Aluminum 5556-H14
Temper
AA 5556 · UNS A95556 · EN AW-5556, AlMg5Mn1Zr
H14 = 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.
Values for the H14 condition
Other 5556 tempers and conditions
5556 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 5556.
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 |
H14This page 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-H14?
5556-H14 is 5556 in the H14 temper — the as-supplied drawn temper for spooled 0.8–2.4 mm MIG wire, stiff enough for reliable feeding through long liners. 5556-H14 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 5556-H14 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). AW is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H14 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 108 W/m·K (62.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 28 % IACS, worse than 82% of aluminum grades
5556-H14 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5556-H14; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5556 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
5556-H14 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-H14 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
5556-H14 is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 108 W/m·K (62.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 24.2 µm/m·K (13.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5556-H14 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, worse than 82% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5556-H14 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-H14's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 65% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5556-H14
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.
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.
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 | — |
5556-H14 — frequently asked
What is 5556-H14 used for?
5556-H14 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-H14?
5556-H14 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 5556-H14 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 65% 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-H14 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-H14?
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-H14 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-H14?
5556-H14 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.