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Anodising-quality automotive extrusions

5005 Automotive Aluminium Profiles and Extrusions

5005 is a low-magnesium aluminium alloy (0.5 – 1.1 % Mg) valued for its clean, even response to anodising, good formability and corrosion resistance. As F, O, H111 and H112 extrusions it is used for vehicle trim, window and door surrounds, rails, covers and other lightly loaded parts that must look good for years. Metline supplies 5005 profiles to EN 755, GB/T 33910 and customer drawings, worldwide.

Anodised aluminium extruded sections for vehicle trim
Alloy
5005 (Al-0.8Mg)
Tempers
F, O, H111, H112
Standards
EN 755-2 · GB/T 33910
Strength
Rm ≥ 100 MPa (O/H112)
Overview

What is 5005 aluminium?

5005 is the leanest of the common 5xxx alloys. Its magnesium content of 0.5 – 1.1 % is enough to raise strength above 1xxx and 3xxx grades, but low enough that the alloy behaves almost like pure aluminium in forming and finishing. It is non-heat-treatable: strength comes from magnesium in solid solution and, in rolled tempers, from cold work.

The property that sets 5005 apart is its anodising response. Because it contains very little iron-manganese or silicon-rich phases that cloud the oxide film, it gives a clear, uniform anodic coating that matches the colour of 6063 extrusions. That is why architects pair 5005 sheet with 6063 frames, and why vehicle designers use 5005 for trim parts that are anodised and placed next to other bright aluminium.

Extruded 5005 is less common than 5005 sheet, but it has a place in automotive work: thin trim mouldings, window channels, door sill covers, interior strips and rails where a profile shape is needed and appearance after anodising matters more than structural strength. It also suits parts that are bent or flared after extrusion, because O and H111 profiles are very ductile.

Chemical composition

5005 chemical composition (wt %)

5005 is registered with the Aluminum Association and appears in EN 573-3 as EN AW-5005 (AlMg1(B)). The variant EN AW-5005A has slightly tighter limits for decorative anodising. Each lot is certified with its measured analysis.

ElementMinimumMaximumRole in the alloy
Silicon (Si)—0.30Kept low for anodising clarity
Iron (Fe)—0.7Impurity; lower iron gives brighter finish
Copper (Cu)—0.20
Manganese (Mn)—0.20
Magnesium (Mg)0.501.1Solid-solution strengthening
Chromium (Cr)—0.10
Zinc (Zn)—0.25
Others, each / total—0.05 / 0.15
Aluminium (Al)RemainderAbout 97 – 99.5 %

Some product literature states that 5005 contains "5 % magnesium". That is incorrect: the limit is 0.5 – 1.1 %. Alloys with around 5 % magnesium are 5083, 5182 and 5056, which behave very differently.

Mechanical & physical properties

Mechanical properties of 5005 extrusions

The specified minimums below follow EN 755-2 for extruded 5005 profiles with wall thickness up to 25 mm. F temper (as fabricated) has no guaranteed properties; H112 is as extruded with tested minimums; O and H111 are annealed, with H111 allowing slight strain from straightening.

TemperWall (mm)Tensile strength RmYield strength Rp0.2Elongation AElongation A50
F—not specifiednot specified——
H112≤ 25≥ 100 MPa≥ 40 MPa≥ 18 %≥ 16 %
O / H111≤ 25100 – 150 MPa≥ 40 MPa≥ 20 %≥ 18 %

Typical results lie a little above the minimums: annealed 5005 usually shows about 125 MPa tensile and 40 – 50 MPa yield strength.

Physical properties (approximate)

Density
2.70 g/cm³
Melting range
about 630 – 655 °C
Thermal conductivity
about 200 W/m·K
Electrical conductivity
about 52 % IACS
Coefficient of thermal expansion
about 23.8 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
Modulus of elasticity
about 69 GPa
Tempers

Choosing between F, H112, H111 and O

5005-F

As extruded with no property guarantee. Economical for trim where only dimensions and finish matter and the part is not load-bearing.

5005-H112

As extruded with tested minimum properties. The default for automotive profiles that need a certificate showing strength.

5005-H111

Annealed and then lightly straightened. Good when the part will be bent or flared and must also be straight on delivery.

5005-O

Fully annealed for maximum ductility: tight bends, end-forming and roll-forming into curved mouldings.

Supply range

5005 profile sizes and surface finishes

Extrusion typeTypical size rangeTypical wall
Round tube25 – 250 mm OD3 – 19 mm
Square tube25 – 200 mm3 – 12 mm
Rectangular tube25 × 50 to 200 × 300 mm3 – 12 mm
Angle25 × 25 to 200 × 200 mm3 – 12 mm
T and U profiles25 – 150 mm legs3 – 12 mm
Trim and moulding profilesto drawingfrom about 1 mm

Typical supply range for 5005 profiles

Temper
F, H112, H111, O
Section types
Round, square and rectangular tube; angle, channel, T and I sections; flat bar; hollow and multi-cavity custom profiles to drawing
Size envelope
Small trim and tube sections up to large structural profiles; the feasible circumscribing circle and wall depend on the die and press, and are confirmed at quotation
Wall thickness
From about 1 mm on small sections; thicker walls on structural shapes
Length
Standard 6 m mill lengths; cut-to-length parts and longer lengths on request
Finish
Mill finish, anodised, anodised and electrophoretic lacquer, powder coated or wet painted
Processing
Precision sawing, punching, CNC machining, bending and deburring to drawing

Every custom profile is drawing-specific. Send the section drawing with critical dimensions and tolerances so feasibility can be confirmed.

