Aluminium alloys belonging to the 5xxx series, also known as AlMg alloys, are mainly characterised by the presence of magnesium, the element that gives them their distinctive properties. Small quantities of other elements are added to this base, such as iron, manganese, silicon, zinc, tin, chromium, titanium and copper, which further improve their performance.
Compared to the 3xxx series alloys, those in the 5xxx series offer superior mechanical strength. Another strong point is their excellent corrosion resistance, both in humid environments and when exposed to air, a quality that makes them particularly durable. These characteristics are combined with good formability, allowing for versatile processing.
Thanks to these properties, the field of application for these alloys is extremely varied. They are used in construction, both for internal and external structures, in furniture manufacturing, in the chemical and food industries, in boat building and in numerous piping systems. Some concrete examples are: architectural facades, corrugated sheets, containers for the food and chemical industries, road signs, street lamps, roof coverings, roller shutters, pressure tanks, extruded packaging and components for air conditioning systems. Anodising and anodic oxidation processes, as well as various finishing techniques – from painting and polishing to film coating – are also particularly effective on these alloys.
An interesting case is the EN AW-5182 alloy, used to produce the tabs on beverage cans. This example demonstrates how it is possible to obtain complex and functional shapes from a material with high strength but limited ductility.
The main source of the description
Material-Archiv. (2023). Aluminium-Mg-Knetlegierung, Reihe 5xxx.
