Aluminum Alloy 5356 (UNS A95356)

Aluminum 5356 is a premium 5xxx-series aluminum-magnesium alloy specifically engineered for welding applications. It contains magnesium as its primary alloying element and has good strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance.
| Chemical Composition | ||
|---|---|---|
| Element | Min | Max |
| Aluminum | 92.9% | 95.3% |
| Chromium | 0.05% | 0.2% |
| Copper | —— | 0.1% |
| Iron | —— | 0.4% |
| Magnesium | 4.5% | 5.5% |
| Manganese | 0.05% | 0.2% |
| Silicon | —— | 0.25% |
| Titanium | 0.06% | 0.2% |
| Zinc | —— | 0.1% |
| Residuals | —— | 0.15% |
The following table provides a list of aluminum 5356 properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units.
Click on the button to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Density | 2640 kg/m3 |
| Mechanical Properties | Metric |
| Tensile Strength | 240 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 110 MPa |
| Young’s Modulus (E) | 70 - 80 GPa |
| Shear Modulus (G) | 26 GPa |
| Elongation at Break | 12% |
| Poisson’s Ratio (ν) | 0.33 |
| Brinell Hardness | 110 HB |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Melting Point | 570 - 635 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 116 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 900 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 2.35×10-5 1/°C |
| Electrical Properties | Metric |
| Electrical Conductivity | 1.68×107 S/m |
| Electrical Resistivity | 5.94×10-8 Ω·m |
The values in this table are approximate and can vary depending on various factors such as the specific manufacturing process and heat treatment applied to the alloy.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Aluminum 5356
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Good weldability | May require post-weld heat treatment |
| High strength | Susceptible to cracking |
| Corrosion resistance | Limited use on certain alloys |
| Ductility and toughness |
Applications of Aluminum 5356
Aluminum 5356 is commonly used in a variety of applications that require high strength, good corrosion resistance, and excellent weldability, including:
- Welding wire: Commonly used as a welding wire for joining aluminum alloys with similar composition, especially in the shipbuilding, construction, and transportation industries.
- Marine industry: Widely used for manufacturing boats, ships, and other offshore structures due to its excellent corrosion resistance and high strength.
- Aerospace industry: Used for manufacturing airplane components such as wings, fuselage, and fuel tanks, as it offers a good balance of strength and weight.
- Automotive industry: Applied in the manufacturing of lightweight components, such as body panels, frames, and suspension parts.
- Pressure vessels: Suitable for manufacturing pressure vessels due to its high strength, good weldability, and corrosion resistance.
- Structural applications: Used in various structural applications such as bridges, buildings, and towers, where its high strength, good ductility, and toughness are advantageous.
