5005 Aluminum Pipe Price 2025

In 2025 the market for 5005 aluminum pipe is governed by two facts: primary aluminium trading around ~$2,500–$2,700 per tonne on the LME, and finished 5005 extruded pipe pricing that typically sits in the ~$1.8–$4.0 per kg band depending on specification, quantity and finish (bulk extrusions from China are at the lower end; small-quantity, value-added finished tubing in North America or Europe sits at the higher end). For most commercial, architectural and light structural uses 5005 offers an excellent cost/perform-performance balance; if you need factory-direct supply, custom tempering or fast delivery from China, Luokaiwei can meet MOQ and customization requests with competitive ex-factory pricing and quick lead times.

What is alloy 5005

5005 is a wrought aluminium–magnesium alloy (member of the 5xxx series) with nominal ~0.5–1.1% Mg and very low copper. It is non-heat-treatable and attains strength by cold work. Key characteristics are: good formability, high corrosion resistance in atmospheric environments, good weldability and suitability for anodized architectural finishes. These material traits make 5005 particularly attractive for architectural tubing, signage, light structural sections and some marine/food handling uses.

Mechanical properties & common tempers used for pipe

• Typical temper: H14 / H24 / H34 variants appear in extruded or drawn tubing; the temper determines yield/tensile properties and formability.

• Strength range: Tensile strength commonly in the range ~120–200 MPa depending on temper and cold work.

• Density & conversion: aluminium density ≈ 2.70 g/cm³ — use this for mass/length calculations.

Practical note: for pressure or structural applications confirm the temper and proof load; for architectural/exterior uses, H34 or other stable tempers are commonly requested because they hold shape and anodize well.

Manufacturing formats & relevant standards

5005 pipe is produced as drawn, extruded, or welded tube depending on diameter and wall thickness. Common standards and specifications used across the industry include ASTM B221 (extruded bars, tubes), ASTM B241 (seamless tube), ASTM B483 (drawn tube) and ISO tolerances for cold-drawn tubes (ISO 6363 series). When you request quotes, specify the relevant ASTM/ISO standard, temper and required mechanical test reports (T-P or MTC). These standards determine allowable tolerances, surface finish and testing requirements — and therefore price.

2025 raw material context that drives price

Primary aluminium price is the largest upstream driver. In mid-August 2025 the LME aluminium cash/3-month region was trading around $2,500–2,700/tonne, with regional premiums (e.g., US Midwest delivery premium) adding to the landed cost for downstream processors. Tariffs, logistics and premiums continue to create regional gaps between the LME benchmark and the price paid for finished tubes. Because 5005 is an aluminium-rich product, finished pipe pricing tracks these trends with lag and with variance from processing, alloying and finish costs.

How a finished pipe price is built (cost stack)

A buyer should think in layers:

1. Metal base — metal weight × refined aluminium price (LME + premium).

2. Alloy/processing premium — alloying, extrusion/drawing, cold-working.

3. Value-added finishing — anodizing, polishing, coating, cutting, CNC.

4. Testing & documentation — MTC, mechanical tests, PMI, third-party inspection.

5. Logistics & trade costs — packing, inland transport, container freight, insurance, duties.

6. Seller margin — depends on direct factory vs distributor; factory-direct (100% ex-works) will typically be the cheapest unit price.

If you order from a Chinese factory for bulk stock (full container), metal and processing dominate; for small, single-piece orders exported from a distributor, overhead and margin dominate.

2025 global price comparison

Important: finished pipe price varies with OD, wall thickness (WT), temper, finish and quantity. The table below gives typical market ranges observed in 2025; cite representative supplier listings and market indices used to create the ranges.

How we compiled these ranges: marketplace quotes for 5005 tubing and coils, supplier pages, and LME base price trends (see sources). Use these as a negotiation starting point rather than absolute retail prices.

Example: convert price to common buying units

Say you need 50 m of Ø25 mm × 2.0 mm wall 5005 tube. Estimate mass per metre:

1. Cross-sectional area (annulus) = π × ( (D/2)² − (d/2)² ), where D = 25 mm, d = 21 mm. Area ≈ π × (12.5² − 10.5²) mm² ≈ π × (156.25 − 110.25) = π × 46 = 144.5 mm² = 0.0001445 m².

2. Mass per metre = area × density = 0.0001445 m² × 2700 kg/m³ ≈ 0.39 kg/m.

3. For 50 m → mass ≈ 19.5 kg.

4. If price is $2.20/kg (FOB China bulk) → material cost ≈ $42.9 plus extrusion, finish and freight. If buying 50 m only, small-order premium will make the actual cost materially higher.

This shows how small orders are disproportionally affected by fixed costs and minimum processing charges — always ask suppliers for per-piece processing fees and MOQ discounts.

Specification choices that change price materially

• Wall thickness: thin-wall tubing is cheaper per metre but costs more to form and guarantee tolerances.

• Outer diameter: larger OD usually means higher absolute cost but lower cost/kg if volume benefits exist.

• Temper: H34/H24 ordering may carry small premium.

• Surface finish: anodized or special cosmetic finishes add to cost; “special anodizing quality” is often a premium request (note: some 5005 lots may show streaking unless special finish is requested).

• Tolerance class & testing: request of exacting dimensional tolerances or pressure testing increases price.

