5A06-O
Annealed. The standard condition for sheet up to about 4.5 mm. Best ductility for rolling cylinders, flanging and press forming, with the full 315 MPa tensile minimum.
High-magnesium weldable plate
5A06 Aluminium Plate & Sheet
5A06 is the high-magnesium member of the Chinese 5A-series, with 5.8 – 6.8 % magnesium, and is the direct counterpart of the Russian alloy AMg6. It is the strongest of the conventional non-heat-treatable Al-Mg plate grades, welds well and resists seawater, which is why it is used for ship hulls, pressure vessels, tanks and welded structures. Metline supplies 5A06 sheet and plate in O and H112 tempers, cut to size and certified, to buyers worldwide.
- Alloy
- 5A06 (Al-5.8-6.8Mg)
- Tempers
- O, H112, H32 / H34
- Thickness
- 0.5 – 200 mm
- Min. tensile (O)
- 315 MPa
What is 5A06 aluminium plate?
5A06 is a non-heat-treatable aluminium-magnesium alloy. Its strength comes from a high level of magnesium held in solid solution, plus manganese for grain control and small titanium and beryllium additions. In the annealed condition it has a guaranteed tensile strength of 315 MPa, higher than any common ASTM 5xxx plate grade in the same temper.
The alloy descends from the Soviet AMg6, developed for welded aerospace tanks and naval structures where a plate had to be strong, weldable and resistant to seawater all at once. It was adopted in China as LF6 and is now registered in GB/T 3190 as 5A06. Plate and sheet are produced to GB/T 3880 and, for CIS projects, to GOST 21631 and GOST 17232.
The beryllium addition (a few parts per million up to 0.005 %) is deliberate. During casting and welding, high-magnesium aluminium oxidises quickly; beryllium forms a thin protective film that reduces magnesium loss and oxide inclusions, which helps both plate quality and weld soundness. Titanium refines the cast grain and supports crack-free welding.
For engineers, the practical result is a plate that can be welded into large structures without the heat-treatment problems of 6xxx or 7xxx alloys. Welds in annealed 5A06 keep close to the full base-metal strength, because there is no precipitation hardening to lose in the heat-affected zone. That makes 5A06 a strong candidate for welded hulls, tanks and vessels where the design is governed by weld strength rather than by base-metal strength.
5A06 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits follow GB/T 3190. Russian AMg6 (GOST 4784) has essentially the same ranges. The mill certificate supplied with every Metline lot reports the measured analysis.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role in the alloy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium (Mg) | 5.8 | 6.8 | Main strengthening element (solid solution) |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.50 | 0.80 | Additional strength, grain and recrystallisation control |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.02 | 0.10 | Grain refiner for casting and welding |
| Beryllium (Be) | 0.0001 | 0.005 | Protects melt and weld pool against magnesium oxidation |
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.40 | Impurity |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.40 | Impurity; limited for toughness |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 | Kept low for corrosion resistance |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.20 | Impurity |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.10 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | About 91 – 93 % |
Because of the beryllium addition, dust and fume from grinding or welding should be controlled with normal extraction, as for any welding fume. Solid plate presents no handling hazard.
Mechanical properties of 5A06 sheet and plate
The values below are the specified minimums commonly quoted for GB/T 3880 sheet and plate. H112 plate is supplied as hot-rolled with tested properties, and its guaranteed values fall slightly as thickness increases. Typical results are usually 10 – 30 MPa above these minimums.
| Temper | Thickness | Tensile strength (min) | Yield strength 0.2 % (min) | Elongation (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O (annealed) | 0.5 – 4.5 mm | 315 MPa | 155 MPa | 16 % |
| H112 | 4.5 – 10 mm | 315 MPa | 155 MPa | 16 % |
| H112 | 10 – 25 mm | 305 MPa | 145 MPa | 12 % |
| H112 | Over 25 mm | about 295 MPa | about 135 MPa | by agreement |
Exact thickness bands follow the edition of GB/T 3880.2 named on your order. For GOST orders, annealed AMg6 sheet carries the same 315 / 155 MPa minimums. The certificate for each lot states the tested values.
Physical properties (approximate)
- Density
- 2.64 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 70 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 117 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity
- about 26 % IACS
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- about 24 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Typical hardness, O temper
- roughly 70 – 85 HB
5A06 tempers explained
5A06-H112
As hot-rolled with tested properties. The usual temper for plate from about 4.5 to 200 mm. Used flat in welded and machined structures.
5A06-H32 / H34
Strain-hardened and stabilised sheet with higher yield strength. Made to order; confirm properties and bend radii before use, as formability drops.
5A06-H22 / H24 / H14 – H28
Other strain-hardened tempers listed in some specifications. Rarely needed for structural work; we can quote them against a drawing.
