What is 5754 Aluminum？

5754 aluminum belongs to the Al-Mg (5000 series) wrought aluminum alloys, well known for its excellent corrosion resistance, moderate strength, and outstanding formability. As a non-heat-treatable alloy strengthened mainly through cold working, 5754 stands out in applications requiring both durability and resistance to seawater, industrial chemicals, and atmospheric conditions. It offers a balanced combination of strength and weldability, making it a common material for automotive fuel tanks, ship structures, pressure vessels, and sound barrier panels.

In this article, we will provide a detailed overview of 5754 aluminum properties, its available tempers and specifications, typical applications, equivalent grades, and a comparison with the popular 5052 aluminum alloy.

5754 Aluminium Properties

5754 aluminum is a non-heat-treatable alloy primarily alloyed with magnesium (Mg 2.6–3.6%), giving it enhanced strength and corrosion resistance compared to pure aluminum. It offers a good balance between mechanical performance, formability, and surface finish, suitable for both industrial and decorative uses.

Typical physical properties include:

• Density: ~2.67 g/cm³

• Elastic modulus: ~69 GPa

• Thermal conductivity: 130–147 W/m·K

• Coefficient of thermal expansion: ~23–24 µm/m·K

Mechanical characteristics (depending on temper):

• Tensile strength: 190–330 MPa

• Yield strength: 80–220 MPa

• Elongation: 12–20%

• Excellent weldability and corrosion resistance in marine or chemical environments

5754 Tempers: O and Other Common Conditions

The performance of 5754 aluminum varies depending on its temper, which defines the level of cold working and mechanical hardening applied to the material. Below are the most common conditions:

• O (Annealed): Fully soft condition with maximum ductility and lowest strength, ideal for complex forming and bending.

• H111: Slightly strain-hardened, offering a balance of strength and excellent formability; commonly used in automotive and marine structures.

• H22 / H24 / H26: Quarter-hard to three-quarter-hard conditions, providing progressively higher strength and lower elongation.

• H32 / H34 / H36: Harder tempers with enhanced mechanical strength for load-bearing or structural parts.

• H114 / H14: Occasionally used for patterned or tread plates requiring surface hardness and durability.

5754 Aluminum Sheet and Plate Specifications

5754 aluminum sheet and plate are available in a wide range of dimensions to meet automotive, marine, and industrial manufacturing requirements.

5754 Aluminum Applications

Automotive Components

5754 aluminum is widely used in fuel tanks, body panels, and chassis reinforcements. Its superior corrosion resistance against road salt and fuel, together with excellent formability in tempers such as H111 and H22, makes it ideal for deep-drawn or welded parts. As the automotive sector shifts toward lightweight and electric vehicles, 5754 aluminum also serves in battery housings and underbody structures, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and performance.

Marine and Shipbuilding

In the marine sector, 5754 aluminum demonstrates outstanding resistance to seawater corrosion, making it a preferred material for boat hulls, decks, storage tanks, and ship superstructures. It provides a practical, cost-effective alternative to stronger but more expensive alloys such as 5083, especially in medium-strength marine applications where weight savings and corrosion performance are key.

Pressure Vessels and Storage Tanks

Thanks to its excellent weldability and moderate strength, 5754 aluminum is frequently used in oil tanks, pressure vessels, and chemical storage containers. The alloy maintains high resistance to mild acids, fuels, and moisture, making it suitable for medium-pressure environments where corrosion protection and reliable weld seams are essential.

Sound Barrier Panel for Highways

5754 aluminum can be used for transportation sound barrier panel structures, especially sound barrier panel for highways. It provides the outer shell or reflective surface of the barrier, valued for its light weight, corrosion resistance, and surface treatment adaptability. Typically, 5754 aluminum panels are combined with acoustic or composite layers to achieve optimal sound insulation performance, serving as durable protective shells in modern noise control systems. Of course, aluminum foam panles are another suitable choice.

Architectural and Structural Applications

In the building and construction field, 5754 aluminum sheet and plate are used for facade cladding, stair treads, floor plates, curtain walls, and roofing panels. Its ability to be anodized or finished with anti-slip patterns such as diamond tread plates gives it both functional and aesthetic appeal. The alloy’s corrosion resistance ensures long service life with minimal maintenance, even in outdoor or humid environments.

Food Processing and Chemical Equipment

Due to its non-toxic nature and resistance to food-grade acids and cleaning agents, 5754 aluminum is applied in food processing machinery, brewing tanks, dairy equipment, and chemical vessels. It meets hygiene standards while maintaining structural integrity after repeated cleaning and sterilization cycles, making it a safe and reliable material in sanitary industries.

General Industrial Fabrication

With excellent formability, machinability, and weldability, 5754 aluminum is widely used in sheet metal fabrication, tool boxes, frames, enclosures, and storage systems. Its consistent mechanical performance across various tempers allows flexible forming and joining, supporting a broad range of industrial and mechanical manufacturing needs.

5754 Aluminum Equivalent

In different international standards, 5754 aluminum corresponds to several equivalent designations, depending on regional alloy naming systems.
In the EN standard, it is designated as EN AW-5754 (AlMg3), belonging to the 5xxx wrought aluminum-magnesium series. In the ISO and DIN systems, it is also referred to as AlMg3 or 3.3535, while in AA (Aluminum Association) designation, it remains 5754.

Equivalent Grades:

• EN / ISO: EN AW-5754 (AlMg3)

• DIN: AlMg3 / 3.3535

• UNS: A95754

• BS: 5251 (partially comparable)

• JIS: A5052 (closest equivalent in performance)

Aluminum 5754 vs 5052

Both 5754 and 5052 aluminum belong to the Al-Mg series and share many characteristics, such as good corrosion resistance, weldability, and moderate strength. However, their small differences in magnesium and chromium content result in distinct mechanical and forming behavior.

Key Differences:

• Strength: 5754 provides higher tensile strength (up to ~330 MPa) and better stability after welding, while 5052 offers lower strength but better elongation for complex forming.

• Composition: 5754 contains more magnesium (2.6–3.6%), whereas 5052 includes chromium, enhancing surface finish and corrosion protection.

• Corrosion Resistance: Both perform well in marine environments; 5052 has a slight advantage in acidic conditions, while 5754 performs better in alkaline or neutral environments.

• Applications:

• 5754 aluminum: Automotive fuel tanks, marine components, pressure vessels, and sound barrier panel for highways.

• 5052 aluminum: Enclosures, signage, sheet metal panels, and parts requiring deep drawing.