
- 5A02 (formerly LF2)
- Temper
- H14 (O on request)
- Diameter
- 1.6 – 10 mm
- Shear strength
- about 115 MPa min
What is 5A02 rivet wire?
5A02 is listed in the Chinese wrought-alloy standard GB/T 3190, where it replaced the older designation LF2 (Russian AMg2 is a close relative). It is a non-heat-treatable Al-Mg alloy: strength comes from magnesium in solid solution and from cold drawing, not from ageing.
For rivet makers that matters in two ways. First, a 5A02 rivet is installed in the condition it is delivered in. There is no solution treatment before driving and no "icebox" storage, unlike 2017 or 2024 rivets, which must be driven soon after quenching or kept refrigerated. Second, the alloy sits close to structural aluminium in the galvanic series and contains almost no copper, so a 5A02 rivet does not become the weak point for corrosion in a marine or humid structure.
The trade-off is strength. 5A02 rivets carry roughly half the shear load of a 2A10 or 2024 rivet of the same diameter, so they are chosen for joints where corrosion resistance, easy driving and low cost matter more than load: lightly loaded aircraft fairings and interiors, boat fittings, electrical enclosures, vehicle trim and sheet-metal assemblies in Al-Mg alloys or magnesium sheet.
5A02 chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Limit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.0 – 2.8 | Main strengthening element |
| Manganese or chromium (Mn or Cr) | 0.15 – 0.40 | Grain control; either element may be used |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.40 | |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.40 | Si + Fe ≤ 0.60 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.10 | Kept low for corrosion resistance |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.15 | Grain refiner |
| Others each / total | ≤ 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Limits per GB/T 3190. The mill certificate reports the actual analysis for each heat.
Shear strength and riveting performance
Rivet wire is judged mainly on two tests rather than on tensile strength alone. A double-shear test on a length of wire shows the load a finished rivet shank can carry, and an upsetting (riveting) test checks that a sample can be headed without cracking.
| Property | 5A02-H14 wire | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Shear strength | ≥ 115 MPa (requirement commonly quoted for 1.6 – 10 mm) | Tested in double shear, e.g. to the method of ASTM B565 |
| Upsetting test | Sample upset to a head height of about 1.5 × diameter without cracks | Confirms cold-heading quality |
| Tensile strength (indicative) | about 225 – 275 MPa in H14 | Rises with drawing reduction |
| Density | 2.68 g/cm³ | About one third of steel |
For comparison, 1035 and 3A21 rivet wire offer lower shear strength, 5B05 and 5A06 more, and the heat-treatable 2A01, 2A10 and 7A03 grades much more. See the 5A06 rivet wire guide for the stronger Al-Mg option.
5A02 equivalents in other standards
| System | Nearest grade | How close |
|---|---|---|
| China (old designation) | LF2 | Identical |
| Russia (GOST) | AMg2 (1520) | Very close |
| Aluminum Association / ASTM | 5052 | Similar Mg; 5052 uses Cr 0.15 – 0.35 rather than Mn or Cr |
| Europe (EN) | EN AW-5052 (AlMg2.5) or 5251 (AlMg2) | Similar |
Where a drawing written to ASTM or EN standards asks for 5052 rivets, 5A02 is usually a technical match, but substitution should be agreed with the design authority because the standards differ in test methods and permitted manganese.
Cold heading 5A02 and what to order
Diameter tolerance
Rivet wire is drawn to tight tolerance, typically within a few hundredths of a millimetre, so that rivets fit their holes and heading dies fill consistently.
Surface
Free of cracks, laps, seams and pick-up; light oil is acceptable. Shallow scratches must stay within half the negative tolerance.
Coil form
Level-wound coils, typically 50 kg and above, on pallets or in cases, sized to the pay-off of the heading machine.
Lubrication
A light heading lubricant or soap coating reduces die wear and galling.
Testing
Chemistry, diameter, shear strength and upsetting tests per lot, reported on a 3.1 certificate.
Where 5A02 rivets are used
- Light aircraft and aerospace secondary parts: fairings, interior panels and equipment brackets where corrosion resistance outweighs shear strength
- Marine: joining 5xxx sheet in boat fittings, hatches and superstructure trim
- Electrical and electronics: enclosures, cabinets and heat-sink assemblies
- Transport: vehicle body trim, trailer panels and luggage racks
- Magnesium-alloy structures: low-copper Al-Mg rivets limit galvanic attack in magnesium sheet
- General sheet metal: ducting, signage and consumer goods
References and standards
- GB/T 3190 – Chemical composition of wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys
- GB/T 3195 – Aluminium and aluminium alloy drawn round wire (includes rivet wire)
- ASTM B316 – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rivet and Cold-Heading Wire and Rods
- ASTM B565 – Standard Test Method for Shear Testing of Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rivets and Cold-Heading Wire and Rods
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
5A02 rivet wire: frequently asked questions
Is 5A02 the same as 5052 aluminum?
They are close but not identical. Both contain about 2.5 % magnesium; 5A02 allows manganese or chromium for grain control, while 5052 specifies chromium. Many designs accept either, but substitution should be approved.
Do 5A02 rivets need heat treatment before driving?
No. 5A02 is not heat-treatable, so rivets are driven as delivered. That avoids the quench and refrigerated storage needed for 2017 and 2024 rivets.
What shear strength does 5A02 rivet wire have?
Rivet wire in H14 is commonly specified at a minimum of about 115 MPa in shear for diameters up to 10 mm. Check the edition of the standard on your purchase order for the exact requirement.
Which diameters are available?
Typically 1.6 – 10 mm for rivet wire, supplied in level-wound coils. Larger rod for machined fasteners can be supplied on request.
When should I choose 5A06 instead of 5A02?
Choose 5A06 when the joint needs more shear strength, or when riveting high-magnesium sheet such as 5A06 or 5083, while keeping an all-Al-Mg, corrosion-resistant joint.
Need 5A02 wire for rivet production?
Tell us the diameter, temper, tolerance and coil weight. Metline will confirm availability, test certificates and delivery.
