Aluminum 5456
AA 5456 · UNS A95456 · EN AW-5456, AW 5456
5456 is a high-magnesium (≈5 % Mg) non-heat-treatable Al-Mg-Mn wrought alloy supplied mainly as marine plate and sheet in the exfoliation-resistant H116/H321 tempers.
5456 tempers and conditions
5456 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum formability — deep drawing, severe bending, spinning — then accept the lowest strength. | 160 | 310 | 24 | 70 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Hot-rolled thick plate temper for structural work where H116/H321 exfoliation testing is not required. | 165 | 310 | 18 | 73 HB | 29 % IACS |
Slightly strain hardened | Annealed-plus-light-working sheet/plate: a bit stiffer than O while still forming and welding easily. | 180 | 315 | 20 | 75 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, marine temper | Choose for marine plate where stabilization against age-softening/sensitization is specified; properties match H116. | 255 | 352 | 16 | 90 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Al-Mg5Mn work-hardened to a quarter-hard level and thermally stabilized, giving marine-grade strength with good weldability and seawater corrosion resistance. | 255 | 352 | 16 | 90 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened, exfoliation-resistant | Sheet-gauge counterpart of H116 with the same strength envelope and exfoliation qualification. | 255 | 350 | 14 | 90 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened, corrosion-resistant marine temper | The standard marine plate/sheet temper: highest 5000-series strength with mandatory ASTM G66/G67 exfoliation qualification. | 258 | 352 | 16 | 90 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized to 1/4-hard-plus level | Stabilized sheet temper for stiffer formed marine panels needing stress-corrosion resistance. | 270 | 365 | 10 | 95 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized to 3/4-hard level | Highest-strength stabilized sheet temper of 5456 — for flat or lightly formed panels where strength governs. | 320 | 400 | 8 | 105 HB | 29 % IACS |
What is 5456?
5456 is a high-magnesium (≈5 % Mg) non-heat-treatable Al-Mg-Mn wrought alloy supplied mainly as marine plate and sheet in the exfoliation-resistant H116/H321 tempers. It offers the highest strength of the common 5000-series marine grades together with excellent seawater corrosion resistance and very good arc weldability, so it is used for hulls, superstructures, pressure vessels and armour-grade plate. Its limits are a 65 °C continuous service ceiling (Mg > 3 % sensitizes to β-phase and becomes susceptible to stress-corrosion/exfoliation), low formability in the hard tempers, and no response to heat treatment. 5456 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 568°C (1,054 °F). 5456 has a yield strength of 258 MPa (37.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 352 MPa (51.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is 5456 used for?
- Marine hull and structural plate
- Deck houses and superstructures
- Pressure vessels
- Armour-grade plate
- Welded ship frames and bulkheads
- Storage tanks for marine service
- Barge and workboat decking
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 35 MPa·√m (31.9 ksi·√in), better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 76/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 16%, better than 84% 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
5456 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5456 has a density of 2.66 g/cm³ (0.0961 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of aluminum grades. It melts at 568°C (1,054 °F).
Mechanical13
5456 has a yield strength of 258 MPa (37.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 352 MPa (51.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
5456 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 23.9 µm/m·K (13.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5456 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 5456 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
5456's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. 5456 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5456
Is 5456 easy to machine?
Machines like other 5000 series: gummy chips, needs sharp polished-flute tools, high rake, high speed and flood coolant; hard tempers cut cleaner than O.
Can 5456 be welded?
Excellent for GMAW/GTAW and FSW with 5183 (preferred), 5356 or 5556 filler; never use 4000 series Si filler and keep interpass temperature low to avoid sensitization.
Can 5456 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O/H111 for tight radii; H116/H321 plate needs generous bend radii and warm forming, and stretcher-strain (Lüders) marks can appear on annealed sheet.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 5456. Every 5456 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 | Better45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better88 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
5456 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 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mn | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Mgprimary strengthening addition | 4.7 – 5.5 | 5.1 |
| Cr | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5456?
Takes clear and hard anodize well (slightly grey film), etch/conversion coats and marine paint systems readily; polishes to a satin rather than mirror finish.
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 5456 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A95456
- Aluminum Association
- AA5456
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-5456AW 5456AlMg5Mn1
How much does 5456 cost?
5456 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 80% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
5456 — frequently asked
What is 5456 used for?
5456 is typically used for marine hull and structural plate, deck houses and superstructures, pressure vessels, armour-grade plate, welded ship frames and bulkheads and storage tanks for marine service. In short: rugged marine structural grade.
What is the yield strength of 5456?
5456 has a typical yield strength of 258 MPa (37.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 352 MPa (51.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 5456 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades). Machines like other 5000 series: gummy chips, needs sharp polished-flute tools, high rake, high speed and flood coolant; hard tempers cut cleaner than O.
Can 5456 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent for GMAW/GTAW and FSW with 5183 (preferred), 5356 or 5556 filler; never use 4000 series Si filler and keep interpass temperature low to avoid sensitization.
What surface finishes work on 5456?
Takes clear and hard anodize well (slightly grey film), etch/conversion coats and marine paint systems readily; polishes to a satin rather than mirror finish.
Can 5456 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O/H111 for tight radii; H116/H321 plate needs generous bend radii and warm forming, and stretcher-strain (Lüders) marks can appear on annealed sheet.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5456?
5456 is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 5456 cost?
5456 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), 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 5456?
Yes — 5456 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
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B928 — High-Magnesium Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate for Marine Service — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B209 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 485-2 / EN 573-3 (EN AW-5456) — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (aluminium in marine service) — ASM International (2005)
- MMPDS-typical wrought aluminium property tables — Battelle/FAA (2021)
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.