Aluminum 5056
AA 5056 · UNS A95056 · EN AW-5056, AW 5056
5056 is a non-heat-treatable Al–5Mg alloy (Mg 4.5–5.6 % with small Mn and Cr additions) that reaches the highest strength of the common wrought 5000-series alloys without heat treatment.
5056 tempers and conditions
5056 is supplied in 12 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 12 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum ductility in deep drawing, heading of rivet wire or severe bending before a final work-hardening step. | 152 | 290 | 35 | 65 HB | 29 % IACS |
Slightly strain hardened | Essentially soft material that has picked up light straightening/flattening work; used where O-temper ductility is wanted from an as-shipped mill product. | 165 | 300 | 30 | 68 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Most commonly stocked stabilized temper: balanced strength and ductility with age-softening suppressed, suitable for marine sheet, wire and formed hardware. | 235 | 330 | 20 | 78 HB | 28 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light cold work for a modest strength gain while keeping most forming ability. | 235 | 325 | 18 | 78 HB | 28 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Mid-strength cold-worked condition for flat parts and moderately formed brackets. | 285 | 360 | 14 | 88 HB | 27.8 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Choose when H32 strength is insufficient but some bending is still required in a stabilized, SCC-resistant condition. | 285 | 365 | 14 | 88 HB | 27.8 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, three-quarter hard | High-strength stabilized sheet/wire for lightly formed structural parts. | 315 | 390 | 12 | 95 HB | 27.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Fully hard but stabilized against age softening — the standard high-strength condition for 5056 wire, screening and rivets. | 345 | 415 | 15 | 100 HB | 27 % IACS |
Hard drawn and stabilized wire | H192 wire given a stabilizing heat treatment to prevent age softening and reduce SCC susceptibility; used for long-life screening and marine wire. | 370 | 425 | 9 | 102 HB | 28 % IACS |
Hard drawn wire | Registered special wire temper for cold-headed rivets, insect screen and armour wire where a defined hard-drawn tensile band is specified. | 400 | 435 | 7 | 105 HB | 27 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Highest-strength standard temper; the classic choice for cable-armour wire, screening wire and high-strength rivet stock. | 405 | 435 | 10 | 105 HB | 27 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Heavily drawn wire above H18 strength where maximum tensile is required and bendability is not critical. | 425 | 455 | 6 | 110 HB | 27 % IACS |
What is 5056?
5056 is a non-heat-treatable Al–5Mg alloy (Mg 4.5–5.6 % with small Mn and Cr additions) that reaches the highest strength of the common wrought 5000-series alloys without heat treatment. It is chosen mainly for rivet and cable-armour wire, insect screening, zipper wire and marine hardware because of its excellent salt-water corrosion resistance, good weldability with 5356 filler and high work-hardening capacity. Its limits are a low maximum service temperature (~65 °C, above which β-phase precipitation causes sensitization and stress-corrosion cracking), no response to age hardening, and mediocre machinability in soft tempers. 5056 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 568°C (1,054 °F). 5056 has a yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is 5056 used for?
- Zippers
- Nails
- Rivets
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 76/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 20%, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 112 W/m·K (64.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 28 % IACS, worse than 82% of aluminum grades
5056 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5056 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 568°C (1,054 °F).
Mechanical10
5056 has a yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
5056 is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 112 W/m·K (64.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 24.1 µm/m·K (13.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5056 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, worse than 82% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (76/100), better than 90% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5056 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
5056's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (55/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 5056 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5056
Is 5056 easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge in O temper; use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed and flood emulsion — hard tempers (H18/H38) chip much more cleanly.
Can 5056 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with ER5356 or ER5183 filler; avoid 4000 series Si fillers (brittle Mg2Si) and keep interpass temperature low to limit sensitization.
Can 5056 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H111 with high work-hardening rate; hard tempers need generous bend radii, and forming above ~60 °C should be avoided to prevent β-phase precipitation.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 5056. Every 5056 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent85 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
5056 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mn | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Mgprimary strengthening element | 4.5 – 5.6 | 5 |
| Cr | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5056?
Takes bright, clear and hard anodizing very well and chemically brightens for decorative trim; mechanically polishes to a good luster but is not suited to brazing or hot-dip coating.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 5056 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A95056
- Aluminum Association
- AA5056
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-5056AW 5056
How much does 5056 cost?
5056 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 82% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
5056 — frequently asked
What is 5056 used for?
5056 is typically used for zippers, nails and rivets. In short: highest strength 5-series.
What is the yield strength of 5056?
5056 has a typical yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 5056 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge in O temper; use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed and flood emulsion — hard tempers (H18/H38) chip much more cleanly.
Can 5056 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with ER5356 or ER5183 filler; avoid 4000 series Si fillers (brittle Mg2Si) and keep interpass temperature low to limit sensitization.
What surface finishes work on 5056?
Takes bright, clear and hard anodizing very well and chemically brightens for decorative trim; mechanically polishes to a good luster but is not suited to brazing or hot-dip coating.
Can 5056 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H111 with high work-hardening rate; hard tempers need generous bend radii, and forming above ~60 °C should be avoided to prevent β-phase precipitation.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5056?
5056 is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 5056 cost?
5056 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 82% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5056?
Yes — 5056 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B211 / B221 — Aluminum-Alloy Bar, Rod, Wire and Extruded Products — ASTM International (2019)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys, chemical composition and wrought product properties — CEN (2019)
- Aluminum 5056 alloy property records (O, H18, H38, H192) — MatWeb / ASM Alloy Center (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.