5454 aluminium alloy explained

5454 aluminium–magnesium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium family (5000 or 5xxx series). It is closely related to 5154 aluminium alloy. As an aluminium-magnesium alloy, it combines moderate-to-high strength with excellent weldability. Like 5154, 5454 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 (although forging is not common), 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 3.3537, N51, and A95454. 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 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 5454 aluminium is:

• Aluminium: 94.5 to 97.1%
• Chromium: 0.05 to 0.20%
• Copper: 0.1% max
• Iron: 0.4% max
• Magnesium: 2.4 to 3.0%
• Manganese: 0.5 to 1.0%
• Silicon: 0.25% max
• Titanium: 0.2% max
• Zinc: 0.25% max
• Residuals: 0.15% max

Properties

Typical material properties for 5454 aluminium alloy include:

• Density: 2.69 g/cm³, or 168 lb/ft³.
• Young's modulus: 70 GPa, or 10 Msi.
• Electrical conductivity: 34% IACS.
• Ultimate tensile strength: 240 to 300 MPa, or 35 to 44 ksi.
• Thermal Conductivity: 130 W/m-K.
• Thermal Expansion: 22.3 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/5454-3.3537-N51-A95454-Aluminum/ 5454 (3.3537, N51, A95454) Aluminum