5A02 Aluminum Sheet
5A02 aluminum sheet is a classic Al–Mg alloy plate/sheet product valued for its dependable corrosion resistance, good formability, and stable performance in medium-strength structural applications. As a non-heat-treatable alloy, 5A02 develops strength primarily through solid-solution strengthening from magnesium and, in many tempers, additional work hardening. This makes it a practical choice for customers who need consistent behavior during bending, rolling, stamping, and fabrication-especially in environments where moisture, marine atmosphere, or industrial pollutants can challenge ordinary metals.
From transportation panels and general fabrication to chemical equipment and protective structures, 5A02 offers a balanced combination of strength, weldability, and surface stability. It is also commonly selected when a project requires a reliable, cost-effective alloy with predictable forming and joining performance.
Features at a Glance
| Feature | What it Means for You |
|---|---|
| Excellent corrosion resistance | Performs well in humid, coastal, and mildly aggressive industrial environments |
| Good formability | Suitable for bending, stamping, drawing, and shaping with reduced risk of cracking |
| Strong weldability | Works well with common aluminum welding methods for robust assemblies |
| Medium strength with stable properties | A practical structural alloy when ultra-high strength is not required |
| Non-heat-treatable, easy to process | Strength is achieved through cold work, simplifying production planning |
| Good surface quality | Supports common finishing routes such as anodizing, painting, and coating (process-dependent) |
Typical Applications
| Industry / Scenario | Typical Uses |
|---|---|
| Transportation | Body panels, liners, brackets, non-critical structural skins, interior panels |
| Marine & coastal projects | General sheet components, covers, housings, corrosion-resistant fabrications |
| Chemical & industrial equipment | Tanks, covers, guards, ducting, housings where corrosion resistance matters |
| Construction & general fabrication | Enclosures, partitions, signage substrates, formed profiles |
| Consumer & light industrial | Appliance panels, casings, formed shells, lightweight structural parts |
Application selection should consider temper, thickness, joining method, and whether the part is strength-limited, fatigue-limited, or corrosion-limited.
5A02 belongs to the Al–Mg family, designed to offer corrosion resistance and solid forming behavior. Since it is non-heat-treatable, the temper designation mainly indicates the amount of strain hardening and stabilization.
| Temper (common examples) | General Character | Typical Customer Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| O (annealed) | Softest condition, highest ductility | Best for deep forming and complex bends |
| H14 / H24 | Moderately work hardened | Balanced strength and formability |
| H16 / H26 | Higher work hardening level | Higher strength with reduced ductility |
| H18 / H28 | Hardest common sheet tempers | Maximum strength among work-hardened sheet options |
Temper availability can vary by mill capability, thickness range, and target standards. If your design is bend-critical, selecting a softer temper is often the most effective way to increase forming margin.
Chemical Composition (Typical Standard Range)
The exact composition can vary by standard and certification requirements. The table below reflects typical ranges for 5A02 (Al–Mg alloy series). Always confirm with mill test certificate (MTC) values for compliance.
| Element | Typical Range (wt.%) | Role in Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Mg | 1.8–2.5 | Primary strengthening element; improves corrosion resistance and weldability characteristics |
| Si | ≤0.40 | Controlled to maintain formability and corrosion performance |
| Fe | ≤0.40 | Impurity control for toughness and surface quality |
| Cu | ≤0.10 | Limited to preserve corrosion resistance |
| Mn | ≤0.10 | Grain structure influence; usually kept low in this grade |
| Zn | ≤0.10 | Controlled to reduce corrosion risk |
| Ti | ≤0.10 | Grain refinement support |
| Al | Balance | Base metal |
If your end use involves marine exposure or long service life in damp conditions, pay attention to Cu and impurity control, as these can influence corrosion behavior.
Technical Specifications (Supply Range)
Actual supply range depends on equipment, finishing line, and product type (hot-rolled plate vs cold-rolled sheet). The table below summarizes common mill capabilities for sheet supply.
| Item | Typical Range / Option |
|---|---|
| Product form | Sheet / plate (depending on thickness) |
| Thickness | 0.5–6.0 mm (common sheet), thicker plate may be available |
| Width | 800–2000 mm (custom widths possible) |
| Length | 1000–6000 mm (cut-to-length available) |
| Edge | Mill edge / trimmed edge |
| Surface | Mill finish, one-side/both-side protective film optional |
| Flatness control | Standard flatness or improved flatness by request |
| Standards | Supplied to applicable GB/EN/ASTM/JIS-equivalent requirements per contract |
For laser cutting or high-precision forming, specifying tighter flatness and residual stress control can reduce distortion and improve yield.
Mechanical Properties (Typical Reference Values)
Mechanical properties vary with temper, thickness, and processing route. The values below are practical reference ranges used for early-stage design discussions; they are not a substitute for certified test data.
| Temper | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | 170–220 | 60–110 | 18–30 | Best for deep forming and tight bend radii |
| H14 / H24 | 220–260 | 140–200 | 8–16 | General-purpose balance of strength and formability |
| H16 / H26 | 240–280 | 170–230 | 6–12 | Higher strength; bend radius requirements increase |
| H18 / H28 | 260–310 | 200–260 | 4–10 | Highest work-hardened strength; avoid severe forming |
When designing a bent part, temper selection often matters more than a small change in alloy. If you share the bend radius, thickness, and bend orientation, a more accurate recommendation can be made.
Processing and Fabrication Notes
| Topic | Practical Guidance |
|---|---|
| Forming | 5A02 is friendly to bending and stamping; annealed and mid-H tempers provide the widest forming window |
| Welding | Commonly welded using standard aluminum filler selections; good joint performance when cleanliness and parameter control are maintained |
| Machining | Machinability is moderate; use sharp tools, proper chip control, and coolant/lubrication as needed |
| Surface treatment | Suitable for painting and many coating systems; anodizing is possible, appearance depends on process and surface prep |
| Corrosion behavior | Strong resistance in typical atmospheres; for harsh chemical exposure, validate with media-specific testing |
For parts that will be welded and then formed (or vice versa), it is important to plan the sequence-welding can locally soften work-hardened tempers and may change forming response near the weld.
Quality, Inspection, and Ordering Guidance
| Ordering Item | Recommended Specification Detail |
|---|---|
| Temper | Specify exact temper (O, H14, H24, etc.) based on forming vs strength needs |
| Dimensional tolerances | Define thickness/width/length tolerances and flatness requirements |
| Surface | Indicate mill finish, protective film, cosmetic side requirements, or scratch limits |
| Testing | Request MTC, mechanical tests by lot, and chemical composition certification as needed |
| Packaging | Export packing, moisture protection, corner guards, and pallet specification for damage control |
Clear order details reduce lead time risk and ensure the sheet arrives ready for your manufacturing process.
5A02 aluminum sheet is a corrosion-resistant Al–Mg alloy sheet known for good formability, reliable weldability, and stable medium-strength performance. Commonly supplied in O and H-series tempers, 5A02 is widely used for transportation panels, marine and coastal fabrications, chemical equipment covers, and general sheet-metal structures. With controlled chemical composition, versatile thickness and size options, and consistent processing behavior, 5A02 aluminum sheet is an efficient choice for customers seeking durable, easy-to-fabricate aluminum sheet for demanding environments.