Aluminum 5086
AA 5086 · UNS A95086 · EN AW-5086, 3.3545
5086 is a non-heat-treatable Al-Mg alloy (about 4 % Mg) with Mn and Cr additions, strengthened by cold work and stabilising tempers, with excellent corrosion resistance in seawater and industrial atmospheres and only a small strength loss across welded joints.
5086 tempers and conditions
5086 is supplied in 18 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 18 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum formability — deep drawing, tight bends, spinning — then accept the low yield strength. | 115 | 260 | 22 | 58 HB | 31 % IACS |
As fabricated | As-fabricated 5086 with no mechanical property limits; properties depend on the forming route and typically fall near the annealed level. | 125 | 265 | 20 | 66 HB | 31 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Choose for hot-rolled thick plate and extruded shapes where H32/H116 rolling reductions are impractical. | 140 | 270 | 14 | 63 HB | 31 % IACS |
Slightly strain hardened | European mill standard for sheet/extrusions that need near-O formability with slightly higher strength than O. | 145 | 270 | 18 | 63 HB | 31 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Lightly cold-worked 5086 without stabilizing; rarely stocked because the high-Mg alloy age-softens, so H22/H32 are normally supplied instead. | 195 | 280 | 11 | 71 HB | 30.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Most common sheet temper: good balance of strength, bending and weldability for tanks, trailers and general marine sheet. | 205 | 290 | 12 | 70 HB | 31 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Cold worked beyond quarter-hard then back-annealed to quarter-hard; strength and ductility essentially match 5086-H32 sheet. | 205 | 290 | 12 | 73 HB | 30.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened, corrosion-resistant marine temper | Default marine plate temper: H32-level strength plus ASTM G66/G67 qualified exfoliation resistance for hulls and superstructures. | 207 | 290 | 12 | 75 HB | 31 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, marine temper | Alternative to H116 for thicker marine/pressure plate where a stabilizing thermal treatment is specified by class rules. | 207 | 290 | 12 | 75 HB | 31 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Half-hard cold-rolled 5086; strength close to H34 but supplied without the stabilizing treatment normally applied to high-Mg alloys. | 245 | 310 | 9 | 80 HB | 30 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard back-annealed 5086 sheet with strength comparable to H34 and better bendability than straight-hardened H14. | 255 | 325 | 10 | 82 HB | 30 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Choose when higher yield strength is needed for lightly formed panels, treadplate and stiffeners. | 255 | 325 | 10 | 78 HB | 31 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Three-quarter-hard cold-worked 5086 sheet/strip; high strength with limited bendability and no stabilizing treatment. | 275 | 335 | 7 | 87 HB | 30 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, three-quarter hard | For thin sheet needing high strength with minimal forming, e.g. skins and covers. | 275 | 345 | 8 | 83 HB | 31 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Three-quarter-hard back-annealed 5086 with strength near H36 and slightly improved forming behaviour over H16. | 285 | 345 | 8 | 88 HB | 30 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Fully cold-worked (~75 % reduction) 5086 giving the highest strain-hardened strength with minimal ductility. | 310 | 365 | 5 | 95 HB | 30 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Full-hard back-annealed 5086 offering near-maximum strain-hardened strength with a slightly more stable structure than H18. | 315 | 370 | 6 | 95 HB | 30 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Maximum strength/stiffness-critical thin sheet; very limited bending and highest sensitivity to sensitization. | 330 | 380 | 6 | 90 HB | 31 % IACS |
What is 5086?
5086 is a non-heat-treatable Al-Mg alloy (about 4 % Mg) with Mn and Cr additions, strengthened by cold work and stabilising tempers, with excellent corrosion resistance in seawater and industrial atmospheres and only a small strength loss across welded joints. It is used mainly as plate and sheet for hull plating, decks, tank trailers, cryogenic vessels and pressure shells. Machinability is only fair, and continuous service must stay below about 65 °C to avoid grain-boundary β-phase precipitation that causes exfoliation and stress-corrosion cracking, so plate is normally ordered in the exfoliation-resistant H116/H321 tempers. 5086 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F). 5086 has a yield strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 55% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is 5086 used for?
- Boat hulls and hull plating
- Deck plating and superstructure panels
- Tank trailers and road tankers
- Cryogenic vessels
- Pressure shells
- Missile components
- Welded marine weldments and frames
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 60/100, better than 77% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
5086 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5086 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 585°C (1,085 °F).
Mechanical10
5086 has a yield strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 55% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
5086 is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 125 W/m·K (72.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5086 conducts electricity at 31 % IACS, worse than 68% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 99% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5086 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
5086's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability good (60/100).
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. 5086 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5086
Is 5086 easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp polished carbide, high rake, high SFM and flood emulsion or MQL; harder tempers (H34/H38) cut cleaner than O.
Can 5086 be welded?
Excellent with GMAW/GTAW using ER5183 or ER5356 filler; no preheat needed, keep interpass below ~120 °C and avoid long exposure >65 °C to prevent sensitization.
Can 5086 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O/H111 for tight radii; H32/H116 tolerate moderate brake bending (≈2–3 t radius across grain); anneal at 345 °C if severe re-forming is required.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 5086. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better45 / 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 | Better60 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better88 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
| Minimum bend radius | 0.5× thickness |
| Spring-back | Low |
| Welding processes | MIG, TIG, SPOT, LASER |
5086 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 | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.7 | 0.45 |
| Mgprincipal strengthening/corrosion element | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Cr | 0.05 – 0.25 | 0.12 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Others (each)others total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Alremainder, ≈94.5% | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5086?
Takes clear/protective anodize and marine paint systems well; high Mg can streak on bright decorative anodize — abrade or chemical-etch first, and avoid direct contact with steel/copper without isolation.
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 5086 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A95086
- Aluminum Association
- AA5086
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-50863.3545AlMg4
How much does 5086 cost?
5086 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 81% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
5086 — frequently asked
What is 5086 used for?
5086 is typically used for boat hulls and hull plating, deck plating and superstructure panels, tank trailers and road tankers, cryogenic vessels, pressure shells and missile components. In short: marine standard; highly weldable.
What is the yield strength of 5086?
5086 has a typical yield strength of 207 MPa (30 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — stronger than 55% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 18 listed tempers.
Is 5086 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp polished carbide, high rake, high SFM and flood emulsion or MQL; harder tempers (H34/H38) cut cleaner than O.
Can 5086 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent with GMAW/GTAW using ER5183 or ER5356 filler; no preheat needed, keep interpass below ~120 °C and avoid long exposure >65 °C to prevent sensitization.
What surface finishes work on 5086?
Takes clear/protective anodize and marine paint systems well; high Mg can streak on bright decorative anodize — abrade or chemical-etch first, and avoid direct contact with steel/copper without isolation.
Can 5086 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O/H111 for tight radii; H32/H116 tolerate moderate brake bending (≈2–3 t radius across grain); anneal at 345 °C if severe re-forming is required.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5086?
5086 is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 5086 cost?
5086 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 81% 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 5086?
Yes — 5086 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 B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM B928/B928M — High-Magnesium Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate for Marine Service — ASTM International (2019)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 485-2 / EN 573-3 (EN AW-5086, AlMg4) — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS-17 (typical mechanical/physical data for 5000-series alloys) — Battelle (2022)
- Marine plate alloy datasheets (5083/5086 H116/H321) — Constellium / Alcoa (2022)
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.