Aluminum 5059 · temper
Aluminum 5059-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other 5059 tempers.
Pick for maximum formability (deep drawing, tight bends) when strength is recovered by work hardening or not needed.
What is 5059-O?
5059-O is 5059 in the O temper — pick for maximum formability (deep drawing, tight bends) when strength is recovered by work hardening or not needed. 5059-O has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 5059-O 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). H111 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; O is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 80/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 24%, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 32 MPa·√m (29.1 ksi·√in), 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
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 118 W/m·K (68.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades
5059-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5059-O — 11 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-O 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-O has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5059-O is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 118 W/m·K (68.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 81% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5059-O conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), better than 98% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5059-O 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-O's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (80/100).
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-O
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-O — frequently asked
What is 5059-O used for?
5059-O 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-O?
5059-O has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 5059-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 86% 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-O 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-O?
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-O 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-O?
5059-O 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-O?
Yes — 5059-O 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.