Aluminum 5156-H111
Temper
AA 5156 · EN AW-5156, AW 5156
H111 = slightly strain hardened
Use for extruded or lightly worked product that must stay near-annealed formability with slightly higher yield.
Values for the H111 condition
Other 5156 tempers and conditions
5156 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 5156.
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 |
H111This page 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-H111?
5156-H111 is 5156 in the H111 temper — use for extruded or lightly worked product that must stay near-annealed formability with slightly higher yield. 5156-H111 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi). 5156-H111 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).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 42 MPa·√m (38.2 ksi·√in), better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 77/100, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 82/100, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 20%, better than 89% 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 — 44/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
5156-H111 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5156-H111; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5156 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5156-H111 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-H111 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5156-H111 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-H111 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (77/100), better than 91% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5156-H111 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-H111's machinability is fair (44/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (82/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5156-H111
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.
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.
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 | — |
5156-H111 — frequently asked
What is 5156-H111 used for?
5156-H111 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-H111?
5156-H111 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 5156-H111 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (44/100, worse than 76% 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-H111 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-H111?
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-H111 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-H111?
5156-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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5156-H111?
Yes — 5156-H111 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.