Aluminum 5183
AA 5183 · UNS A95183 · ASTM AWS A5.10 ER5183 · EN AW-5183, AW 5183 · JIS A5183WY
5183 is a non-heat-treatable Al-Mg-Mn alloy (about 4.3–5.2 % Mg with Mn and Cr) supplied mainly as welding wire and rod to AWS A5.10 ER5183 / EN AW-5183, and also as O and H111 stock.
5183 tempers and conditions
5183 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum ductility, e.g. redrawn wire stock or formed inserts before welding. | 130 | 285 | 24 | 75 HB | 30 % IACS |
Slightly strain hardened | Choose when 5183 is bought as plate/sheet or straightened rod where a light work-hardened, weld-ready condition is wanted. | 150 | 300 | 18 | 82 HB | 29 % IACS |
As-welded deposit | Use these numbers when sizing joints made with 5183 filler on 5083/5456 base metal. | 165 | 315 | 22 | 78 HB | 29 % IACS |
What is 5183?
5183 is a non-heat-treatable Al-Mg-Mn alloy (about 4.3–5.2 % Mg with Mn and Cr) supplied mainly as welding wire and rod to AWS A5.10 ER5183 / EN AW-5183, and also as O and H111 stock. It is the standard filler for joining 5083, 5086 and 5456 in hulls, pressure vessels and cryogenic tanks, giving the highest as-welded strength of the common 5000-series fillers plus seawater corrosion resistance and low-temperature toughness. The high magnesium limits continuous service to about 65 °C; above that, β-phase grain-boundary precipitation sensitizes the alloy to stress-corrosion cracking and exfoliation. It is not used for brazing, and anodized colour match to the base metal is imperfect; 5356 is the lower-strength alternative filler. 5183 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F). 5183 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is 5183 used for?
- GMAW/GTAW filler wire for 5083
- Ship and boat hull welds
- Marine deck and superstructure structures
- Cryogenic storage tank welds
- Welded aluminium pressure vessels
- 5456 plate structural welds
- Rail and road tanker bodies
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 20%, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 75/100, better than 88% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 117 W/m·K (67.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades
5183 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5183 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 574°C (1,065 °F).
Mechanical11
5183 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
5183 is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 117 W/m·K (67.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5183 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 88% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5183 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
5183's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability very good (70/100).
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. 5183 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5183
Is 5183 easy to machine?
Gummy in soft tempers — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge; chip-breaking is poor.
Can 5183 be welded?
Purpose-built GMAW/GTAW filler for 5083/5086/5456 and other >3% Mg alloys; keep interpass temperature low, use AC TIG or spray-transfer MIG with Ar, clean oxide and avoid dilution with 6000 series (Mg2Si cracking).
Can 5183 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold formability in O/H111 with generous bend radii and no post-form heating above ~65 °C to avoid sensitization; hard-drawn wire should not be tightly re-bent.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 5183. Every 5183 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better50 / 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 | Excellent70 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better95 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
5183 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 | ≤ 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Mgprimary strengthener | 4.3 – 5.2 | 4.8 |
| Cr | 0.05 – 0.25 | 0.12 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Berestricted in current AWS A5.10 / EN ISO 18273 | ≤ 3×10⁻⁴ | |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5183?
Responds well to sulfuric clear anodize and to marine paints over chromate/chrome-free conversion coats; expect the 5183 weld bead to anodize slightly darker than 5083 base metal.
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 5183 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A95183
- ASTM
- AWS A5.10 ER5183
- Aluminum Association
- AA5183
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-5183AW 5183S Al 5183
- GB (China)
- SAlMg-3
- JIS
- A5183WY
How much does 5183 cost?
5183 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 80% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
5183 — frequently asked
What is 5183 used for?
5183 is typically used for GMAW/GTAW filler wire for 5083, ship and boat hull welds, marine deck and superstructure structures, cryogenic storage tank welds, welded aluminium pressure vessels and 5456 plate structural welds. In short: gold-standard filler for 5083.
What is the yield strength of 5183?
5183 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 5183 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades). Gummy in soft tempers — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge; chip-breaking is poor.
Can 5183 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Purpose-built GMAW/GTAW filler for 5083/5086/5456 and other >3% Mg alloys; keep interpass temperature low, use AC TIG or spray-transfer MIG with Ar, clean oxide and avoid dilution with 6000 series (Mg2Si cracking).
What surface finishes work on 5183?
Responds well to sulfuric clear anodize and to marine paints over chromate/chrome-free conversion coats; expect the 5183 weld bead to anodize slightly darker than 5083 base metal.
Can 5183 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold formability in O/H111 with generous bend radii and no post-form heating above ~65 °C to avoid sensitization; hard-drawn wire should not be tightly re-bent.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5183?
5183 is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 5183 cost?
5183 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 80% 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 5183?
Yes — 5183 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
- AWS A5.10/A5.10M — Bare Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Welding Electrodes and Rods — AWS (2021)
- International Alloy Designation and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN ISO 18273 — Welding consumables: wire electrodes, wires and rods for aluminium and aluminium alloys — ISO/CEN (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (aluminium alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- ER5183 aluminium welding wire datasheets — welding consumable producers (2023)
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.