Forged blocks
Thick blocks from about 200 to 500 mm can be supplied as forgings rather than rolled plate, for machined parts that need a thick solid section.
Choosing a temper
For welded fabrication, O or H112 is preferred because welding anneals the heat-affected zone anyway; paying for cold-worked strength is only worthwhile in unwelded sheet.
5A06 standards and international equivalents
5A06 is not registered with the Aluminum Association and has no exact ASTM or EN equivalent. Its true twin is the Russian AMg6. Where a Western alloy must be used instead, the choice depends on whether strength or approval status matters more.
| System | Designation | Relationship to 5A06 |
|---|---|---|
| China (GB) | 5A06 (formerly LF6) | Sheet and plate to GB/T 3880; chemistry to GB/T 3190 |
| Russia / CIS (GOST) | AMg6 (АМг6), 1560 | Same alloy; sheet to GOST 21631, plate to GOST 17232 |
| Aluminum Association | Nearest: 5456 | Mg 4.7 – 5.5 %; slightly lower strength, ASTM B209 plate available |
| Aluminum Association | Nearest modern: 5059 | Mg 5.0 – 6.0 % with Zn and Zr; higher strength, used for fast ferries |
| European (EN) | Nearest: EN AW-5083 / EN AW-5059 | 5083 is weaker but universally approved for shipbuilding |
Some trade listings show "UNS A95A06" or "AA5A06" for this alloy. These are not registered designations; if a customer document uses them, we confirm with the buyer that GB 5A06 (or GOST AMg6) is what is intended before quoting.
5A06 sizes we supply
Supply range
- Sheet
- 0.5 – 6 mm thick, usually O temper
- Plate
- 6 – 200 mm thick, usually H112
- Forged block
- About 200 – 500 mm, on request
- Width
- 900 – 2600 mm; 1250, 1500 and 2000 mm are common
- Length
- Up to about 6 m; 2500, 3000 and 4000 mm common; cut-to-size on request
- Surface
- Mill finish; PE film (black/white, blue or clear) on request; brushed or sand-blasted finishes to order
Common stock combinations are 1250 × 2500 mm and 1500 × 3000 mm for sheet and thinner plate, and 1500 × 3000 or 2000 × 4000 mm for thick plate.
5A06 weighs 2.64 kg per square metre per millimetre of thickness. Reference weights for common sizes:
| Thickness (mm) | kg per m² | 1250 × 2500 mm (kg) | 1500 × 3000 mm (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.64 | 8.2 | 11.9 |
| 1.5 | 3.96 | 12.4 | 17.8 |
| 2 | 5.28 | 16.5 | 23.8 |
| 3 | 7.92 | 24.8 | 35.6 |
| 4 | 10.56 | 33.0 | 47.5 |
| 5 | 13.20 | 41.2 | 59.4 |
| 6 | 15.84 | 49.5 | 71.3 |
| 8 | 21.12 | 66.0 | 95.0 |
| 10 | 26.40 | 82.5 | 118.8 |
| 12 | 31.68 | 99.0 | 142.6 |
| 15 | 39.60 | 123.8 | 178.2 |
| 20 | 52.80 | 165.0 | 237.6 |
| 25 | 66.00 | 206.2 | 297.0 |
| 30 | 79.20 | 247.5 | 356.4 |
| 40 | 105.60 | 330.0 | 475.2 |
| 50 | 132.00 | 412.5 | 594.0 |
| 60 | 158.40 | 495.0 | 712.8 |
| 80 | 211.20 | 660.0 | 950.4 |
| 100 | 264.00 | 825.0 | 1188.0 |
| 120 | 316.80 | 990.0 | 1425.6 |
| 150 | 396.00 | 1237.5 | 1782.0 |
Tolerances, surface quality and inspection
Unless your order states otherwise, 5A06 sheet and plate are supplied to the dimensional tolerances of GB/T 3880.3. Tighter limits can be agreed, for example by saw-cutting blanks from oversize plate or specifying precision-cut edges.
Quality points to specify
- Dimensions
- Thickness, width and length tolerances to GB/T 3880.3 or to your drawing
- Flatness
- Standard flatness to the order standard; tighter flatness for machined parts by agreement
- Surface
- Limits on scratches, roll marks, oil stains, waviness and edge burrs agreed on the order
- Ultrasonic testing
- Available for thick plate used in pressure parts or machined components
- Corrosion testing
- Intergranular or exfoliation testing can be requested for marine plate
- Certification
- Mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with chemistry and mechanical results
Welding, forming, machining and service limits
Welding
TIG and MIG weld readily. Use a high-magnesium filler, such as 5183, 5556 or the GB/GOST AMg6-type wire, so the weld metal matches the parent strength. Clean oxide immediately before welding and keep shielding gas coverage good; high-Mg alloys oxidise quickly.
