5154 aluminium alloy explained

5154 aluminium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium family (5000 or 5xxx series). As an aluminium-magnesium alloy, it combines moderate-to-high strength with excellent weldability. 5154 aluminium is commonly used in welded structures such as pressure vessels and ships. As a wrought alloy, it can be formed by rolling, extrusion, and forging, but not casting. It can be cold worked to produce tempers with a higher strength but a lower ductility. It is generally not clad.^[1]

Alternate names and designations include AlMg3.5, N5, and A95154. The alloy and its various tempers are covered by the following standards:^[2]

• ASTM B 209: Standard Specification for Aluminium and Aluminium-Alloy Sheet and Plate
• ASTM B 210: Standard Specification for Aluminium and Aluminium-Alloy Drawn Seamless Tubes
• ASTM B 211: Standard Specification for Aluminium and Aluminium-Alloy Bar, Rod, and Wire
• ASTM B 221: Standard Specification for Aluminium and Aluminium-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
• ASTM B 547: Standard Specification for Aluminium and Aluminium-Alloy Formed and Arc-Welded Round Tube
• ISO 6361: Wrought Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Sheets, Strips and Plates

Chemical composition

The alloy composition of 5154 aluminium is:

• Aluminium: 94.4 to 96.8%
• Chromium: 0.15 to 0.35%
• Copper: 0.1% max
• Iron: 0.4% max
• Magnesium: 3.1 to 3.9%
• Manganese: 0.1%
• Silicon: 0.25% max
• Titanium: 0.2% max
• Zinc: 0.2% max
• Residuals: 0.15% max

The similar alloy A5254 differs only in impurities limits.

Properties

Typical material properties for 5154 aluminium alloy include:

• Density: 2.66 g/cm³, or 166 lb/ft³.
• Young's modulus: 69 GPa, or 10 Msi.
• Electrical conductivity: 32% IACS.
• Ultimate tensile strength: 230 to 330 MPa, or 33 to 48 ksi.
• Thermal Conductivity: 130 W/m-K.
• Thermal Expansion: 23.9 μm/m-K.

Notes and References

1. Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, 8th Ed., McGraw Hill, pp. 6-50 to 6-57
2. http://www.makeitfrom.com/material-properties/5154-AlMg3.5-N5-A95154-Aluminum/ 5154 (AlMg3.5, N5, A95154) Aluminum