The Standard Strength Range for 5754 H22
Buyers and designers working with 5754 H22 aluminium plate usually need one number set before they can approve a drawing: tensile strength, yield strength and elongation. Across normal commercial supply the accepted ranges are a tensile strength of 220-275 MPa, a yield strength of 110-130 MPa and an elongation of 12-18%.
Those ranges are not arbitrary. They follow from the metallurgy of a magnesium-bearing, non-heat-treatable alloy supplied in an H22 temper, which is strain hardened and then partially annealed to restore ductility. The spread within each range reflects differences in gauge, rolling practice and, most importantly, the testing standard under which the material was ordered.
Why Two Standards Give Slightly Different Results
5754 is registered internationally with a magnesium content of 2.6-3.6%, manganese up to 0.50% and chromium up to 0.30%. Two standards dominate the ordering of 5754 plate in export trade: ASTM B209 and GB/T 3880.
ASTM B209 covers aluminium and aluminium-alloy sheet and plate across the 1000, 3000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 series. It is a broad specification designed to serve many markets, so it states acceptance values and tolerances in a form that applies across a wide range of alloys. GB/T 3880 is the national standard covering chemical composition, mechanical properties, dimensions, weights and tolerances for aluminium and aluminium-alloy plate, sheet and strip, and it sets its requirements alloy by alloy.
The practical consequence is that the two standards can differ in tensile test specimen geometry, in the gauge at which a given elongation requirement applies, in the width and length tolerance tables, and in the exact minimum value quoted for a specific temper. Neither is wrong; they are written for different regulatory and manufacturing environments.
Typical Values and What Governs Them
| Property | Typical industry range for 5754 H22 | Governing factor |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 220-275 MPa | Magnesium content and degree of strain hardening |
| Yield strength | 110-130 MPa | Partial annealing treatment after rolling |
| Elongation | 12-18% | Gauge and temper condition, measured on a standard gauge length |
| Density | 2.66 g/cm3 | Fixed by alloy composition |
Two points deserve emphasis. First, elongation is gauge dependent: a thick plate tested on a proportional gauge length will generally report a slightly different figure than a thin sheet, and the standard defines which applies. Second, the H22 temper is a partially annealed condition, so the material trades some of the strength of a fully hardened temper for the ductility needed in forming, which is exactly why the elongation sits well above the value for H18.
Where 5754 H22 Plate Is Used
Marine structures, hull fittings and deck components
Storage tanks, silos and transport vessels for chemicals and food
Automotive body panels and structural reinforcements
Pressure vessels and welded fabrications requiring good corrosion resistance
Architectural and transport applications needing strength with formability
Heat exchanger and process plant components
The magnesium addition gives 5754 good resistance to sea water and industrial atmospheres, and the alloy retains useful strength after welding because it is not heat-treatable. For applications needing higher as-welded strength, 5083 is the usual alternative; for maximum formability in a similar alloy, 5754 in a softer temper is preferred.
Ordering, Testing and Quality Control
The most common commercial dispute about 5754 H22 is not about the material but about the specification. A purchase order that names only the alloy and temper leaves the acceptance criteria open, and a supplier testing to one standard can be challenged by a buyer testing to another. The remedy is to name the standard, the edition in force under the contract and the gauge-dependent conditions that apply.
Tests should be traceable to individual heats and should record tensile strength, 0.2% proof stress and elongation, together with chemical composition. Dimensional inspection covers thickness, width, length and flatness against the tolerance tables of the named standard. Where the plate will be welded, a qualified welding procedure should be available, since the H22 temper is not a stabilised marine condition and weld properties depend on filler selection and heat input.
Documentation is completed by a mill certificate stating the heat number, the standard applied and the measured results. Where the end use is regulated equipment, certification to EN 10204 3.1 provides the third-party traceability that auditors expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the tensile strength of 5754 H22?
A: Typically 220-275 MPa, depending on gauge and the testing standard applied. ASTM B209 and GB/T 3880 can quote slightly different minimum acceptance values for the same temper.
Q: What yield strength should be expected?
A: Normally 110-130 MPa as a 0.2% proof stress. The partially annealed H22 condition keeps yield strength below that of a fully hardened temper in exchange for better ductility.
Q: Why do ASTM B209 and GB/T 3880 differ?
A: They are written for different markets. ASTM B209 is a broad international sheet and plate specification, while GB/T 3880 sets alloy-by-alloy requirements along with its own tolerance and test method tables.
Q: What elongation does 5754 H22 give?
A: Usually 12-18%. Elongation is measured on the gauge length defined by the standard, so values from different test methods are not directly comparable.
Q: Is 5754 H22 suitable for marine use?
A: Yes for many marine and general corrosion applications. Where higher strength and stabilised corrosion resistance are required for welded hull structures, 5083 in H116 or H321 is selected instead.
Q: How can I be sure the delivered plate complies?
A: Name the alloy, temper, standard and tolerances on the order, then require measured tensile, yield, elongation and composition results on a mill certificate traceable to each heat.
