Aluminum 5050 · temper
Aluminum 5050-H12
Properties of the H12 condition, compared with the other 5050 tempers.
Quarter-hard cold-rolled 5050 — modest strength gain over O with retained bending ability.
What is 5050-H12?
5050-H12 is 5050 in the H12 temper — quarter-hard cold-rolled 5050 — modest strength gain over O with retained bending ability. 5050-H12 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi). 5050-H12 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 627°C (1,161 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 50 % IACS, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 76/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 191 W/m·K (110.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
5050-H12 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5050-H12 — 27 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5050 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5050-H12 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 627°C (1,161 °F).
Mechanical10
5050-H12 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
5050-H12 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 191 W/m·K (110.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 89% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5050-H12 conducts electricity at 50 % IACS, better than 90% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (76/100), better than 90% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5050-H12 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
5050-H12's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (75/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5050 tempers and conditions
5050 is also supplied in 14 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5050 overview.
- H18Fully cold-worked 5050 — maximum strength and hardness, minimal ductility, best for flat parts and shallow forming.200 MPa yield · 63 HB
- H38Maximum strength/springiness of this alloy; use only for flat or very lightly bent parts.200 MPa yield · 63 HB
- H28Full-hard back-annealed 5050 — top of the strength range for this alloy, low elongation.200 MPa yield · 63 HB
- H16Three-quarter-hard 5050 with high strength for a 5xxx-lean alloy and limited cold bending.180 MPa yield · 58 HB
- H36For stiff, flat, lightly formed strip such as decorative trim and stamped covers.180 MPa yield · 58 HB
- H26Three-quarter-hard back-annealed 5050 with H16 strength and slightly higher residual ductility.180 MPa yield · 58 HB
- H14Half-hard cold-worked 5050 sheet/strip; balanced strength and moderate bend formability for anodized trim.165 MPa yield · 53 HB
- H34Choose for flat panels and mild forming where higher yield strength and dent resistance are wanted.165 MPa yield · 53 HB
- H24Half-hard back-annealed 5050 — H14 strength with improved bend performance for formed anodized parts.165 MPa yield · 53 HB
- H32Default stocked sheet/coil temper: balanced strength and bending formability for enclosures, trim and tube.145 MPa yield · 46 HB
- H12Quarter-hard cold-rolled 5050 — modest strength gain over O with retained bending ability.145 MPa yield · 46 HB
- H22Over-worked then back-annealed to quarter hard — H12-level strength with better ductility and stable properties.145 MPa yield · 46 HB
- H111Essentially annealed 5050 with a small amount of incidental cold work from levelling/straightening — soft, highly formable, near-O strength.65 MPa yield · 37 HB
- OPick for deep drawing, severe bending or spinning where maximum ductility is needed.55 MPa yield · 36 HB
Working with 5050-H12
Is 5050 easy to machine?
Gummy like all 5xxx — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high surface speed and flood/mist lubricant to avoid built-up edge; H34/H38 tempers chip more cleanly than O.
Can 5050 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 or 5183 filler (4043 acceptable for lower strength); joints return to near-O strength in the HAZ, no post-weld heat treatment possible.
Can 5050 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H32; allow larger bend radii and expect springback in H36/H38, and anneal at ~345 °C if severe redraws are needed.
What surface finishes work on 5050?
Anodizes to a clear, bright decorative film and takes dye well; also paints and chemically brightens easily, but avoid heavy Mg-rich surface smut by proper deox before anodizing.
5050 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgprincipal strengthener | 1.1 – 1.8 | 1.4 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | — |
| Cu | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Others (each)0.15 max total | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Alremainder, ≈97.5 % | balance | — |
5050-H12 — frequently asked
What is 5050-H12 used for?
5050-H12 is typically used for refrigerator and appliance tubing, architectural sheet and trim, anodized decorative trim, drawn tube for fluid lines, roll-formed coil stock and formed appliance panels. In short: tubing and sheet for general use.
What is the yield strength of 5050-H12?
5050-H12 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 15 listed tempers.
Is 5050-H12 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades). Gummy like all 5xxx — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high surface speed and flood/mist lubricant to avoid built-up edge; H34/H38 tempers chip more cleanly than O.
Can 5050-H12 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 or 5183 filler (4043 acceptable for lower strength); joints return to near-O strength in the HAZ, no post-weld heat treatment possible.
What surface finishes work on 5050-H12?
Anodizes to a clear, bright decorative film and takes dye well; also paints and chemically brightens easily, but avoid heavy Mg-rich surface smut by proper deox before anodizing.
Can 5050-H12 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H32; allow larger bend radii and expect springback in H36/H38, and anneal at ~345 °C if severe redraws are needed.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5050-H12?
5050-H12 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5050-H12?
Yes — 5050-H12 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 — Wrought aluminium, composition and sheet properties — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum Standards and Data — The Aluminum Association (2017)
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.