Aluminum 5383 · temper
Aluminum 5383-H321
Properties of the H321 condition, compared with the other 5383 tempers.
Alternative marine temper to H116 with a thermal stabilization step; specified where class rules or welding practice call for H321.
What is 5383-H321?
5383-H321 is 5383 in the H321 temper — alternative marine temper to H116 with a thermal stabilization step; specified where class rules or welding practice call for H321. 5383-H321 has a yield strength of 222 MPa (32.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 5383-H321 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).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 13%, better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% 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
5383-H321 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5383-H321 — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5383 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5383-H321 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).
Mechanical12
5383-H321 has a yield strength of 222 MPa (32.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
5383-H321 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 24.2 µm/m·K (13.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5383-H321 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 99% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5383-H321 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
5383-H321's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5383 tempers and conditions
5383 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5383 overview.
- H24Half-hard, stabilized 5383 sheet — higher strength than H22 with reduced ductility, used for marine and transport panels.285 MPa yield · 92 HB
- H22Quarter-hard, stabilized 5383 marine sheet — moderate strength with good forming ability and full seawater corrosion resistance.235 MPa yield · 82 HB
- H321Alternative marine temper to H116 with a thermal stabilization step; specified where class rules or welding practice call for H321.222 MPa yield · 95 HB
- H116Default marine plate/sheet temper: highest guaranteed strength with ASTM G66/G67 exfoliation and IGC acceptance for hull and superstructure.220 MPa yield · 95 HB
- OPick for maximum formability in deep-drawn or heavily bent marine parts; lowest strength.150 MPa yield · 72 HB
Working with 5383-H321
Is 5383 easy to machine?
Gummy, long stringy chips — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous flood or MQL lubricant; expect built-up edge if speeds are low.
Can 5383 be welded?
Excellent for MIG/TIG (ER5183 preferred, ER5356 acceptable) and FSW; HAZ softens to near-O strength, so design joints to annealed-temper allowables and keep interpass temperature low.
Can 5383 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold formability in O/H111; H116/H321 plate needs generous bend radii (≈2–3 t) and transverse bending is preferred over longitudinal.
What surface finishes work on 5383?
Takes protective clear/hard anodizing and marine epoxy primers well; decorative bright anodize is only fair, and chromate-free conversion coatings are standard for painted hull structures.
5383 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 | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.25 | 0.15 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Mg | 4 – 5.2 | 4.7 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Zrgrain-structure control, key difference vs 5083 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
5383-H321 — frequently asked
What is 5383-H321 used for?
5383-H321 is typically used for fast ferry hulls, high-speed yacht hulls, ship superstructure panels, LNG and cryogenic structural plate, offshore platform decks and modules and patrol and workboat hulls. In short: improved corrosion 5083.
What is the yield strength of 5383-H321?
5383-H321 has a typical yield strength of 222 MPa (32.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 5383-H321 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Gummy, long stringy chips — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous flood or MQL lubricant; expect built-up edge if speeds are low.
Can 5383-H321 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent for MIG/TIG (ER5183 preferred, ER5356 acceptable) and FSW; HAZ softens to near-O strength, so design joints to annealed-temper allowables and keep interpass temperature low.
What surface finishes work on 5383-H321?
Takes protective clear/hard anodizing and marine epoxy primers well; decorative bright anodize is only fair, and chromate-free conversion coatings are standard for painted hull structures.
Can 5383-H321 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold formability in O/H111; H116/H321 plate needs generous bend radii (≈2–3 t) and transverse bending is preferred over longitudinal.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5383-H321?
5383-H321 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 5383-H321?
Yes — 5383-H321 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 485-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Sheet, strip and plate — Mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASTM B928/B928M Standard Specification for High Magnesium Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate for Marine Service — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Marine plate alloy 5383 H116/H321 data sheet — Aleris/Corus Aluminium Rolled Products (2010)
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.