5456 aluminum is renowned for its welding and strength-to-weight properties. Due to these factors, 5456 finds wide application in storage vessels, ship components, and oil tanks. Follow along if you want to discover the characteristics of 5456 and its feasibility for your next project.
What Is 5456 Aluminum?
5456 is a marine-grade aluminum that exhibits excellent corrosion strength. As part of the 5000Al series, 5456 is primarily alloyed with magnesium to enhance strength and welding properties.
5456 is also a wrought alloy, meaning it is primarily strengthened through cold-working processes. These include forming, rolling, bending, stamping, and other techniques.
Chemical Composition
Magnesium is the primary alloying element, contributing up to 5.5% of 5456’s composition. Furthermore, magnesium creates tiny distortions in 5456’s microstructure called dislocations. These dislocations accumulate and make it more difficult for the metal to deform further.
Physical & Thermal Properties
5456 is characterized by these properties:
-
- Density: Aluminum is light and has a density of 2.7g/cm3.
- Young’s modulus: The Young’s modulus of aluminum is 69 GPa.
- Thermal conductivity: 5456 has a thermal conductivity score of 120 W/m-K.
- Coefficient of thermal expansion: The thermal expansion of 5456 is about 23.9 μm/m °C.
- Electrical conductivity (IACS% %): 5456 aluminum exhibits a 29% IACS score. This is inferior compared to copper’s 100% conductivity rating.
- Brinell Hardness: 5456 aluminum has a Brinell Hardness (HB) score of 90.
Mechanical & Strength Properties (By Temper)
In this section, you discover the mechanical properties of 5456 aluminum.
General Strength Characteristics
5456 is a marine-grade alloy, meaning it is widely used in ships, tanks, and other offshore structures. Manufacturers love the metal because:
- It possesses a high strength-to-weight ratio, which is ideal for fuel-conserving appliances.
- It is generally resistant to pitting and moisture corrosion.
- It is easy to weld and form 5456 aluminum, but after welding, the metal near the weld can become softer.
- It also keeps its strength in cold environments,
- 5456 aluminum possesses moderate hardness, so it doesn’t dent or break easily.
Typical Values by Temper
| Temper | Yield Strength (Rp0.2) | Ultimate Tensile (Rm) | Elongation / Ductility |
| H111 | 125 – 205 MPa | 285 – 360 MPa | ≥ 16% |
| H116 / H321 | Around 230 MPa or higher | 315 to 405 MPa | About 10~12% |
5456 aluminum is characterized by a high fatigue strength, so it suitable for appliances that withstand repeated stress cycles.
Furthermore, this metal is primarily strengthened through cold-work techniques such as bending, stamping, and rolling. For more details, check the guide on non-heat treatable alloys.
Limitations & Environmental Sensitivities
Even though 5456 aluminum is a marine alloy and corrosion-resistant, it still has some limits:
- 5456 aluminum becomes susceptible to exfoliation corrosion when held above 65 °C for prolonged periods.
- 5456 can suffer from stress corrosion cracking if it’s under heavy stress in salty or humid environments,
- If the cross-section is too thick, it can become prone to stiffness and cracking
- After welding, the metal near the weld becomes softer, so you have to design carefully to keep it strong.
- 5456 aluminum can be difficult to machine; therefore, you must use carbide tools to make the job easier. Coolants will also help you prolong the lifetime of cutting tools.
Comparisons: 5456 vs Other Alloys
Let’s see how 5456 aluminum alloy compares with other alloys.
5456 vs 5052
Both 5456 and 5052 resist saltwater corrosion well, but 5456 is more susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. This makes 5052 the preferred choice in fuel lines and pressure tanks.
5456 vs 5083
5083 offers better saltwater resistance than 5456. While both alloys exhibit good welding capacity, 5083 retains the most strength after welding. Consequently, it is a good choice in pressure vessels, rail cars, vehicle frames, and more.
5456 vs 6061
Compared to 5456, 6061 alloy offers fair corrosion resistance but better machinability. 6061 is also heat-treatable and widely used in structural components.
Equivalent Alloys / Cross-references
Direct equivalents of 5456 are AA 5457, UNS A95456, EN AW-5456, JIS A5456, etc.
5083 emerges as a good substitute if you need an alloy with high corrosion resistance, while 5052 is preferred for easy shaping.
Forms, Products & Metric Types
5456 grade of aluminum is commercially available in:
- Sheets
- Plates
- Round bars
- Extrusions
- Rods
- Angled profiles
Specifics & Use Cases
- You can use 5456 aluminum plate for ship hulls, decks, pressure tanks, and heavy structural panels.
- 5456 aluminum sheet is a superior choice for thin overlay gauges and interior panels
- 5456 aluminum angle is widely used for structural parts such as decks, frames, edges, reinforcements, and marine connectors.
- 5456 aluminum round bar is used for pins, shafts, bolts, machine parts, and fittings.
- Extrusions are custom shapes pushed through dies like tubes. You can use them when you need specific shapes for docks and framing systems.
When it comes to finding the right supplier, you must go to specialized mills and distributors. Some certifications to look out for are:
- ASTM B209,
- ASTM B221,
- and EN573/485. Common suppliers are in China and India.
Regarding tempers, 5456 is commercially available in the 0, H111, H116, and H321 tempers.
Annealed 5456 is soft and easy to shape for forming or machining. H111 temper is slightly strained but still easy to form and weld. H116 has been tempered for marine service and has great corrosion resistance. H321 has been stabilized for higher strength and stress resistance.
