What does EN-AW mean for aluminium sheets? – Standards and designations explained

Aluminium sheets often carry the designation EN-AW, followed by a four-digit number such as EN-AW 5754 or EN-AW 6082. This combination of letters and numbers is more than a simple material identifier – it refers to the European standard system for aluminium materials and provides important information on the alloy, processing and possible applications of the material.

What exactly does EN-AW mean?

EN-AW stands for "European Norm – Aluminium Wrought Alloy". The term "wrought alloy" refers to wrought alloys, i.e. aluminium materials that have been processed by mechanical methods such as rolling, pressing or forging. The designation is therefore not just a formal identifier, but a structured indication of the type and origin of the material.

In Europe, the designation is part of the standard EN 573, which lays down the chemical composition and the system of alloy designations. The aim of this standardisation is to define aluminium alloys unambiguously and make them comparable across borders – a decisive advantage for procurement, design and quality assurance in an industrial environment.

The structure of the designation is as follows:

• EN: European Norm
• AW: Aluminium Wrought (wrought alloy)
• XXXX: Four-digit alloy number

Example: EN-AW 5754 designates a rollable aluminium alloy with magnesium as the main alloying element. Such codes are essential for clear communication between designers, suppliers and processors.

Which standards stand behind EN-AW?

EN 573 – Chemical composition and designation

This standard lays down the systematic naming and the permissible chemical composition of aluminium and aluminium alloys. It is the basis for all further standards, as it describes which alloying elements may be present in which quantities and how the alloy is to be identified.

EN 485 – Mechanical properties of sheets, strips and plates

The standard EN 485 specifies the mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation and hardness for aluminium products in flat form. It is particularly important for designers who rely on reliable material values for calculation and dimensioning.

EN 515 – Temper designations

This standard describes the various delivery tempers of aluminium, e.g. soft-annealed (O), strain-hardened (H) or heat-treated (T). It helps to adapt the mechanical properties specifically to the respective application.

EN 755 – Aluminium profiles

EN 755 defines the requirements for extruded aluminium profiles. In addition to geometric tolerances, it also regulates mechanical properties and test methods. The standard is essential for profile processing in construction or mechanical engineering.

EN 1706 – Casting alloys

This standard applies to aluminium casting alloys. Instead of EN-AW, the designation EN AC is used here. It regulates the chemical composition, mechanical properties and castability of the materials.

These standards ensure that aluminium products are classified and specified uniformly throughout Europe.

Distinction: wrought alloy (EN-AW) vs. casting alloy (EN-AC)

A common misconception is the confusion of wrought and casting alloys:

• EN-AW: for wrought alloys, mechanically deformable, e.g. plates, sheets, profiles
• EN-AC: for casting alloys, cast in moulds, not deformable

Both alloy types differ significantly in their properties and areas of application.

Common EN-AW alloys and their properties

Here is an overview of typical aluminium alloys with EN-AW designation:

EN-AW number	Material number	Main alloying element	Properties	Typical applications
1050	3.0255	Pure aluminium	soft, good corrosion resistance	chemical industry, reflectors
5754	3.3535	Magnesium	seawater-resistant, medium strength	vehicle construction, shipbuilding
6082	3.2315	Magnesium, silicon	high strength, good machinability	mechanical engineering, structural components
7075	3.4365	Zinc	very high strength, lower corrosion resistance	aviation, high-performance components

This table shows the wide range of properties that can be achieved through targeted alloy selection.

What do additions such as T6 or H111 mean?

In addition to the alloy number such as EN-AW 5754 or EN-AW 6082, additions such as T6 or H111 indicate the so-called delivery temper. These indications are decisive for the mechanical properties of the aluminium sheet and refer to its thermal or mechanical treatment before delivery.

The addition T6 means that the material was solution-annealed and then artificially aged. The result is a very high strength, which makes T6 particularly attractive for applications with high mechanical requirements – for example in mechanical engineering or in load-bearing structures.

H111, on the other hand, describes a slightly strain-hardened temper. Here, the material is only minimally further deformed after the rolling process, which increases its dimensional stability without making it brittle. H111 is frequently used in applications where good formability combined with increased strength is desired, for example in vehicle construction.

The temper O stands for soft-annealed. Here, the material is specifically heated in order to relieve stresses and achieve maximum formability. Soft-annealed sheets can be edged, bent or deep-drawn particularly well – for example in the production of complex geometries or containers.

These additions are part of the standard EN 515 and help to adapt the material optimally to its later use. In addition to the EN-AW designation, there is often a temper indication that describes the thermal or mechanical treatment:

• T6: solution-annealed and aged – high strength
• H111: slightly strain-hardened – improves dimensional stability
• O: soft-annealed

These tempers influence mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength and formability.

Why is the EN-AW designation important in practice?

The unambiguous identification by EN-AW offers several advantages:

• Ordering free of confusion in purchasing and warehousing
• Legally secure specification in mechanical engineering or in drawings
• Traceability of properties when selecting suitable materials
• Compatibility with international standards, e.g. DIN, ISO, ASTM

For designers, buyers and processors, this means greater certainty and adherence to plan in the project.

Conclusion: EN-AW makes aluminium clearly identifiable

The designation EN-AW is more than a technical abbreviation. It provides structured information on alloy, processing and standard compliance. Anyone who selects, processes or specifies aluminium sheets cannot avoid this system – and benefits from standardisation through uniform quality standards and material transparency.