Aluminum 5056-H36
Temper
AA 5056 · UNS A95056 · EN AW-5056, AW 5056
H36 = strain hardened and stabilized, three-quarter hard
High-strength stabilized sheet/wire for lightly formed structural parts.
Values for the H36 condition
Other 5056 tempers and conditions
5056 is listed in 12 conditions; see the grade overview at 5056.
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 |
H36This page 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-H36?
5056-H36 is 5056 in the H36 temper — high-strength stabilized sheet/wire for lightly formed structural parts. 5056-H36 has a yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — stronger than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 5056-H36 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).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 77/100, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 315 MPa (45.7 ksi), better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 82/100, better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 80°C (176 °F), worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 111 W/m·K (64.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 27.5 % IACS, worse than 84% of aluminum grades
5056-H36 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5056-H36; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5056 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5056-H36 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-H36 has a yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — stronger than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
5056-H36 is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 111 W/m·K (64.1 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-H36 conducts electricity at 27.5 % IACS, worse than 84% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (77/100), better than 91% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5056-H36 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-H36's machinability is good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (82/100); formability poor (33/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5056-H36
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.
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.
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 | — |
5056-H36 — frequently asked
What is 5056-H36 used for?
5056-H36 is typically used for zippers, nails and rivets. In short: highest strength 5-series.
What is the yield strength of 5056-H36?
5056-H36 has a typical yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — stronger than 79% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 5056-H36 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, worse than 51% 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-H36 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (82/100). 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-H36?
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-H36 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-H36?
5056-H36 is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5056-H36?
Yes — 5056-H36 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.