Aluminum SAlMg-2
ASTM AWS A5.10 ER5356
SAlMg-2 is an Al-Mg arc welding filler equivalent to AWS A5.10 ER5356, the general-purpose choice for 5000 series and structural aluminum welding.
Reference datasheet — SAlMg-2 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
SAlMg-2 tempers and conditions
SAlMg-2 is supplied in one standard condition, AW. AW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways SAlMg-2 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
ROD | Straightened TIG cut-length rod | Supply form |
WIRE | Drawn spooled MIG wire | Supply form |
What is SAlMg-2?
SAlMg-2 is an Al-Mg arc welding filler equivalent to AWS A5.10 ER5356, the general-purpose choice for 5000 series and structural aluminum welding. It is selected for higher joint strength and ductility than Al-Si wires and for its close colour match after anodizing; it is supplied as spooled wire and cut rod for GMAW and GTAW. Typical as-welded values are 290 MPa tensile, 125 MPa yield, 20% elongation, 70 HB and 29% IACS. Because of its magnesium content the service temperature is limited to 65 °C to avoid sensitization, and the deposit cannot be strengthened by post-weld heat treatment; ER4043 (SAlSi-1) is preferred where hot-crack resistance matters more. SAlMg-2 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 575°C (1,067 °F). SAlMg-2 has a yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 75% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is SAlMg-2 used for?
- 5052/5083 structural welding
- boat hull fabrication
- general aluminum MIG/TIG welding
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 20%, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 80% 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
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 125 MPa (18.1 ksi), worse than 75% of aluminum grades
SAlMg-2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for SAlMg-2-AW; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
SAlMg-2 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 575°C (1,067 °F).
Mechanical10
SAlMg-2 has a yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 75% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
SAlMg-2 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
SAlMg-2 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SAlMg-2 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability7
SAlMg-2's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability good (65/100).
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. SAlMg-2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with SAlMg-2
Is SAlMg-2 easy to machine?
Deposited metal is soft and gummy — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, high speed and flood coolant when dressing welds; expect built-up edge.
Can SAlMg-2 be welded?
Excellent GMAW/GTAW filler for 5052/5083/5086/5454 and most 6000-series structural work; use a U-groove drive roll, Teflon/graphite liner and short gun for feedability, and keep interpass temperature low to limit Mg loss.
Can SAlMg-2 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as drawn wire/rod; the deposit itself work-hardens rapidly and cannot be strengthened by post-weld heat treatment.
SAlMg-2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mgprimary strengthener | 4.5 – 5.5 | 5 |
| Mn | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Cr | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Tigrain refiner, reduces hot cracking | 0.06 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Si | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Befume-toxicity limit | ≤ 3×10⁻⁴ | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on SAlMg-2?
Weld beads clear-anodize close to 5000/6000 series base colour (much better than 4043); wire-brush with dedicated stainless brushes and degrease before anodizing or painting to avoid smut and staining.
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 SAlMg-2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- AWS A5.10 ER5356
- Other
- 5356
How much does SAlMg-2 cost?
SAlMg-2 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
SAlMg-2 — frequently asked
What is SAlMg-2 used for?
SAlMg-2 is typically used for 5052/5083 structural welding, boat hull fabrication and general aluminum MIG/TIG welding. In short: strongest common aluminum filler; best anodized colour match; 65 °C service limit.
What is the yield strength of SAlMg-2?
SAlMg-2 has a typical yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) — weaker than 75% of aluminum grades.
Is SAlMg-2 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades). Deposited metal is soft and gummy — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, high speed and flood coolant when dressing welds; expect built-up edge.
Can SAlMg-2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent GMAW/GTAW filler for 5052/5083/5086/5454 and most 6000-series structural work; use a U-groove drive roll, Teflon/graphite liner and short gun for feedability, and keep interpass temperature low to limit Mg loss.
What surface finishes work on SAlMg-2?
Weld beads clear-anodize close to 5000/6000 series base colour (much better than 4043); wire-brush with dedicated stainless brushes and degrease before anodizing or painting to avoid smut and staining.
Can SAlMg-2 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied only as drawn wire/rod; the deposit itself work-hardens rapidly and cannot be strengthened by post-weld heat treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of SAlMg-2?
SAlMg-2 is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does SAlMg-2 cost?
SAlMg-2 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), 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 — Bare Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Welding Electrodes and Rods — AWS (2021)
- AWS D1.2/D1.2M — Structural Welding Code, Aluminum — AWS (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- International Alloy Designations (Teal Sheets) — 5356 — The Aluminum Association (2015)
- ER5356 aluminium filler wire datasheets — Lincoln Electric / ESAB / (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.