O / H111
Annealed for deep forming, spinning and dished tank heads. H111 carries a small amount of strain from levelling.
Aerospace · Al-Mg alloy for warm service
5454 Aerospace Aluminium Sheet & Plate
5454 is the aluminium-magnesium alloy engineers choose when a welded, corrosion-resistant structure will run warm. With magnesium held below 3 %, it can work continuously above 65 °C, where 5083 and 5086 risk sensitisation. Metline supplies 5454 sheet and plate in O, H111, H112, H22/H32 and H24/H34 tempers to ASTM B209 and legacy QQ-A-250/10, to customers worldwide.
- Alloy
- 5454 (Al-2.7Mg-0.75Mn)
- Tempers
- O, H111, H112, H32, H34
- Thickness
- About 0.5 – 80 mm
- Standards
- ASTM B209 · QQ-A-250/10
Why 5454 exists, and where it is used in aerospace
The strongest 5xxx alloys contain 4 – 5 % magnesium. That magnesium gives strength, but if the metal sits at moderately raised temperatures for long periods it can precipitate along grain boundaries and make the alloy vulnerable to intergranular and stress corrosion. 5454 was developed to avoid that: about 2.7 % magnesium with 0.5 – 1.0 % manganese gives the best strength available in an Al-Mg alloy that is safe for sustained warm service.
In aerospace, 5454 is a support-and-ground material rather than an airframe alloy. It is used for welded tanks and vessels that hold heated fluids, such as de-icing fluid heaters, hot-water and fuel-conditioning tanks; for ducting and enclosures near engines or exhausts on ground power units and test cells; for heat-exchanger shells; and for wheels, chassis members and bodies on airport vehicles and ground support equipment.
Its weldability is excellent, its strength is about 20 % higher than 5052, and it keeps good toughness. Where the structure always runs cool, 5083 or 5086 gives more strength; where it runs warm, 5454 is the safer specification.
5454 chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role in the alloy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.25 | Impurity |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.40 | Impurity |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 | Kept low for corrosion resistance |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.50 | 1.0 | Adds strength without raising sensitisation risk |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.4 | 3.0 | Strengthening element, held below 3 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.05 | 0.20 | Grain control, stress-corrosion resistance |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.25 | Impurity |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.20 | Grain refiner |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | About 94.5 – 97.1 % |
Registered Aluminum Association limits, followed by ASTM B209 and EN 573-3 (EN AW-5454, AlMg3Mn).
Mechanical properties of 5454 sheet and plate
Specified minimums from ASTM B209 are what you design to; the thickness band changes the elongation requirement more than the strength.
| Temper | Thickness (mm) | Tensile strength (MPa) | Yield strength (MPa, min) | Elongation (min, %) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | 0.50 – 80 | 215 – 285 | 85 | 12 – 18 (rises with thickness) |
| H32 / H22 | 0.50 – 50 | 250 – 305 | 180 | 5 – 12 |
| H34 / H24 | 0.50 – 25 | 270 – 325 | 200 | 4 – 10 |
| H112 | 6.3 – 12.5 | 220 min | 125 | 8 |
| H112 | 12.5 – 80 | 215 min | 85 | — |
| Temper | Typical tensile | Typical yield | Typical elongation | Brinell hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | 250 MPa / 36 ksi | 117 MPa / 17 ksi | 22 % | About 62 HB |
| H32 | 276 MPa / 40 ksi | 207 MPa / 30 ksi | 10 % | About 73 HB |
| H34 | 303 MPa / 44 ksi | 241 MPa / 35 ksi | 10 % | About 81 HB |
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.69 g/cm³ (0.097 lb/in³)
- Modulus of elasticity
- About 70 GPa (10,200 ksi)
- Thermal conductivity
- About 134 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity
- About 34 % IACS
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- About 23.6 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Melting range
- About 600 – 645 °C
Choosing a 5454 temper
H112
As rolled with guaranteed minimums. The usual condition for thicker plate cut into flanges, bases and machined fittings.
H32 / H22
Quarter-hard. The standard temper for welded tank shells, ducting and panels; H22 is partly annealed and slightly more ductile.
H34 / H24
Half-hard. Higher strength for flat panels and bodies with gentle bends.
Not heat treatable
5454 cannot be solution treated and aged. Claims that it can be hardened by heat treatment are wrong; strength comes from cold work.
No H116 temper
Marine-tested H116 and H321 tempers under ASTM B928 apply to 5083, 5086 and 5456, not 5454, which does not need sensitisation testing.
