Aluminum 5086 · temper
Aluminum 5086-H38
Properties of the H38 condition, compared with the other 5086 tempers.
Maximum strength/stiffness-critical thin sheet; very limited bending and highest sensitivity to sensitization.
What is 5086-H38?
5086-H38 is 5086 in the H38 temper — maximum strength/stiffness-critical thin sheet; very limited bending and highest sensitivity to sensitization. 5086-H38 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 5086-H38 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).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 83/100, better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
5086-H38 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5086-H38 — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5086 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5086-H38 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-H38 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
5086-H38 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-H38 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-H38 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-H38's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 58% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (83/100); formability poor (28/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5086 tempers and conditions
5086 is also supplied in 17 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5086 overview.
- H38Maximum strength/stiffness-critical thin sheet; very limited bending and highest sensitivity to sensitization.330 MPa yield · 90 HB
- H28Full-hard back-annealed 5086 offering near-maximum strain-hardened strength with a slightly more stable structure than H18.315 MPa yield · 95 HB
- H18Fully cold-worked (~75 % reduction) 5086 giving the highest strain-hardened strength with minimal ductility.310 MPa yield · 95 HB
- H26Three-quarter-hard back-annealed 5086 with strength near H36 and slightly improved forming behaviour over H16.285 MPa yield · 88 HB
- H16Three-quarter-hard cold-worked 5086 sheet/strip; high strength with limited bendability and no stabilizing treatment.275 MPa yield · 87 HB
- H36For thin sheet needing high strength with minimal forming, e.g. skins and covers.275 MPa yield · 83 HB
- H24Half-hard back-annealed 5086 sheet with strength comparable to H34 and better bendability than straight-hardened H14.255 MPa yield · 82 HB
- H34Choose when higher yield strength is needed for lightly formed panels, treadplate and stiffeners.255 MPa yield · 78 HB
- H14Half-hard cold-rolled 5086; strength close to H34 but supplied without the stabilizing treatment normally applied to high-Mg alloys.245 MPa yield · 80 HB
- H116Default marine plate temper: H32-level strength plus ASTM G66/G67 qualified exfoliation resistance for hulls and superstructures.207 MPa yield · 75 HB
- H321Alternative to H116 for thicker marine/pressure plate where a stabilizing thermal treatment is specified by class rules.207 MPa yield · 75 HB
- H32Most common sheet temper: good balance of strength, bending and weldability for tanks, trailers and general marine sheet.205 MPa yield · 70 HB
- H22Cold worked beyond quarter-hard then back-annealed to quarter-hard; strength and ductility essentially match 5086-H32 sheet.205 MPa yield · 73 HB
- H12Lightly cold-worked 5086 without stabilizing; rarely stocked because the high-Mg alloy age-softens, so H22/H32 are normally supplied instead.195 MPa yield · 71 HB
- H111European mill standard for sheet/extrusions that need near-O formability with slightly higher strength than O.145 MPa yield · 63 HB
- H112Choose for hot-rolled thick plate and extruded shapes where H32/H116 rolling reductions are impractical.140 MPa yield · 63 HB
- FAs-fabricated 5086 with no mechanical property limits; properties depend on the forming route and typically fall near the annealed level.125 MPa yield · 66 HB
- OPick for maximum formability — deep drawing, tight bends, spinning — then accept the low yield strength.115 MPa yield · 58 HB
Working with 5086-H38
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.
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.
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 | — |
5086-H38 — frequently asked
What is 5086-H38 used for?
5086-H38 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-H38?
5086-H38 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 18 listed tempers.
Is 5086-H38 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 58% 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-H38 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (83/100). 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-H38?
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-H38 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-H38?
5086-H38 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5086-H38?
Yes — 5086-H38 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 5xxx 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.