O
Fully annealed. Maximum ductility for pressing dished heads, flanging and tight forming.
Tank and cryogenic plate
EN AW-5088 Aluminium Plate
EN AW-5088 (AlMg5Mn0.4) is a high-magnesium aluminium plate developed for welded road and rail tankers carrying dangerous goods, and for cryogenic transport vessels. It is stronger than 5083 in the soft O/H111 condition, which lets tank builders use thinner shells and carry more payload. Metline supplies 5088 plate and coil in O and H111 to EN 14286 and EN 485, worldwide.
- Alloy
- EN AW-5088 (AlMg5Mn0.4)
- Tempers
- O, H111
- Thickness
- about 3 – 12 mm
- Standards
- EN 14286 · EN 485 · EN 573-3
What is EN AW-5088?
5088 is a European tank alloy registered in the early 2000s. It combines about 5 % magnesium with a modest manganese content, a controlled zinc addition and up to 0.15 % zirconium. The aim is a plate that is soft enough to roll into tank shells and press into heads, yet stronger than 5083 or 5182 in that same soft condition.
Tank shells are designed against the strength of the material in the annealed or H111 state, because forming and welding remove most of any cold work. A higher O-temper strength therefore translates directly into thinner walls and lower tare weight. For a road tanker running at a fixed gross vehicle weight, every kilogram saved in the shell is a kilogram of extra payload on every trip.
Zirconium raises the recrystallisation temperature and refines the grain in the heat-affected zone, which helps welded joints keep their properties. Like other Al-Mg alloys, 5088 has no ductile-to-brittle transition, so it stays tough at the very low temperatures met in liquefied gas service.
EN AW-5088 chemical composition (wt %)
Main alloying limits are shown below as published for EN AW-5088 under EN 573-3. Published sources disagree on some impurity limits, so iron and copper are not listed here: check those values on your mill certificate against the edition of EN 573-3 named in your order.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.20 | Impurity |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.20 | 0.50 | Dispersoid strengthening |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 4.7 | 5.5 | Main strengthener |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.15 | |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.20 | 0.40 | Improves corrosion behaviour of high-Mg alloys |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.10 | Grain refiner |
| Zirconium (Zr) | — | 0.15 | Recrystallisation and weld-zone control |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Mechanical properties of 5088 plate
Tank design uses the minimums from EN 485-2 and EN 14286 for the ordered thickness. Typical values below show the usual margin over those minimums.
| Property (O / H111) | Typical | Producer minimum (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength Rm | about 310 MPa | about 280 MPa |
| 0.2 % proof strength Rp0.2 | about 150 MPa | about 135 MPa |
| Elongation | about 26 – 29 % | set by thickness band |
Minimums vary by thickness and standard edition; the mill certificate is the acceptance document. These are not design allowables.
Physical properties (typical)
- Density
- about 2.65 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 70 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 120 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity
- about 29 % IACS
- Melting range
- about 540 – 640 °C
Tempers: O and H111
H111
Annealed and then slightly strain hardened by levelling or stretching. Flatter plate with marginally higher proof strength; the usual temper for shell plate.
Why not H116 or H321?
5088 is designed around soft-temper strength for tanks. If you need a corrosion-tested marine temper, look at 5083 or 5059 instead.
Standards and documentation for 5088
| Standard | What it covers |
|---|---|
| EN 573-3 | Chemical composition of EN AW-5088 |
| EN 485-2 | Mechanical property limits for sheet and plate |
| EN 14286 | Weldable rolled aluminium products for tanks carrying dangerous goods (ADR / RID tanks) |
| EN 12392 | Special requirements for aluminium products for pressure equipment, including service temperature limits |
| EN 13094 / EN 14025 | Tank design codes for dangerous-goods tanks (low pressure and pressurised) |
| EN 10204 | Inspection documents: 3.1 mill certificate, or 3.2 with notified body or third-party witness |
For pressure equipment under the European Pressure Equipment Directive (2014/68/EU), the notified body decides how the material is appraised. Tell us your design code, notified body requirements and whether you need 3.2 certification so we can confirm what documents can accompany the plate.
5088 supply range and weights
Supply range
- Thickness
- Mainly 3 – 12 mm; 4, 5, 6 and 8 mm are common shell gauges
- Width
- Typically 1000 – 2200 mm
- Length
- Cut lengths for tank shells, up to long single-piece barrel plates on request
- Form
- Plate and coil
- Surface
- Mill finish, protective film one side
- Processing
- Cut to size, edge bevelling, pre-rolling on request
| Thickness (mm) | kg per m² | 1500 × 6000 mm (kg) | 2000 × 8000 mm (kg) | 2200 × 10000 mm (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7.95 | 71.5 | 127.2 | 174.9 |
| 4 | 10.60 | 95.4 | 169.6 | 233.2 |
| 5 | 13.25 | 119.2 | 212.0 | 291.5 |
| 6 | 15.90 | 143.1 | 254.4 | 349.8 |
| 7 | 18.55 | 166.9 | 296.8 | 408.1 |
| 8 | 21.20 | 190.8 | 339.2 | 466.4 |
| 10 | 26.50 | 238.5 | 424.0 | 583.0 |
| 12 | 31.80 | 286.2 | 508.8 | 699.6 |
Design and fabrication notes
Welding
MIG with ER5183 is typical for tank shells; follow a procedure qualified to the tank code. Keep heat input controlled to protect the heat-affected zone.
