Aluminum 5657 · supply condition
Aluminum 5657-H26
Properties of the H26 condition, compared with the other 5657 tempers.
Pick when trim sections need more dent resistance and springback control than H25, with only mild bending.
What is 5657-H26?
5657-H26 is 5657 supplied in the H26 condition — pick when trim sections need more dent resistance and springback control than H25, with only mild bending. 5657-H26 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 5657-H26 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 638°C (1,180 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 54 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 176 W/m·K (101.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 58/100, better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 33/100, worse than 87% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
5657-H26 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5657-H26 — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5657 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5657-H26 has a density of 2.69 g/cm³ (0.0972 lb/in³), lighter than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 638°C (1,180 °F).
Mechanical10
5657-H26 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
5657-H26 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 176 W/m·K (101.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5657-H26 conducts electricity at 54 % IACS, better than 92% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), better than 67% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5657-H26 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 12%.
Manufacturability7
5657-H26's machinability is poor (33/100, worse than 87% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (58/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5657 tempers and conditions
5657 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5657 overview.
- H38Fully cold-worked and thermally stabilized 5657 sheet giving the highest strength of the bright-trim tempers with limited remaining ductility.185 MPa yield · 55 HB
- H28Highest strength/stiffness bright sheet for flat panels, nameplates and reflectors with minimal forming.180 MPa yield · 50 HB
- H26Pick when trim sections need more dent resistance and springback control than H25, with only mild bending.160 MPa yield · 45 HB
- H25Standard stocked bright-trim temper: enough stiffness for roll-formed mouldings while retaining bend/draw ductility.140 MPa yield · 40 HB
- H241Special variation of the H24 half-hard temper for 5657 bright-trim sheet, balancing moderate strength with the surface quality needed for bright anodizing.140 MPa yield · 40 HB
- OChoose for severe stretch forming, deep drawing or spinning of bright trim before final polishing/anodizing.40 MPa yield · 22 HB
Working with 5657-H26
Is 5657 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood lubricant to prevent built-up edge and smearing of the show surface.
Can 5657 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 filler, but the HAZ anneals and welds anodize a different shade, so joints should be hidden or mechanically fastened instead.
Can 5657 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent roll forming, bending and drawing in O/H25; protect the bright surface with PVC film and use clean, polished, chrome-free tooling to avoid pick-up marks.
What surface finishes work on 5657?
Designed for chemical/electro-brightening then clear or colour anodizing; buffing before anodize yields mirror trim, and film clarity depends on keeping Fe/Si low.
5657 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgsole strengthening addition | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Siheld low for bright anodizing | ≤ 0.08 | — |
| Feheld low to avoid grey haze in anodic film | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Gaspecifically limited for optical brightness | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (each)total 0.05 max | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Alremainder, high-purity base | balance | — |
5657-H26 — frequently asked
What is 5657-H26 used for?
5657-H26 is typically used for automotive exterior trim and mouldings, lighting and luminaire reflectors, appliance decorative panels, anodized nameplates and badges, bright roll-formed edge strips and mirror-finish interior trim. In short: super-bright anodizing sheet.
What is the yield strength of 5657-H26?
5657-H26 has a typical yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 5657-H26 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (33/100, worse than 87% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood lubricant to prevent built-up edge and smearing of the show surface.
Can 5657-H26 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 5356 filler, but the HAZ anneals and welds anodize a different shade, so joints should be hidden or mechanically fastened instead.
What surface finishes work on 5657-H26?
Designed for chemical/electro-brightening then clear or colour anodizing; buffing before anodize yields mirror trim, and film clarity depends on keeping Fe/Si low.
Can 5657-H26 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent roll forming, bending and drawing in O/H25; protect the bright surface with PVC film and use clean, polished, chrome-free tooling to avoid pick-up marks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5657-H26?
5657-H26 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 5657-H26?
Yes — 5657-H26 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)
- Aluminum Standards and Data (mechanical property limits, 5xxx sheet) — The Aluminum Association (2017)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 — wrought aluminium alloy composition and sheet properties — CEN (2019)
- ASTM B209 — Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (aluminium alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- Alloy 5657 sheet property listings — MatWeb (2024)
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.