5050 Aluminum

Representative aluminum raw/semi-finished material photo; exact grade not verified

5050 aluminum is an active registered wrought Al–Mg alloy in the 5000 series, designated AA 5050 and UNS A95050. Its 1.1–1.8% magnesium range provides moderate solid-solution strength while retaining the corrosion resistance, ductility, and cold-forming character associated with low-magnesium 5xxx sheet alloys. It is non-heat-treatable; practical strength is selected through annealed or strain-hardened temper rather than solution heat treatment and aging. With lower magnesium than 5052, 5050 is principally suited to formed, corrosion-resistant sheet products where surface appearance and workability are more important than structural strength.

Chemical Composition (wt.%)
Chemical Composition wt.%
Element	Min	Max
Silicon	—	0.40
Iron	—	0.70
Copper	—	0.20
Manganese	—	0.10
Magnesium	1.1	1.8
Chromium	—	0.10
Zinc	—	0.25
Others, each	—	0.05
Others, total	—	0.15
Aluminum	Remainder

Composition notes

Silicon: Maximum
Iron: Maximum
Copper: Maximum
Manganese: Maximum
Chromium: Maximum
Zinc: Maximum
Others, each: Maximum, each unspecified element
Others, total: Maximum, total unspecified elements

Registered wrought composition limits for 5050 are shown in mass percent. “Balance” means aluminum remainder. The Aluminum Association table also limits unspecified other elements to 0.05% each and 0.15% total; blank fields in the registered row are not reported as zero.

Values below are source-reported physical and thermal data for 5050. Thermal conductivity is specifically reported for H38 at 25 °C; the other listed values carry the conditions stated by the source. Mechanical strength depends substantially on product thickness and temper and is therefore not represented by unqualified values here.

Use the button to switch between Metric and US Customary units.

Table of 5050 Aluminum Properties

Table of 5050 Aluminum Properties
Physical Properties	Metric
Density	2.69 g/cm³2.69 g/cm³
Mechanical Properties	Metric
Elastic Modulus	70–80 GPa
Poisson’s Ratio	0.33
Thermal Properties	Metric
Thermal Conductivity (H38)	191 W/(m·K)
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20–100 °C)	23.6 × 10⁻⁶ /°C

Test conditions & data notes

Density: Calculated nominal density for active wrought alloy
Elastic Modulus: Typical reported value
Poisson’s Ratio: Typical reported value
Thermal Conductivity (H38): 25 °C, H38 temper

Material Conditions & Tempers

5050 is a non-heat-treatable alloy. Its temper identifies annealing and/or cold-work condition, which controls the trade-off between formability and strength. Procurement specifications should state the required product form, thickness range, temper, and applicable dimensional or mechanical-property standard.

Condition	Description	Notes
O	Fully annealed condition with the highest ductility; appropriate starting condition for severe forming, drawing, or spinning.	Strength values depend on product form and thickness.
H32	Strain-hardened and stabilized condition commonly selected when moderate strength is needed while retaining useful forming capability.	Verify bend requirements and guaranteed properties against the ordered product standard.
H34	Higher strain-hardening level than H32, intended for parts requiring greater flat-product strength with less demanding forming.	Tighter bends and deep draws are less forgiving than in O temper.

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages	Limitations
Good atmospheric corrosion resistance from the aluminum–magnesium chemistry and low copper limit. Lower magnesium than 5052 supports ductility and makes 5050 a practical choice for formed, non-structural sheet components. Non-heat-treatable response simplifies temper selection: strength is developed by cold work rather than precipitation aging. Calculated nominal density of 2.69 g/cm³ supports lightweight fabricated products. Suitable for welded aluminum fabrication when proper filler selection, joint design, and procedure qualification are used. Useful thermal conductivity for thin sheet components; conductivity should be assessed in the specified temper where it is functionally important.	5050 is not a high-strength structural substitute for heat-treatable 6xxx alloys or higher-magnesium 5xxx alloys. Mechanical properties are temper-, thickness-, and product-form-dependent; do not use unqualified strength values for design. Cold-worked tempers sacrifice some formability relative to O temper and may crack in severe bends or deep draws. It cannot be precipitation hardened by a conventional solution-treatment-and-aging cycle. For sustained elevated-temperature service or critical corrosion environments, qualify the exact temper, weld condition, and exposure conditions.

