Aluminum 3005 · temper
Aluminum 3005-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other 3005 tempers.
Pick for deep drawing, spinning and severe bending; lowest strength, maximum ductility.
What is 3005-O?
3005-O is 3005 in the O temper — pick for deep drawing, spinning and severe bending; lowest strength, maximum ductility. 3005-O has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 3005-O has a density of 2.73 g/cm³ (0.0986 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of aluminum grades. It melts at 630°C (1,166 °F).
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 55 MPa (7.98 ksi), worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
3005-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3005-O — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 3005 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
3005-O has a density of 2.73 g/cm³ (0.0986 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of aluminum grades. It melts at 630°C (1,166 °F).
Mechanical10
3005-O has a yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
3005-O is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 163 W/m·K (94.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
3005-O conducts electricity at 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3005-O takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
3005-O's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability excellent (95/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 3005 tempers and conditions
3005 is also supplied in 16 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 3005 overview.
- H29Maximum-strength partially annealed 3005 strip, one step above H28, used for thin high-strength sheet and fin/shutter stock where formability is minimal.240 MPa yield · 72 HB
- H27Heavily cold-rolled 3005 sheet given a partial anneal to a strength level between H26 and H28, retaining a little more ductility than fully hard stock.210 MPa yield · 65 HB
- H14Default stocked sheet/coil temper: good strength with enough ductility for roll forming and moderate bends.155 MPa yield · 48 HB
- OPick for deep drawing, spinning and severe bending; lowest strength, maximum ductility.55 MPa yield · 33 HB
Working with 3005-O
Is 3005 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; expect burrs on thin sheet.
Can 3005 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded with ER4043 or ER5356 filler; HAZ anneals back to near-O strength, so design joints away from load peaks.
Can 3005 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent roll forming, bending and stamping in O/H2x tempers; bend across the rolling direction and use larger radii for H16 and harder.
What surface finishes work on 3005?
Prime substrate for coil coating (PE/PVDF) and chemical conversion; clear anodizing is uniform but slightly grey, and brazing/flux processes need care because of the Mg content.
3005 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.25 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.5 | 1.2 |
| Mg | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)0.15 total | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
3005-O — frequently asked
What is 3005-O used for?
3005-O is typically used for architectural siding, roofing sheet, composite panel skins, mobile home sheet, louvres and shutters and signage panels. In short: building sheet; stronger than 3003.
What is the yield strength of 3005-O?
3005-O has a typical yield strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 17 listed tempers.
Is 3005-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; expect burrs on thin sheet.
Can 3005-O be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded with ER4043 or ER5356 filler; HAZ anneals back to near-O strength, so design joints away from load peaks.
What surface finishes work on 3005-O?
Prime substrate for coil coating (PE/PVDF) and chemical conversion; clear anodizing is uniform but slightly grey, and brazing/flux processes need care because of the Mg content.
Can 3005-O be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent roll forming, bending and stamping in O/H2x tempers; bend across the rolling direction and use larger radii for H16 and harder.
What is the maximum service temperature of 3005-O?
3005-O is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 3005-O?
Yes — 3005-O is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Aluminum Standards and Data / Teal Sheets — Registered Alloy 3005 — The Aluminum Association (2019)
- ASTM B209 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 (EN AW-3005, AlMn1Mg0.5) — CEN (2016)
- GB/T 3190 / GB/T 3880 — SAC (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion of Aluminum Alloys — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.