5454 standards and international designations
| System | Designation / standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM / ASME | ASTM B209 (ASME SB-209) | Sheet and plate |
| US Federal (legacy) | QQ-A-250/10 | 5454 sheet and plate; superseded by ASTM B209 |
| UNS | A95454 | — |
| European | EN AW-5454 (AlMg3Mn), EN 485 | Sheet, strip and plate |
| German Werkstoff | 3.3537 | — |
| Japan | A5454P | JIS H4000 |
| Extrusions | ASTM B221, EN 755 | For matching profiles and tube |
5454 sizes and weights
Supply range
- Thickness
- Sheet about 0.5 – 6 mm; plate 6 – 80 mm
- Width
- 1000 – 2000 mm; wider by enquiry
- Length
- 2000 – 6000 mm, longer plate by enquiry, or cut to size
- Surface
- Mill finish; PVC film on request
- Processing
- Shearing, sawing, waterjet cutting and blanking to drawing
| Thickness (mm) | kg per m² | 1220 × 2440 mm (kg) | 1500 × 3000 mm (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.69 | 8.0 | 12.1 |
| 1.5 | 4.04 | 12.0 | 18.2 |
| 2 | 5.38 | 16.0 | 24.2 |
| 3 | 8.07 | 24.0 | 36.3 |
| 4 | 10.76 | 32.0 | 48.4 |
| 5 | 13.45 | 40.0 | 60.5 |
| 6 | 16.14 | 48.0 | 72.6 |
| 8 | 21.52 | 64.1 | 96.8 |
| 10 | 26.90 | 80.1 | 121.0 |
| 12 | 32.28 | 96.1 | 145.3 |
| 16 | 43.04 | 128.1 | 193.7 |
| 20 | 53.80 | 160.2 | 242.1 |
| 25 | 67.25 | 200.2 | 302.6 |
| 30 | 80.70 | 240.2 | 363.1 |
| 40 | 107.60 | 320.3 | 484.2 |
| 50 | 134.50 | 400.4 | 605.2 |
Welding, forming and service temperature
Welding
Weld with ER5554, which has a matching magnesium level and is recommended for warm service. ER5356 is acceptable for parts that run cool, as its 5 % magnesium deposit can sensitise above 65 °C.
Forming
O temper forms like 5052. H32 bends to about 1 – 1.5 × thickness in thin sheet; allow more for H34 and for plate.
Temperature
Suitable for continuous service up to roughly 150 °C, with strength falling gradually as temperature rises.
Machining
Fair; harder tempers machine more cleanly. Sharp, polished carbide tools and good coolant prevent built-up edge.
How 5454 compares with neighbouring Al-Mg grades:
| Property | 5052-H32 | 5454-H32 | 5086-H32 | 5083-H321 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical tensile strength | 228 MPa | 276 MPa | 290 MPa | 317 MPa |
| Typical yield strength | 193 MPa | 207 MPa | 207 MPa | 228 MPa |
| Continuous service above 65 °C | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Recommended filler | ER5356 | ER5554 | ER5356 | ER5183 |
Typical aerospace and support uses
- Heated tanks: de-icing fluid heaters, hot-water and fuel-conditioning tanks on GSE
- Engine-area enclosures on ground equipment: ground power unit and air-start unit housings and ducts
- Heat-exchanger shells and welded pressure vessels for test cells
- Airport vehicles: wheels, chassis members, tanker and catering-truck bodies
A typical example is a de-icing truck: the heated fluid tank is welded from 5454-H32 plate with ER5554 filler, because the fluid is held warm for long periods and a 5083 tank would risk sensitisation.
How to order 5454 plate
- SpecifyAlloy and temper, thickness, width and length or a cutting list, quantity and the governing specification with its revision (ASTM B209 or QQ-A-250/10).
- ConfirmWe confirm the specification can be met, the tolerance class, any extra tests and the delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- InspectMaterial is checked for dimensions and surface condition; tests named on the order are carried out or arranged with an independent laboratory.
- DocumentEach lot ships with a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 showing chemistry and mechanical results, traceable to the cast or lot number.
- Pack and shipExport packing in sealed, moisture-protected wooden cases, crates or pallets, shipped by sea or air to your port or door.
References and standards
- ASTM B209 – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
- QQ-A-250/10 – Aluminum Alloy 5454, Plate and Sheet (US federal specification, cancelled for new design)
- AWS A5.10 – Welding consumables: wire electrodes, wires and rods for welding of aluminum and aluminum alloys
- EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials
5454 aerospace aluminium (aluminum) plate: FAQs
Why choose 5454 instead of 5083?
Because it can run warm. 5083 has about 4.5 % magnesium and can become susceptible to intergranular and stress corrosion after long exposure above 65 °C. 5454, with under 3 % magnesium, is suitable for sustained elevated-temperature service.
Is 5454 heat treatable?
No. It is strengthened by cold work only. Heat can anneal it or stabilise it, not harden it.
Which filler wire should be used for 5454?
ER5554 is recommended, especially for warm service. ER5356 can be used for parts that stay below 65 °C.
Is 5454 used in aircraft structure?
Not in primary airframe structure. It is used in heated tanks, ground equipment, enclosures and vehicles that support aircraft operations.
What does QQ-A-250/10 cover?
It is the legacy US federal specification for 5454 plate and sheet. It has been superseded by ASTM B209, but older drawings still reference it.
Need 5454 plate for a heated tank or GSE build?
Send the temper, size, quantity, specification and destination. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
