Alloy 5182 is an aluminum-magnesium-manganese alloy (designated EN AW-5182, AlMg4.5Mn0.4, in European standards) in the 5xxx series. It is a non-heat-treatable alloy: strength is developed by cold working during rolling, not by solution heat treatment and aging. With a registered magnesium content of 4.0-5.0% and manganese of 0.20-0.50%, 5182 sits at the higher-strength end of the 5xxx family and is best known worldwide as the standard material for beverage can ends and pull tabs.
This guide covers the registered composition, temper options, typical mechanical properties, primary applications, and fabrication notes for 5182 plate and sheet, supplied by GNEE as sheet, plate, coil and strip. Values marked "typical" are published reference figures for comparison; binding values are defined by the governing standard - ASTM B209 for sheet and plate, EN 485-2 for European supply, GB/T 3880 in China - and are confirmed on the mill test certificate (MTC) of each batch.
Key Takeaways
- Alloy 5182 is a non-heat-treatable Al-Mg-Mn alloy with registered limits of Mg 4.0-5.0% and Mn 0.20-0.50%.
- Its main use is can end stock - beverage can ends and pull tabs - followed by automotive body panels, food packaging and tank truck bodies.
- Tempers range from annealed O to extra-hard H19; typical tensile strength spans about 276 MPa (O) to 420 MPa (H19).
- 5182 welds well by MIG/TIG with 5xxx filler (e.g., ER5356); because it is non-heat-treatable, welded joints are softer than the cold-worked parent metal.
- Use standard minimums (ASTM B209 / EN 485-2 / GB/T 3880) and the MTC for acceptance; typical values are for material selection only.
What Is Alloy 5182?
Alloy 5182 is a wrought aluminum alloy in the 5xxx series whose principal alloying element is magnesium (4.0-5.0%). A manganese addition of 0.20-0.50% contributes additional strength and controls recrystallization behavior. Because magnesium is the main alloying element, 5182 cannot be strengthened by heat treatment; its strength comes from strain hardening (cold work) and solid-solution hardening. This distinguishes it from 6xxx (Al-Mg-Si) and 7xxx (Al-Zn) alloys, which rely on precipitation hardening.
In practice, 5182 is supplied mainly as sheet, strip and thin plate. In the temper designation system: O = annealed (fully soft); H1x = strain hardened only; H3x = strain hardened and stabilized; H19 denotes an extra-hard strain-hardened condition used for can stock. The alloy is registered with The Aluminum Association; EN 573-3 and GB/T 3190 provide equivalent composition limits for European and Chinese supply.
Chemical Composition
The following limits are the registered values for alloy 5182 (wt.%; limits are maximums unless shown as a range), per The Aluminum Association, with equivalents in EN 573-3 and GB/T 3190:
| Element | Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Cr | Zn | Ti | Others each | Others total | Al |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limit (max unless range) | 0.20 | 0.35 | 0.15 | 0.20-0.50 | 4.0-5.0 | 0.10 | 0.25 | 0.10 | 0.05 | 0.15 | Remainder |
Commercial heats are usually controlled closer than these limits. Actual values for a given batch are stated on the mill test certificate, which should be reviewed against the governing standard before acceptance.
Temper Options and Typical Mechanical Properties
Temper selection controls the strength-formability balance of 5182. The temper system: O is annealed for maximum formability; H111 is a slightly strain-hardened annealed condition; H19 is extra hard (strain hardened only); H34/H38 are strain hardened and stabilized. The table below lists typical values published in aluminum alloy reference data (The Aluminum Association alloy data) - they are representative, not guaranteed, and must not be used as design minimums:
| Temper | Typical tensile strength (MPa) | Typical 0.2% yield strength (MPa) | Typical elongation (%) | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | ≈276 (40 ksi) | ≈145 (21 ksi) | ≈21 | Deep drawing, complex forming |
| H111 | ≈260 | ≈125 | ≈18 | Formed parts, tank truck sheet |
| H19 | ≈420 | ≈395 | ≈4 | Can ends and pull tabs (can stock) |
| H34 | ≈331 (48 ksi) | ≈255 (37 ksi) | ≈11 | Body panels, structural sheet |
| H38 | ≈372 (54 ksi) | ≈324 (47 ksi) | ≈6 | High-strength flat parts |
Design and acceptance should be based on the minimum values given in ASTM B209, EN 485-2 or GB/T 3880 for the specified temper and thickness, together with the MTC. H116 and H321 tempers are also offered for marine-oriented service; availability and guaranteed minimums should be confirmed against the applicable standard with the mill certificate.
Key Characteristics
- Strength: One of the stronger non-heat-treatable aluminum alloys. Typical tensile strength spans roughly 276-420 MPa from O to H19, covering both formable and load-bearing conditions.
