5005 aluminum
Temper- and finish-specific reference for 5005 aluminum sheet, property limits, forming and anodising quality.
Tags: materials, aluminum, sheet-metal, anodizing
On this page
Identify alloy, temper and surface quality
Novelis describes its anodizing product J57S UP as EN AW-5005A in the narrative and EN AW-5005 in the specification panel. Confirm the offered designation and certificate before ordering. Its proprietary surface-quality claims apply to J57S UP. Novelis product and specification panel
5005 is a registered wrought aluminium-magnesium alloy. The Aluminum Association's Teal Sheets, revised December 2025, give 0.50–1.10% magnesium by mass, with maxima of 0.30% silicon, 0.70% iron, 0.20% copper, 0.20% manganese, 0.10% chromium and 0.25% zinc. Aluminium is the remainder, subject to the other-element limits. These are chemistry limits, not a delivered lot analysis. Aluminum Association registration
The record lists 5005A separately, with differences including lower iron and copper maxima. Retain the suffix and designation system when ordering. A supplier's description of a decorative aluminium sheet does not establish that its full chemistry, temper or processing history matches another product. Teal Sheets, 5005 and 5005A entries
A complete callout states alloy, temper, product form, thickness and tolerances, finish quality, specification/edition and required certification. If appearance after anodising matters, include that requirement before purchasing stock. “5005 sheet” alone does not define a cosmetic finish or an accepted colour range.
Temper controls strength and forming response
5005 belongs to the strain-hardenable 5xxx family. The Australian Aluminium Council's Rolled Products Manual, January 2024, distinguishes O annealed material from H tempers: H1 denotes strain hardening only, H2 includes partial annealing and H3 includes stabilisation. The second digit describes the degree of hardening; H14 and H34 therefore do not describe identical processing histories. AAC temper system, pp. 9–10
Do not specify a T6 ageing treatment by analogy with 6xxx aluminium. For a formed part, select the temper and gauge together, then qualify the bend or draw. A higher-strength condition is not automatically better when cracking, springback or appearance controls acceptance.
Aalco's 5005-H34 sheet page lists the following for its stated 0.2–12.5 mm sheet range, under a reference to BS EN 485-2:2008:
| Property | Supplier entry |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 145–185 MPa |
| Proof stress | 110 MPa minimum |
| Brinell hardness | 47 HB |
Preserve the difference between a strength range, an explicitly stated minimum and a hardness entry without a minimum qualifier. The page warns that its information is indicative and cannot replace the full specification. Verify the applicable edition, thickness band, test direction and elongation requirements for the order. Aalco H34 mechanical properties and disclaimer
Typical properties support comparison and estimation; purchase limits govern acceptance; design allowables need an appropriate design-data basis. Do not convert a supplier tensile figure into an allowable stress without the required assessment of geometry, loading, environment and failure mode.
Anodising suitability is not a finish guarantee
Aalco describes 5005 as suitable for decorative anodising but explicitly warns that streaks can occur. It asks customers seeking a critical finish to specify special anodising quality at ordering. This is a material-selection requirement, not something that can always be corrected by changing the anodising bath afterward. Aalco anodising qualification
For an architectural panel or visible assembly, agree a representative finish sample and permissible variation with the material supplier and anodiser. Carry the stock identity, visible face, rolling direction and finishing sequence through fabrication. Evaluate the final formed and finished component, including cut edges and any locally worked regions, rather than accepting raw-sheet appearance as evidence of the final result.
Anodising-quality stock is also distinct from pre-anodised stock. Novelis describes J73A UP as a named pre-anodised product with a 20 µm anodised surface. That product construction is not established by a generic 5005 alloy callout. Verify the actual delivered surface and any limits on further fabrication. Novelis J73A UP
Forming, joining and service limits
Use the delivered temper, thickness, rolling direction, surface protection and tooling in forming trials. Define acceptance for cracks, springback, thinning, tool marks and coating damage. A successful bend at one gauge does not establish a universal minimum radius, particularly when the finish must remain decorative.
Aalco rates its 5005-H34 product as having very good atmospheric corrosion resistance and weldability. Those are useful selection descriptions, not a fluid-compatibility chart or a qualified joint procedure. Assess the actual exposure, dissimilar-metal contacts, trapped moisture and cleaning chemicals. An application listing for food or chemical equipment is not an approval for every chemical, temperature or food-contact use. Aalco 5005 application guidance
Where joining introduces heat, evaluate local properties and appearance after the joining and finishing sequence. An incoming H-temper certificate does not establish the final condition of every heated zone. Specify joint performance, corrosion protection and cosmetic acceptance separately from the sheet purchase.
Estimate and release with traceability
Using Aalco's listed density of 2.70 g/cm³, an original nominal mass estimate for an uncoated 1,000 × 500 × 2 mm blank is 0.001 m³ × 2,700 kg/m³ = 2.70 kg. This excludes tolerances, film, coatings and cutouts. Use actual dimensions and agreed tolerances for purchasing or handling calculations. Aalco physical properties
Retain lot certification, alloy/suffix, temper, gauge, finish-quality designation, appearance sample and processing records. Treat a change in supplier, surface quality, temper, gauge or thermal route as a change to assess against the qualified part. Sources were reviewed November 1, 2026; PDF upload paths and search-engine dates are not presented as publication dates.