Aluminum 5456 · temper
Aluminum 5456-H32
Properties of the H32 condition, compared with the other 5456 tempers.
Al-Mg5Mn work-hardened to a quarter-hard level and thermally stabilized, giving marine-grade strength with good weldability and seawater corrosion resistance.
What is 5456-H32?
5456-H32 is 5456 in the H32 temper — al-Mg5Mn work-hardened to a quarter-hard level and thermally stabilized, giving marine-grade strength with good weldability and seawater corrosion resistance. 5456-H32 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 352 MPa (51.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 5456-H32 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).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 35 MPa·√m (31.9 ksi·√in), better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 16%, better than 84% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% 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-H32 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5456-H32 — 37 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5456 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5456-H32 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-H32 has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 352 MPa (51.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
5456-H32 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-H32 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5456-H32 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-H32's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); 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 5456 tempers and conditions
5456 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5456 overview.
- H116The standard marine plate/sheet temper: highest 5xxx strength with mandatory ASTM G66/G67 exfoliation qualification.258 MPa yield · 90 HB
- H321Choose for marine plate where stabilization against age-softening/sensitization is specified; properties match H116.255 MPa yield · 90 HB
- H32Al-Mg5Mn work-hardened to a quarter-hard level and thermally stabilized, giving marine-grade strength with good weldability and seawater corrosion resistance.255 MPa yield · 90 HB
- OPick for maximum formability — deep drawing, severe bending, spinning — then accept the lowest strength.160 MPa yield · 70 HB
Working with 5456-H32
Is 5456 easy to machine?
Machines like other 5xxx: 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 4xxx 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.
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.
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 | — |
5456-H32 — frequently asked
What is 5456-H32 used for?
5456-H32 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-H32?
5456-H32 has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 352 MPa (51.1 ksi) — stronger than 67% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 5456-H32 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades). Machines like other 5xxx: gummy chips, needs sharp polished-flute tools, high rake, high speed and flood coolant; hard tempers cut cleaner than O.
Can 5456-H32 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent for GMAW/GTAW and FSW with 5183 (preferred), 5356 or 5556 filler; never use 4xxx Si filler and keep interpass temperature low to avoid sensitization.
What surface finishes work on 5456-H32?
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-H32 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-H32?
5456-H32 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 5456-H32?
Yes — 5456-H32 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
- 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.