• Packaging / inspection: export-grade timber crates, ultrasonic testing, PMI certificates or third-party inspection raise the bid.

Procurement & quality checklist

When sourcing 5005 pipe we recommend the following minimum items be confirmed in the RFQ:

• Alloy & UNS / EN designation (e.g., 5005 / A95005).

• Temper (H14/H24/H34 etc).

• Manufacturing method and applicable standard (ASTM B221 / B241 / ISO 6363-6).

• Mechanical test report (tensile, yield), chemical analysis (spectro), and MTC (EN 10204).

• Surface finish, anodizing spec (if required), and sample approval process.

• MOQ, unit price tiers by tonnage, lead time, packing and CIF/FOB Incoterm.

• Factory photos, QC process, and third-party inspection (optional but recommended for critical projects).

Supply chain notes & 2025 risks

• Primary metal price volatility: LME movements and regional premiums create the base swing.

• Tariffs & trade policy: recent tariff moves and regional premiums (such as U.S. delivery premiums) materially change landed costs for certain buyers. Factor that into landed cost models.

• Logistics: container cost and port congestion remain a variable; if you need fast delivery, source from stocked warehouses or a supplier with local inventory.

• Scrap availability: in some markets, recycled aluminium prices and availability influence local mill pricing.

• Quality mismatches: be strict about temper, anodize quality, and dimensional tolerance to avoid rework.

Applications where 5005 pipe is the right choice

• Architectural applications — anodized trim, curtain rails, balustrades.

• Signage and display systems — excellent finish for anodizing and bending.

• Light structural tubing where high strength is not the first requirement but corrosion resistance is.

• Non-critical fluid tubing and some HVAC components (where chemical compatibility is acceptable).

When not to choose 5005: pressure-vessel piping, high-temperature service, or heavily loaded structural members where higher-strength alloys (e.g., 6061, 6082 or certain 5xxx with higher Mg) are better suited.

Competitive alloys & brief comparison

• 5052: higher Mg content, stronger and better for marine applications; often used for formed & welded tubing.

• 6061: heat-treatable, much higher strength — chosen when mechanical strength and machinability are paramount.

• 6063 / 6082: common extruded structural alloys offering a balance between appearance and strength.

Choose 5005 when you prioritize corrosion resistance, anodizing quality and formability at a competitive price.

How Luokaiwei can help (manufacturing & commercial advantages)

We manufacture and export aluminium products from China and operate close to mills and extruders. Our advantages for buyers of 5005 pipe:

• Factory direct pricing: we offer 100% ex-works factory advantage for bulk orders to keep unit cost down.

• Customization: we support custom OD/WT/length/temper and special packaging.

• Stock & fast delivery: we maintain inventory of common sizes; stock orders can ship far faster than new extrusions.

• Quality control: chemical analysis, MTC (EN 10204), mechanical tests, and support for third-party inspection on request.

• Competitive MOQs: for larger projects we provide tiered pricing — smaller trial orders are also supported with transparent processing fees.

If you want an exact ex-works or CIF quote for your specification (OD, WT, temper, finish, quantity, destination port), send us the drawing and required MTC level; we will return a factory quote with lead time and packing details.

Negotiation & buying tips

• Ask for tiered quotes (1–5 tons, 5–20 tons, >20 tons) — per-kg price drops substantially at larger MOQ.

• Confirm units — many supplier listings on B2B platforms show inconsistent units (per piece vs per kg vs per ton). Always confirm USD/kg or USD/tonne.

• Get sample for anodize and dimensional verification before full production.

• Include freight & duty in landed cost when comparing global offers. A low FOB price can be offset by a high freight or tariff.

• Negotiate payment & inspection terms — partial payment with inspection release mitigates risk.

FAQs

Q1 — What is a realistic FOB China bulk price for 5005 pipe in 2025?
A1 — For standard extruded 5005 tubing in bulk (full container) buyers typically see $1.8–$3.0 per kg depending on size, temper and finish; confirm exact USD/kg with supplier and MOQ details. Representative supplier listings on Chinese B2B platforms show offers in this range.

Q2 — Does the LME aluminium price directly set finished pipe prices?
A2 — It’s the primary driver but finished product prices add processing, alloying, finishing, freight and duty — so the finished-pipe price ≠ LME × mass. Expect finished pricing to lag and include a processing premium.

Q3 — Is 5005 suitable for anodized architectural tubes?
A3 — Yes. 5005 anodizes well and is widely used for decorative and architectural profiles; ask for “special anodising quality” if surface appearance is critical.

Q4 — What standards should I request on the PO?
A4 — Specify alloy (5005 / UNS A95005), temper, and the production standard (ASTM B221/B241 or ISO 6363 family as applicable). Require mechanical and chemical MTC (EN 10204 2.1/3.1) and inspection rights.

Q5 — How long does a custom extrusion take?
A5 — Typical lead time for a new extrusion die and production run is 4–8 weeks depending on die availability, shop schedule and finishing; stocked items can ship in days. Confirm before ordering.

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Short recommendation & action checklist

If you are buying 5005 pipe in 2025:

• For lowest price buy factory-direct in China and consolidate quantity.

• For fast delivery choose stocked sizes or suppliers with local warehouses.

• For high cosmetic quality specify special anodizing and request appearance samples.

• For critical applications insist on MTC, PMI and third-party inspection.