- Formability: O and H111 tempers support deep drawing, stamping and bending; H19 retains enough ductility for the punching and scoring used in can end production.
- Corrosion resistance: Good resistance to atmospheric and seawater corrosion. 5182 is used in many marine components; for primary hull structure, dedicated marine alloys such as 5083 or 5086 are usually specified by classification rules.
- Weldability: MIG and TIG welding are both practical, commonly with a 5xxx filler such as ER5356 to match the magnesium content. Cold-worked tempers soften in the heat-affected zone, so welded joints are weaker than the H-temper parent metal.
- Low-temperature behavior: Like other 5xxx alloys, 5182 retains ductility and toughness at low temperatures, which is why it also appears in cryogenic applications.
- Recyclability: Fully recyclable with the alloy value retained, supporting closed-loop can recycling programs.
- Density: Approximately 2.65 g/cm³ (typical), about one third that of steel.
Primary Applications
| Application | Typical temper | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beverage can ends and pull tabs (can end stock) | H19 | Dominant global use; can bodies are usually a 3xxx alloy such as 3004, while ends and tabs are 5182 |
| Automotive body panels - hoods, doors, inner panels | H32 / H34 / H111 | Weight reduction with dent resistance |
| Food and beverage packaging containers | O / H19 | Formed containers, closures |
| Tank truck bodies and fuel tanks | H111 / H32 | Welded structures with good corrosion resistance |
| Marine components (non-primary structure), fittings | H116 / H321 * | Confirm against classification rules; verify minimums with MTC |
| General sheet metal - brackets, heat shields, covers | Various | Formed and welded parts |
* Subject to supply availability.
How 5182 Compares with Other 5xxx Alloys
Within the 5xxx family, 5182 occupies the higher-strength end. Comparing published typical tensile strengths: 5052 spans roughly 190-290 MPa across its tempers, while 5182 spans about 276-420 MPa. Against 5083 the picture is more balanced - 5083-O is typically about 290 MPa and 5083-H116/H321 about 315 MPa - so 5182's strength advantage appears mainly in hard tempers such as H19 (about 420 MPa typical). With more manganese (0.40-1.0%) and a lower magnesium ceiling (4.0-4.9%), 5083 is the more common choice for thick plate and primary marine structure, while 5182 is the more common choice for thin sheet, can stock and deep-drawn packaging parts. Select on the basis of temper, thickness and application rather than the alloy name alone. 5182 plate and sheet is available through GNEE's aluminum sheet and aluminum coil product ranges.
Fabrication Notes
Welding: Clean surfaces before welding; use MIG/TIG with ER5356 or another 5xxx filler; control heat input to limit softening and distortion.
Forming: Use O or H111 for deep drawing; H tempers spring back more and require higher press loads.
Cutting: Shear and saw for plate; laser or waterjet for thin sheet where edge quality matters.
Storage and handling: Store sheets flat and dry; keep protective film on until fabrication; avoid prolonged contact with steel racks or tools to prevent galvanic staining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 5182 aluminum heat-treatable?
No. 5182 belongs to the 5xxx (Al-Mg) series and cannot be strengthened by solution heat treatment and aging. Its strength is developed by cold working; temper designations such as H19 reflect the degree of strain hardening.
What is alloy 5182 used for?
Its main use is can end stock - the ends and pull tabs of beverage cans. It is also used for automotive body panels, food packaging, tank truck bodies and corrosion-resistant sheet metal components.
Can 5182 be welded?
Yes, by MIG and TIG welding, normally with a 5xxx filler such as ER5356. Because the alloy is non-heat-treatable, the weld zone of cold-worked tempers is softer than the parent sheet; joint design should account for this.
What is the difference between 5182 and 5083?
Both are Al-Mg alloys. 5182 has a registered magnesium range of 4.0-5.0% with 0.20-0.50% manganese; 5083 combines 4.0-4.9% magnesium with 0.40-1.0% manganese. In practice, 5182 is common as thin sheet and can stock, while 5083 is standard for thick plate and primary marine structure.
Which temper should I specify?
It depends on forming and service requirements. Use O or H111 when deep drawing dominates; H19 for can ends and pull tabs; H32/H34-class tempers for structural sheet where strength and formability are both needed. Always specify alloy + temper + standard, and request the MTC.
What is the density of 5182?
Approximately 2.65 g/cm³ (typical), about one third of steel.
This guide reflects registered composition data and published typical values, cross-checked against the requirements of ASTM B209, EN 485-2 and GB/T 3880. Final material selection and acceptance should always be based on the governing standard and the mill test certificate of the actual batch.