Advantages

Limitations

Good atmospheric corrosion resistance from the aluminum–magnesium chemistry and low copper limit.
Lower magnesium than 5052 supports ductility and makes 5050 a practical choice for formed, non-structural sheet components.
Non-heat-treatable response simplifies temper selection: strength is developed by cold work rather than precipitation aging.
Calculated nominal density of 2.69 g/cm³ supports lightweight fabricated products.
Suitable for welded aluminum fabrication when proper filler selection, joint design, and procedure qualification are used.
Useful thermal conductivity for thin sheet components; conductivity should be assessed in the specified temper where it is functionally important.

5050 is not a high-strength structural substitute for heat-treatable 6xxx alloys or higher-magnesium 5xxx alloys.
Mechanical properties are temper-, thickness-, and product-form-dependent; do not use unqualified strength values for design.
Cold-worked tempers sacrifice some formability relative to O temper and may crack in severe bends or deep draws.
It cannot be precipitation hardened by a conventional solution-treatment-and-aging cycle.
For sustained elevated-temperature service or critical corrosion environments, qualify the exact temper, weld condition, and exposure conditions.

Processing & Fabrication

Process	Description
Cold forming	Use O temper for the most demanding draws, spins, and tight bends. Select a strain-hardened temper only after confirming that the intended bend radius and forming severity are compatible with the ordered sheet condition.
Welding	5050 can be fabricated using common aluminum welding practice. Clean oxide and contaminants before welding, use an appropriate compatible filler, and qualify the procedure for the required corrosion performance and joint strength.
Annealing and temper control	5050 does not gain strength through precipitation aging. Annealing may be used to restore ductility after cold work, while final strength is normally obtained by specified strain-hardening temper.
Surface finishing	For visible sheet, control handling, lubricants, and cleaning before finishing. Trial anodizing or coating is recommended when appearance, color uniformity, or adhesion is a critical requirement.

Applications

5050 is best considered for wrought sheet and formed components that benefit from moderate strength, corrosion resistance, and good workability rather than maximum structural capability. Final suitability depends on the specified temper, gauge, joining method, surface-finish requirement, and service environment.

Formed sheet-metal covers and housings: The alloy’s moderate-strength Al–Mg composition and workable temper options suit bent, stamped, and shaped enclosures.
Architectural and interior trim: Low weight, atmospheric corrosion resistance, and potential for controlled decorative finishing are valuable for non-structural trim.
Appliance and equipment panels: 5050 offers a practical balance of formability, durability, and corrosion resistance for thin-gauge fabricated panels.
Automotive non-structural sheet components: Light weight and forming capability make it relevant to selected covers, panels, and trim where structural strength is not the governing criterion.
General fabricated goods for humid or outdoor exposure: The aluminum–magnesium alloy system provides useful corrosion resistance for formed products when design and finish are appropriate to the environment.

Standards & Designations

Designation	Value	Description
Aluminum Association International Alloy Designation System	5050	Active registered wrought aluminum alloy designation; registration shown as USA, 1954 in the Aluminum Association Teal Sheets.
UNS	A95050	Designation used for Aluminum 5050 in the cited alloy datasheet.
Declaration of Accord / ISO cross-reference	AlMg1.5(C)	Former ISO designation cross-referenced to 5050 in the Aluminum Association Teal Sheets; ISO 209 references the Teal Sheets for international alloy designations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 5050 aluminum heat treatable?

No. 5050 is a 5xxx aluminum–magnesium alloy and is not strengthened by precipitation heat treatment and aging. Its practical strength is controlled primarily through cold work and temper, while annealing is used when greater ductility is required.

How does 5050 differ from 5052 aluminum?

5050 has a registered magnesium range of 1.1–1.8%, whereas 5052 has a higher registered magnesium range of 2.2–2.8%. This makes 5050 a lower-magnesium option generally oriented toward formability and moderate strength; the two grades should not be substituted without checking applicable product and design requirements.

What composition limits define AA 5050?

AA 5050 contains 1.1–1.8% magnesium, with maxima of 0.40% Si, 0.70% Fe, 0.20% Cu, 0.10% Mn, 0.10% Cr, and 0.25% Zn. Aluminum is the remainder, and unspecified others are limited to 0.05% each and 0.15% total.

References & Data Notes

(n.d.). The Aluminum Association, International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys, Teal Sheets (December 2025). https://www.aluminum.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/Teal%20Sheets%20December%202025.pdf
(n.d.). AZoM: Aluminium / Aluminum 5050 Alloy (UNS A95050). https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6625

Composition limits and nominal density are taken from the Aluminum Association Teal Sheets. Other property values are from the cited 5050 datasheet. Values are informational; use the governing product specification and producer certification for purchasing, fabrication qualification, and engineering design.