Aluminum 5556
AA 5556 · UNS A95556 · EN AW-5556, AlMg5Mn1Zr
5556 is a high-strength Al-Mg-Mn-Zr filler alloy (A95556, EN AW-5556, AlMg5Mn1Zr) supplied mainly as drawn welding wire in AW, H14, O and F conditions.
Reference datasheet — 5556 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the AW condition
5556 tempers and conditions
5556 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. AW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for straight cut-length TIG filler rod and redraw stock where softness and straightening ease matter more than stiffness. | 150 | 300 | 24 | 70 HB | 29.5 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Pick for design of GMAW/GTAW joints made with ER5556/R5556 — the condition in which this alloy is actually used. | 160 | 305 | 20 | 75 HB | 29 % IACS |
As fabricated | Mill intermediate condition of extruded rod before drawing; specified only when buying semi-finished wire stock. | 175 | 310 | 16 | 75 HB | 29 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | The as-supplied drawn temper for spooled 0.8–2.4 mm MIG wire, stiff enough for reliable feeding through long liners. | 275 | 345 | 7 | 88 HB | 28 % IACS |
What is 5556?
5556 is a high-strength Al-Mg-Mn-Zr filler alloy (A95556, EN AW-5556, AlMg5Mn1Zr) supplied mainly as drawn welding wire in AW, H14, O and F conditions. It is selected when a joint must be stronger than 5356 allows, typically on 5083, 5456 and armor plate, giving 160 MPa yield, 305 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and 75 HB. The high Mg content limits continuous service to 65 C, corrosion-resistance score is 75, conductivity 29 % IACS and machinability 45. Use 5183 where slightly lower joint strength is acceptable. 5556 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). 5556 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is 5556 used for?
- structural welding
- military vehicle fabrication
- high-strength marine welds
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% 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
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades
5556 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5556-AW; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5556 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).
Mechanical10
5556 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
5556 is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 110 W/m·K (63.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 24.2 µm/m·K (13.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5556 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 5556 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
5556's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability good (55/100).
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. 5556 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5556
Is 5556 easy to machine?
Machines like 5083/5456 — gummy and adherent; use sharp polished carbide, high rake, high speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge (rarely machined, mostly consumed as filler).
Can 5556 be welded?
Designed as GMAW/GTAW filler for 5083/5456/5456-type and armor plate; run with 100 % Ar (or Ar-He), keep interpass temperature low, and never use on parts serving above ~65 °C.
Can 5556 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied by hot extrusion plus multi-pass cold drawing with interpass anneals; drawn wire work-hardens fast and needs good surface cleanliness for arc stability.
5556 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 | ≤ 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Mg | 4.7 – 5.5 | 5.1 |
| Cr | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Tigrain refiner | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Zronly in the EN AW-5556A (AlMg5Mn1Zr) variant; not required by AA 5556 | 0.1 – 0.2 | 0.15 |
| Berestricted/omitted in current AWS A5.10 revisions (fume toxicity) | ≤ 3×10⁻⁴ | |
| Others (each)0.15 total | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5556?
Anodizes and paints well after alkaline etch/desmut, but high-Mg weld metal anodizes darker than 6000-series base, so color matching is poor; do not attempt conventional brazing or dip soldering.
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).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 5556 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A95556
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-5556AlMg5Mn1Zr
How much does 5556 cost?
5556 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
5556 — frequently asked
What is 5556 used for?
5556 is typically used for structural welding, military vehicle fabrication and high-strength marine welds. In short: strongest common 5000-series filler; stronger welds than 5356; ambient-service joints only.
What is the yield strength of 5556?
5556 has a typical yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 5556 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines like 5083/5456 — gummy and adherent; use sharp polished carbide, high rake, high speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge (rarely machined, mostly consumed as filler).
Can 5556 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Designed as GMAW/GTAW filler for 5083/5456/5456-type and armor plate; run with 100 % Ar (or Ar-He), keep interpass temperature low, and never use on parts serving above ~65 °C.
What surface finishes work on 5556?
Anodizes and paints well after alkaline etch/desmut, but high-Mg weld metal anodizes darker than 6000-series base, so color matching is poor; do not attempt conventional brazing or dip soldering.
Can 5556 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied by hot extrusion plus multi-pass cold drawing with interpass anneals; drawn wire work-hardens fast and needs good surface cleanliness for arc stability.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5556?
5556 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.
What is the difference between 5556-AW and 5556-H14?
AW is the default condition — pick for design of GMAW/GTAW joints made with ER5556/R5556 — the condition in which this alloy is actually used. H14: the as-supplied drawn temper for spooled 0.8–2.4 mm MIG wire, stiff enough for reliable feeding through long liners. Yield strength is 160 MPa in AW versus 275 MPa in H14.
How much does 5556 cost?
5556 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
Sources
- AWS A5.10/A5.10M — Specification for 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 and rods for fusion welding of aluminium and aluminium alloys — CEN/ISO (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B / Vol. 6 — Corrosion and Welding, Brazing & Soldering — ASM International (2005)
- AWS D1.2/D1.2M — Structural Welding Code, Aluminum — AWS (2014)
- ER5556 / R5556 aluminum filler metal datasheets — Lincoln Electric / ESAB / Hobart (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.