Aluminum 5156
AA 5156 · EN AW-5156, AW 5156
5156 is a non-heat-treatable Al-5 % Mg alloy with small Mn, Cr and Ti additions for grain refinement, registered by the Aluminum Association/EN and close in composition to 5356 filler wire.
5156 tempers and conditions
5156 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As-welded deposit | Use these numbers when designing joints made with 5156 filler on 5000/6000 series base metal. | 120 | 265 | 17 | 62 HB | 29 % IACS |
Annealed | Pick for maximum formability — deep drawing, severe bending, spinning — accepting the lowest strength. | 130 | 275 | 25 | 60 HB | 29 % IACS |
Slightly strain hardened | Use for extruded or lightly worked product that must stay near-annealed formability with slightly higher yield. | 145 | 280 | 20 | 68 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Standard condition for hot-rolled plate and extrusions where properties come from the hot-working operation itself. | 155 | 285 | 18 | 70 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | The usual sheet/strip temper: good strength with retained bendability and stabilized (SCC-resistant) structure. | 235 | 310 | 13 | 75 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Choose when higher yield strength is needed in sheet and moderate forming is still required. | 260 | 330 | 10 | 82 HB | 28 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, three-quarter hard | For flat parts and light-gauge strip needing high strength with only minimal forming. | 285 | 350 | 8 | 87 HB | 28 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Maximum strength temper for thin strip/wire; formability and bend radii are very limited. | 300 | 365 | 6 | 92 HB | 27 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Cold-drawn spooled welding wire condition, chosen for column strength and smooth feeding in MIG guns. | 330 | 390 | 5 | 95 HB | 27 % IACS |
What is 5156?
5156 is a non-heat-treatable Al-5 % Mg alloy with small Mn, Cr and Ti additions for grain refinement, registered by the Aluminum Association/EN and close in composition to 5356 filler wire. It is supplied mainly as welding wire, sheet and strip for joining 5000-series structures and for marine, tank and vehicle sheet metal, offering a high strength-to-density ratio, good seawater and alkaline corrosion resistance, excellent weldability and even anodized colour. With Mg above 3 %, sustained service over about 65 °C risks sensitization and stress-corrosion cracking; it gains strength only by cold work and machines gummy. 5356 is the nearest substitute. 5156 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F). 5156 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 5156 used for?
- Weld filler wire for 5000-series structures
- Marine hull and deck sheet metal
- Storage tank and vessel panels
- Vehicle body and trailer sheet parts
- Welded frames and brackets
- Anodized architectural sheet
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 40 MPa·√m (36.4 ksi·√in), better than 98% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 24%, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 76/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 78/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 116 W/m·K (67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 84% 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
5156 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5156 has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), lighter than 90% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical11
5156 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5156 is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 116 W/m·K (67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 84% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.9 µm/m·K (13.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5156 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (76/100), better than 90% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5156 takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
5156's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (78/100).
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. 5156 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5156
Is 5156 easy to machine?
Machines like other soft 5000 series: sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous lubrication to stop built-up edge; harder H3x tempers cut noticeably cleaner.
Can 5156 be welded?
Excellent GMAW/GTAW behaviour — this is essentially a 5000-series filler composition; use AC TIG or spray-transfer MIG, keep interpass temperature low and avoid prolonged >65 °C exposure to prevent β-phase sensitization.
Can 5156 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O/H111; in H32–H38 allow larger bend radii and beware Lüders banding/orange-peel on stretched surfaces; anneal at 340 °C to restore ductility.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 5156. Every 5156 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better42 / 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 | Excellent78 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better92 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
5156 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgprincipal strengthening element (solid solution) | 4.5 – 5.5 | 5 |
| Mn | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Cr | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Cukept low for corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Berestricted in filler-alloy practice | ≤ 8×10⁻⁴ | |
| Others (each)0.15 total | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5156?
Anodizes bright and uniformly (marine and decorative anodize); takes chemical conversion coatings and paint well; not suitable for flux or furnace brazing because of the high Mg content.
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 5156 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Aluminum Association
- AA5156
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-5156AW 5156
How much does 5156 cost?
5156 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.
5156 — frequently asked
What is 5156 used for?
5156 is typically used for weld filler wire for 5000-series structures, marine hull and deck sheet metal, storage tank and vessel panels, vehicle body and trailer sheet parts, welded frames and brackets and anodized architectural sheet. In short: 5000-series weld filler wire.
What is the yield strength of 5156?
5156 has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 5156 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 77% of aluminum grades). Machines like other soft 5000 series: sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous lubrication to stop built-up edge; harder H3x tempers cut noticeably cleaner.
Can 5156 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent GMAW/GTAW behaviour — this is essentially a 5000-series filler composition; use AC TIG or spray-transfer MIG, keep interpass temperature low and avoid prolonged >65 °C exposure to prevent β-phase sensitization.
What surface finishes work on 5156?
Anodizes bright and uniformly (marine and decorative anodize); takes chemical conversion coatings and paint well; not suitable for flux or furnace brazing because of the high Mg content.
Can 5156 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in O/H111; in H32–H38 allow larger bend radii and beware Lüders banding/orange-peel on stretched surfaces; anneal at 340 °C to restore ductility.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5156?
5156 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 5156 cost?
5156 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 5156?
Yes — 5156 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
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- ASTM B209 / B928 — Aluminum-alloy sheet and plate (incl. high-Mg marine alloys) — ASTM (2021)
- AWS A5.10 / ISO 18273 — Aluminium welding filler wires — AWS / ISO (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (aluminium alloys) — 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.