It is easy to source 5456 sheets and plates. But you might need to forward custom orders or visit the mill if you need bars and custom extrusions. Additionally, check the temper, thickness, range, and certification before making your purchase since these factors affect the cost per unit.
Applications & Use-Cases
Aluminum 5456 is widely used in the following applications due to its corrosion strength.
- Marine: Hull plates, decks, structural frames, bulkheads, stiffeners, and fittings.
- Cryogenic tanks: You can use 5456 for LNG or oxygen tanks, storage vessels, pipelines, and other cryogenic fittings.
- Construction: Bridge decks, wall panels, platforms, chemical plants, pipe supports, ocean platforms, and architectural facades.
- Defense and military: 5456 is a good choice for defence components due to its high strength and corrosion resistance. These include truck panels, fuel tank shells, and rail cars.
5456 aluminum welds well with the right filler metals; join it using MIG or TIG welding and corrosion resistant fillers like ER5356 or ER55556. You can also use Friction Stir Welding (FSW) to join the parts for fine recrystallized grains that keep almost the same strength.
For overlapping sheets or plates, use lap welding with either FSW or MIG. FSW gives a smooth, uniform joint with fine grain microstructure and excellent joint strength.
Buying & Pricing Guide for 5456 Aluminum
When purchasing aluminum, you must stay updated on the latest pricing trends. As of October 2025, a 5456 sheet costs $29.27 on average, but this value alters depending on size and quality finish.
In contrast, the H321 temper of 5456 plate costs around US$2800 per ton when sourced from major Chinese mills.
Since 5456 material cost depends on form, thickness, and temper, custom cut sheets or extrusions may also cost more per unit. Additionally, tempers like H116 and H321 undergo more manufacturing processes, increasing their cost.
Choosing the Suppliers
When choosing a 5456 supplier, always go for stock that can be traced and certified. The key certifications include ASTM B928, ISO 9001, DNV, ABS, Material Test Reports, mill certificates, etc.
You can source these materials locally or globally. With local suppliers, you get faster delivery and easier inspection. The downside is that these suppliers may have limited stock or temper options. Global suppliers like China offer a wider range and lower prices per ton. The downside is you’ll have to wait longer to get your shipment.
Always check the minimum order quantity (MOQ) since some mills may want you to order at least two tons per order. Also, confirm the lead time since standard stock can ship in days, while custom orders can take weeks. Inspect the surface finishes and aluminum condition before final acceptance.
Tips for Specifying in Purchase Orders
Before placing an order, make sure your purchase order clearly states the following:
- Alloy temper like annealed, H116, H321, etc.
- Specify the thickness, width, length, and other dimensions within the required limits
- Reference the equivalent codes like AA 5456 and ASTM B209
- Get your MTRs, marine class approval, and ISO compliance certificates
- Request an anti corrosion wrap and packaging
Machining, Forming & Fabrication Considerations
Here are practical considerations when working with 5456 alloy of aluminum.
Machining Tips
It is best to use sharp carbide cutting tools when machining 5456 aluminum. The alloy exhibits a high degree of hardness, so lower quality tools won’t cut efficiently. Other aluminum CNC machining practices include:
- Keeping the spindle speed low to prevent overheating and gummy chips.
- Use a good cutting fluid as a coolant to remove heat and keep the surface smooth.
- Use light cuts and proper lubrication to avoid scratches or tearing.
Forming, Bending & Rolling
Best practices for cold working 5456 alloy include
- Cold forming works best for small bends and light profiles; use heat only for thicker or complex parts.
- For more difficult shapes, heat it to around 400 to 480 °C. Light forging is possible in that same temperature range.
Heat Treatment & Aging
5456 alloy is not strengthened by most heat treatments, but it can undergo limited thermal treatments to achieve better formability. Softened 5456 in the O temper produces easier cuts during CNC-machining.
Besides solution-treating, 5456 may be forged around 400 °C to 480 °C. Forging thick 5456 cross sections relieves internal stresses while preventing cracks.
Corrosion Protection & Surface Treatments
You can coat or paint 5456 alloy if you want to enhance its durability against pollutants. Furthermore, 5456 responds well to decorative treatments, which improve aesthetic value.
When anodizing 5456 alloy, clean the metal thoroughly to ensure no oil or debris is left on the surface. After, you can apply sealants like epoxy or marine paint to increase pitting resistance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 5456 grade of aluminum offers exceptional corrosion, welding, and fatigue properties. It is also highly versatile, finding wide application in military vehicles, chemical plants, cryogenic fittings, and more.
FAQs
H111 vs 5456-H116: What’s the big difference?
H111 is slightly strain-hardened, easy to form, and weld. H116, in contrast, is specially tempered for marine service, offering superior corrosion-resistance and mechanical strength.
Can you weld 5456? Which filler metal is used?
Yes. 5456 welds well using MIG or TIG with ER5356 or ER5556 filler rods.
Is 5456 marine-grade aluminum?
Yes. It’s a marine-grade alloy ideal for ships, decks, hulls, tanks, and offshore platforms.
How much does a 5456 aluminum plate cost per ton?
Around US$2,800 per ton, depending on form, temper, and supplier.
Which alloys are equivalent to 5456?
AA 5457, UNS A95456, EN AW-5456, and JIS A5456 are direct equivalents of 5456 aluminum.
What are the disadvantages or limitations of 5456 aluminum?
5456 alloy is limited by poor machinability. Stress corrosion cracking is also a concern when your 5456 is kept at elevated temperatures.
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