TS EN 515

TS EN 515 is the standard that defines the short temper designations used for wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys. In this context, a temper designation describes not just the alloy itself, but the material condition after processing, helping users understand whether the product is annealed, cold-worked, or precipitation-hardened.

Why temper designations matter

In aluminium technology, temper is a key condition descriptor because it strongly influences strength, ductility, formability, and sometimes dimensional stability. The same alloy can behave very differently in different tempers: for example, one condition may be suited to deep drawing or bending, while another is chosen for higher strength after heat treatment or ageing. In general technical terms, a common temper code gives designers, fabricators, and purchasers a concise way to specify the expected material state.

Product forms covered by the standard

• Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy products in all forms intended to be formed.
• Continuous cast aluminium and aluminium alloy drawing stock intended to be wrought.
• Strip made of formable aluminium and aluminium alloys.

The standard establishes how these tempers are abbreviated and identified, supporting consistent use in specifications, orders, and quality documentation. TS EN 515 is not a test method for determining mechanical properties, nor a product standard for the metal itself; it provides the shared terminology framework used to name temper conditions.

This edition is based on EN 515:1993 and has since been withdrawn. Even so, it remains a useful reference for understanding the logic of temper naming in aluminium products.