Tolerances & quality

Tolerances and finish quality

Unless the drawing states tighter values, profile dimensions follow the general tolerance tables of the order standard. Automotive programmes often add their own limits on critical features such as mounting faces, wall thickness at crush zones and twist over the part length. For anodised trim, surface quality is often the critical requirement: agree a limit sample for die lines, streaks and colour variation before series production.

Tolerance and inspection references

Cross-section tolerances
EN 755-9 (profiles), ASTM B221 with ANSI H35.2, or GB/T 14846 for orders to Chinese standards
Straightness and twist
Per the same tables, or as agreed for long automotive parts
Surface quality
Visible faces free of die lines, pick-up and blisters beyond the agreed limit sample
Mechanical testing
Tensile test per lot to ISO 6892-1 or ASTM B557; hardness checks on request
Certification
EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate with chemistry and mechanical results
Working with 5005

Anodising, forming, welding and machining

Anodising

Gives a clear, even film suitable for natural, black and coloured finishes. Specify anodising quality material and film thickness (for example 10 – 25 µm for exterior trim).

Bending and flaring

O and H111 profiles bend tightly and flare easily. H112 bends well with appropriate radii.

Welding

Weldable by TIG and MIG with ER5356 filler; weld colour after anodising will differ slightly from the base metal.

Machining

Soft and gummy; use sharp, polished tools with high rake and lubricant.

Painting and coating

Accepts powder coat and wet paint after conversion coating.

Heat treatment

Not heat-treatable. Annealing only restores ductility; it does not add strength.

Applications

Where 5005 profiles are used in vehicles

  • Exterior trim: window surrounds, belt-line mouldings and decorative strips, anodised to match other bright parts
  • Roof rails and rack trims: light-duty rails and end caps where appearance dominates
  • Door sills and scuff plates: anodised or brushed covers
  • Interior trim: dashboard and door inserts, seat trims and console strips
  • Bus, coach and caravan bodies: trim, edge and joint profiles
  • Covers and guards: lightly loaded covers and ducts that are formed after extrusion

5005 is not a structural or crash alloy. For load-bearing parts, use a heat-treatable 6xxx grade such as 6063 or 6082.

Comparison

5005 compared with 6063, 5052 and 3003

Property5005-H1126063-T55052-H1123003-H112
Typical tensile strengthabout 125 MPaabout 185 MPaabout 195 MPaabout 110 MPa
Heat-treatableNoYesNoNo
Decorative anodisingExcellentExcellentGood (yellowish tint)Fair (grey)
FormabilityVery goodGoodGoodVery good
ExtrudabilityGoodExcellentFairVery good

6063 is the default for decorative profiles and is stronger; 5005 is chosen when a profile must be heavily formed after extrusion, or must match 5005 sheet exactly after anodising.

Ordering

How to order 5005 profiles

  1. SpecifyAlloy and temper (for example 5005-H112), section drawing, length, finish and colour, quantity and annual volume.
  2. Confirm the standardEN 755-2 and EN 755-9, GB/T 33910, or your material specification; for anodised parts, the film class and limit sample.
  3. QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerances, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your plant or port.
  4. Process and inspectProfiles are cut, finished as ordered, inspected for dimensions and appearance, and packed with interleaving to protect visible faces.
  5. Document and shipEach lot ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate, lot traceability and a packing list, in seaworthy export packing. Third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
Sources

References and standards

  1. The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
  2. EN 755-2 – Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties
  3. EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
  4. GB/T 33910-2017 – Aluminium and aluminium alloy extruded profiles for automobiles
  5. ISO 7599 – Anodizing of aluminium and its alloys: method for specifying decorative and protective anodic oxidation coatings
FAQ

5005 automotive aluminium (aluminum) profiles: frequently asked questions

How much magnesium does 5005 contain?

0.50 – 1.1 %. It is the leanest common 5xxx alloy, not a 5 % magnesium alloy.

Can 5005 extrusions be heat treated?

No. 5005 is non-heat-treatable. Strength comes from magnesium in solid solution; annealing only softens it.

Why use 5005 instead of 6063 for trim?

When the part is heavily formed after extrusion, or must match 5005 sheet exactly after anodising. Otherwise 6063 is stronger and easier to extrude.

What is the difference between H111 and O?

Both are annealed. H111 has a small amount of strain from straightening or stretching, which keeps long profiles straight; properties are practically the same.

What strength does 5005-H112 extrusion have?

EN 755-2 specifies at least 100 MPa tensile and 40 MPa yield strength for walls up to 25 mm, with elongation of 16 – 18 % or more.

Do you ship 5005 profiles internationally?

Yes. Metline supplies 5005 profiles worldwide from Mumbai with 3.1 certificates and export packing, on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.

Need 5005 profiles for vehicle trim?

Send the drawing, temper, finish and volume. We will reply with feasibility, certification and a delivered price.