Aluminum 5059 · temper · default condition
Aluminum 5059-H111
Properties of the H111 condition, compared with the other 5059 tempers.
Standard general-purpose plate/sheet temper: good bending and welding with useful strength; the most commonly stocked 5059 condition outside dedicated marine H116 plate.
What is 5059-H111?
5059-H111 is 5059 in the H111 temper — standard general-purpose plate/sheet temper: good bending and welding with useful strength; the most commonly stocked 5059 condition outside dedicated marine H116 plate. 5059-H111 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). 5059-H111 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).
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-H111 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5059-H111 — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5059 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5059-H111 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-H111 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-H111 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-H111 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-H111 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-H111'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.
Other 5059 tempers and conditions
5059 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5059 overview.
- H111DefaultStandard general-purpose plate/sheet temper: good bending and welding with useful strength; the most commonly stocked 5059 condition outside dedicated marine H116 plate.190 MPa yield · 85 HB
- H136Highest-strength rolled condition offered for 5059 armour plate; lowest ductility and formability, joint design must account for weld softening.400 MPa yield · 122 HB
- H131Pick for ballistic/armour plate and weight-critical structures where strength outweighs formability (MIL-DTL-32341 class).370 MPa yield · 115 HB
- H116Choose for seawater-immersed hulls, decks and tanks: qualified to ASTM B928 exfoliation (ASSET) and intergranular tests at full strength.300 MPa yield · 100 HB
- H321Equivalent-strength alternative to H116 for marine plate; stabilization anneal locks microstructure against age-softening and sensitization.300 MPa yield · 100 HB
- H112Hot-rolled/hot-extruded 5059 with incidental strain hardening, giving marine-grade strength with good weldability and seawater corrosion resistance.185 MPa yield · 95 HB
- OPick for maximum formability (deep drawing, tight bends) when strength is recovered by work hardening or not needed.165 MPa yield · 78 HB
Working with 5059-H111
Is 5059 easy to machine?
Gummy like all high-Mg 5xxx: 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.
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.
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 | — |
5059-H111 — frequently asked
What is 5059-H111 used for?
5059-H111 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 5xxx; stress-corrosion resistant.
What is the yield strength of 5059-H111?
5059-H111 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-H111 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades). Gummy like all high-Mg 5xxx: use sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, high speed with flood lubricant and chip evacuation to avoid built-up edge.
Can 5059-H111 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-H111?
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-H111 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-H111?
5059-H111 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5059-H111?
Yes — 5059-H111 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.