Aluminum 5156 · temper
Aluminum 5156-H38
Properties of the H38 condition, compared with the other 5156 tempers.
Maximum strength temper for thin strip/wire; formability and bend radii are very limited.
What is 5156-H38?
5156-H38 is 5156 in the H38 temper — maximum strength temper for thin strip/wire; formability and bend radii are very limited. 5156-H38 has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) — stronger than 76% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi). 5156-H38 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 — 40 MPa·√m (36.4 ksi·√in), better than 98% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 76/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 300 MPa (43.5 ksi), better than 76% 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
5156-H38 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5156-H38 — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5156 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5156-H38 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-H38 has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) — stronger than 76% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
5156-H38 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-H38 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-H38 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-H38's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 58% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5156 tempers and conditions
5156 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5156 overview.
- H38Maximum strength temper for thin strip/wire; formability and bend radii are very limited.300 MPa yield · 92 HB
- H34Choose when higher yield strength is needed in sheet and moderate forming is still required.260 MPa yield · 82 HB
- H32The usual sheet/strip temper: good strength with retained bendability and stabilized (SCC-resistant) structure.235 MPa yield · 75 HB
- OPick for maximum formability — deep drawing, severe bending, spinning — accepting the lowest strength.130 MPa yield · 60 HB
Working with 5156-H38
Is 5156 easy to machine?
Machines like other soft 5xxx: 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 5xxx 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-H38 — frequently asked
What is 5156-H38 used for?
5156-H38 is typically used for weld filler wire for 5xxx 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: 5xxx weld filler wire.
What is the yield strength of 5156-H38?
5156-H38 has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) — stronger than 76% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 5156-H38 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 58% of aluminum grades). Machines like other soft 5xxx: sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous lubrication to stop built-up edge; harder H3x tempers cut noticeably cleaner.
Can 5156-H38 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent GMAW/GTAW behaviour — this is essentially a 5xxx 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-H38?
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-H38 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-H38?
5156-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 5156-H38?
Yes — 5156-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
- 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.