Aluminum 5059
AA 5059 · UNS A95059 · EN AW-5059, AlMg5.5MnZnZr · also Alustar
5059 is a high-strength 5000 series Al-Mg plate alloy (EN AW-5059, AlMg5.5MnZnZr, A95059) in which Zn and Zr additions raise strength and stabilise the structure against sensitisation.
Values for the H111 condition
5059 tempers and conditions
5059 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. H111 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum formability (deep drawing, tight bends) when strength is recovered by work hardening or not needed. | 165 | 345 | 24 | 78 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Hot-rolled/hot-extruded 5059 with incidental strain hardening, giving marine-grade strength with good weldability and seawater corrosion resistance. | 185 | 355 | 20 | 95 HB | 29 % IACS |
H111Default Slightly strain hardened | Standard general-purpose plate/sheet temper: good bending and welding with useful strength; the most commonly stocked 5059 condition outside dedicated marine H116 plate. | 190 | 360 | 20 | 85 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened, corrosion-resistant marine temper | Choose for seawater-immersed hulls, decks and tanks: qualified to ASTM B928 exfoliation (ASSET) and intergranular tests at full strength. | 300 | 400 | 13 | 100 HB | 28 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, marine temper | Equivalent-strength alternative to H116 for marine plate; stabilization anneal locks microstructure against age-softening and sensitization. | 300 | 400 | 13 | 100 HB | 28 % IACS |
High strain-hardened armour/high-strength plate | Pick for ballistic/armour plate and weight-critical structures where strength outweighs formability (MIL-DTL-32341 class). | 370 | 450 | 10 | 115 HB | — |
Strain hardened to highest armour strength level | Highest-strength rolled condition offered for 5059 armour plate; lowest ductility and formability, joint design must account for weld softening. | 400 | 470 | 8 | 122 HB | 27 % IACS |
What is 5059?
5059 is a high-strength 5000 series Al-Mg plate alloy (EN AW-5059, AlMg5.5MnZnZr, A95059) in which Zn and Zr additions raise strength and stabilise the structure against sensitisation. Marine and defence users select it for welded plate structures where as-welded joint strength governs; common forms are H116/H321 plate and O/H111 sheet, with 190 MPa yield, 360 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and 85 HB in the default condition. It is gummy to machine, service temperature is limited to 65 °C to avoid sensitisation, and it is not heat-treatable. 5083-H116 is the lower-cost, more widely stocked alternative. 5059 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 570°C (1,058 °F). 5059 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 5059 used for?
- Naval superstructures
- Marine hulls and plating
- Patrol and fast-ferry structures
- Military vehicle structural panels
- Welded storage tanks
- Deck houses and bulkheads
- Structural sheet-metal weldments
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 20%, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 32 MPa·√m (29.1 ksi·√in), better than 83% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 83% 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 — 115 W/m·K (66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades
5059 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5059-H111; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5059 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 570°C (1,058 °F).
Mechanical12
5059 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5059 is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 115 W/m·K (66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5059 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5059 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
5059's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (70/100).
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. 5059 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5059
Is 5059 easy to machine?
Gummy like all high-Mg 5000 series: use sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, high speed with flood lubricant and chip evacuation to avoid built-up edge.
Can 5059 be welded?
Very good with GMAW/GTAW using 5183 or 5087/5356 filler (5087 preferred for strength and corrosion); expect HAZ softening to about O/H111 level and avoid preheat above ~120 °C.
Can 5059 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form in O/H111; H116/H321 plate needs generous bend radii (≥2–3 t) and allowance for high springback; hot forming above ~200 °C risks sensitization.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 5059. Every 5059 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Good42 / 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 | Good70 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent85 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
5059 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 | ≤ 0.45 | 0.15 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 1.2 | 0.85 |
| Mgprimary strengthening element | 5 – 6 | 5.5 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Zn | 0.4 – 0.9 | 0.65 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Zrgrain-structure control, recrystallisation resistance | 0.05 – 0.25 | 0.13 |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5059?
Anodizes to a slightly grey film, takes marine primers/epoxies well after alkaline etch; not brazeable, and mechanical polishing yields only fair brightness due to Mg2Si/β constituents.
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 5059 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A95059
- Aluminum Association
- AA5059
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-5059AlMg5.5MnZnZr
- Trade names
- Alustar
How much does 5059 cost?
5059 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 59% 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.
5059 — frequently asked
What is 5059 used for?
5059 is typically used for naval superstructures, marine hulls and plating, patrol and fast-ferry structures, military vehicle structural panels, welded storage tanks and deck houses and bulkheads. In short: higher-strength marine 5000 series; stress-corrosion resistant.
What is the yield strength of 5059?
5059 has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) — weaker than 52% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 5059 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades). Gummy like all high-Mg 5000 series: use sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, high speed with flood lubricant and chip evacuation to avoid built-up edge.
Can 5059 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Very good with GMAW/GTAW using 5183 or 5087/5356 filler (5087 preferred for strength and corrosion); expect HAZ softening to about O/H111 level and avoid preheat above ~120 °C.
What surface finishes work on 5059?
Anodizes to a slightly grey film, takes marine primers/epoxies well after alkaline etch; not brazeable, and mechanical polishing yields only fair brightness due to Mg2Si/β constituents.
Can 5059 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form in O/H111; H116/H321 plate needs generous bend radii (≥2–3 t) and allowance for high springback; hot forming above ~200 °C risks sensitization.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5059?
5059 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.
What is the difference between 5059-H111 and 5059-H136?
H111 is the default condition — standard general-purpose plate/sheet temper: good bending and welding with useful strength; the most commonly stocked 5059 condition outside dedicated marine H116 plate. H136: highest-strength rolled condition offered for 5059 armour plate; lowest ductility and formability, joint design must account for weld softening. Yield strength is 190 MPa in H111 versus 400 MPa in H136.
How much does 5059 cost?
5059 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 59% 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 5059?
Yes — 5059 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
- ASTM B928/B928M — High-Magnesium Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate for Marine Service — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 485-2 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys, sheet/strip/plate: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- Alustar 5059 marine and armour plate data sheet — Aleris / Corus Aluminium (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.