Forming heads
Press or spin heads in O temper; check springback, which is higher than for 5754 because of the higher strength.
Service temperature
EN 12392 limits Al-Mg alloys with more than about 3 % Mg in sustained service at elevated temperature (around 65 – 75 °C depending on the standard). Hot-product tanks such as bitumen use 5454 instead.
Cargo compatibility
Confirm compatibility of the plate with each product to be carried, including cleaning agents. 5088 is not intended for food-contact tanks.
Cryogenic service
Toughness and strength are retained at low temperature, making 5088 suitable for outer and inner structures of cryogenic transport vessels.
Inspection
Specify flatness and thickness tolerances that suit automatic welding lines; request ultrasonic testing if your code requires it.
Where EN AW-5088 is used
- Road tankers: shells, heads and baffles for petrol, diesel and liquid hydrocarbons under ADR
- Rail tank cars: lightweight barrels for fuel and chemical transport under RID
- Cryogenic containers: shells and cover plates for LIN, LOX, LAR and LNG transport vessels
- Pressure equipment: buffer tanks and vessels at ambient or low temperature
- Special vehicles: body-mounted tanks where weight saving increases payload
5088 compared with 5083 and 5182
| Property (O / H111) | EN AW-5088 | EN AW-5083 | EN AW-5182 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium | 4.7 – 5.5 % | 4.0 – 4.9 % | 4.0 – 5.0 % |
| Typical tensile / proof | ≈ 310 / 150 MPa | ≈ 290 / 145 MPa | ≈ 275 / 130 MPa |
| Specified minimum proof (EN 485-2) | higher than 5083 (see certificate) | 125 MPa | 110 MPa |
| Formability | Good | Good | Very good |
| Zirconium addition | Yes | No | No |
| Main use | Dangerous-goods and cryogenic tanks | Marine, pressure vessels, cryogenics | Tanks, can ends, automotive inner panels |
| Availability | Specialised | Very wide | Wide |
Choose 5088 when shell weight is the deciding factor and your design code allows it. 5083 is the most widely available and widely approved alternative. 5182 is the economical choice for thinner shells and heads where its slightly lower strength is acceptable.
How to order 5088 plate
- SpecifyAlloy and temper (EN AW-5088 H111), thickness, width and length, quantity, governing standards (EN 14286, EN 485-2), tank design code and the inspection document type (3.1 or 3.2).
- QuoteWe confirm alloy, temper, tolerances, certification, packing and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your destination.
- ProcessPlates are cut, protected and marked with cast and lot numbers so each can be traced to its certificate.
- DocumentEach delivery carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with the cast analysis and mechanical test results; third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
- ShipSheets and plates are interleaved or film-protected, packed in seaworthy wooden cases or on pallets, and shipped by sea or air on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
References and standards
- EN 14286 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: weldable rolled products for tanks for the storage and transportation of dangerous goods
- EN 485-1 to -4 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: sheet, strip and plate (technical conditions, mechanical properties, tolerances)
- EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
- EN 12392 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: wrought products and cast products, special requirements for products intended for the production of pressure equipment
- EN 10204 – Metallic products: types of inspection documents
EN AW-5088 aluminium plate: frequently asked questions
What is the advantage of 5088 over 5083 for tankers?
Higher strength in the soft O/H111 condition, which is the basis for tank shell design. That allows thinner shells, lower tare weight and more payload, while weldability and toughness remain good.
Can 5088 be used for food or drinking water tanks?
It is not intended for food contact. Food tanks normally use alloys and surface treatments specifically approved for that purpose.
What is the maximum service temperature for 5088?
Like other alloys with more than about 3 % magnesium, 5088 should not be used in sustained service above roughly 65 – 75 °C (see EN 12392), because of the risk of sensitisation. Use 5454 for hot products.
Which filler wire suits 5088?
ER5183 is the usual choice for MIG welding tank shells; confirm with your qualified welding procedure.
Is 5088 suitable for cryogenic service?
Yes. As an Al-Mg alloy it keeps its toughness at cryogenic temperatures and is used for liquefied gas transport vessels.
Is there an ASTM equivalent of EN AW-5088?
5088 is registered with the Aluminum Association (UNS A95088) but is mainly used and standardised in Europe. Most North American tank designs use 5083, 5086, 5454 or 5182 instead.
Building a tanker or cryogenic vessel?
Send the plate thickness, sizes, quantity, design code and certification needs. We will confirm supply and a delivered price.