Weld strength
Because 5A06 is not heat-treated, the heat-affected zone of O or H112 plate stays close to parent strength. Cold-worked H32/H34 sheet loses its extra strength locally, so design welded structures to O-temper values.
Forming
O-temper sheet bends and rolls well, though springback is higher than with 5052 because of the higher yield strength. Use generous radii for H112 plate and bend across the rolling direction where possible.
Machining
Machinability is fair. The alloy is harder than 5052 and gives better chips, but tools should still be sharp with high positive rake. Stress-free H112 plate holds its shape reasonably during machining.
Corrosion
Very good in seawater and marine air. Like all alloys above about 3 % Mg, prolonged exposure above roughly 65 °C can sensitise grain boundaries to intergranular and stress corrosion, so 5A06 should not be used for hot service.
Low temperature
Toughness and strength are maintained at sub-zero and cryogenic temperatures, which suits storage tanks and cold-region structures.
Where 5A06 aluminium plate is used
- Shipbuilding: hull plating, decks, bulkheads and superstructures of patrol boats, ferries and work boats built to GB or GOST design documents
- Pressure vessels and tanks: welded storage tanks, transport tanks and containers for corrosive or cold media
- Transport: tanker trailers, rail tank cars and vehicle bodies where a strong welded structure saves weight
- Aerospace and rocketry: welded tanks and structural parts specified in AMg6 or 5A06
- Defence: welded structural parts and lightweight protective structures, supplied to the governing defence specification
- Industrial structures: machine frames, brackets, housings and welded frames in corrosive environments
- Thick forged blocks: machined parts for refrigeration equipment, drilling equipment and heavy transport assemblies
A typical example: a coastal patrol boat designed to Russian or Chinese documents uses 5A06 plate of 4 – 8 mm for the hull bottom and sides, welded with matching high-magnesium wire, while lightly loaded superstructure may use thinner 5A05 or 5A03 sheet.
5A06 compared with 5A05, 5083, 5456 and 5059
| Property (O temper) | 5A05 | 5A06 | 5083 | 5456 | 5059 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium | 4.8 – 5.5 % | 5.8 – 6.8 % | 4.0 – 4.9 % | 4.7 – 5.5 % | 5.0 – 6.0 % |
| Tensile strength (min) | 275 MPa | 315 MPa | 275 MPa | 290 MPa | 330 MPa |
| Yield strength (min) | 145 MPa | 155 MPa | 125 MPa | 130 MPa | 160 MPa |
| Main standards | GB / GOST | GB / GOST | ASTM / EN | ASTM | EN / class rules |
| Class-society approval | Project-specific | Project-specific | Widely approved | Approved | Approved |
5083, 5456 and 5059 values are ASTM B209 / EN 485-2 minimums for O or H111 plate; check thickness band on the order standard.
Choose 5A06 when the drawing names it or when you need the highest annealed strength in a conventional Al-Mg plate. Where the vessel must be classed by DNV, ABS, LR or BV and the design permits, 5083 or 5059 plate with class certificates is usually simpler to source and approve.
How to order and ship 5A06 plate
- SpecifyAlloy and temper (for example 5A06-H112, 10 × 1500 × 3000 mm), thickness, width and length or a drawing, quantity, and the governing standard (GB/T 3880, GOST 21631 / 17232 or your drawing).
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerances, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your destination.
- ProcessPlate is saw-cut or waterjet-cut to size where required, film-protected on request and inspected for dimensions and surface.
- DocumentEach shipment carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with chemistry and mechanical results, plus the packing list; third-party inspection can be arranged.
- ShipSeaworthy wooden cases or fumigated pallets, dispatched by sea or air to your port or door.
Plates travel in closed containers, packed in export wooden cases or on fumigated pallets with moisture barrier. Aluminium plate must be kept dry: water trapped between stacked sheets causes water staining that cannot be polished out on high-magnesium alloys. If plates must be stored outdoors in transit, packs are covered with waterproof sheeting and raised at least 100 mm off the ground.
References and standards
- GB/T 3880.2 – Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy plates, sheets and strips for general engineering: mechanical properties
- GB/T 3190 – Chemical composition of wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys
- GOST 21631 – Sheets of aluminium and aluminium alloys: specifications
- GOST 4784 – Aluminium and wrought aluminium alloys: grades
- ASTM B209 – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
5A06 aluminium (aluminum) sheet and plate: frequently asked questions
What is 5A06 aluminium equivalent to?
5A06 is the same alloy as the Russian AMg6 (1560). It has no exact ASTM or EN equivalent. 5456 is the nearest registered AA alloy, and 5059 is a newer high-magnesium grade with higher strength; 5083 is often accepted as a lower-strength substitute.
Is 5A06 stronger than 5083?
Yes. In the annealed condition 5A06 has a minimum tensile strength of 315 MPa and yield of 155 MPa, against 275 and 125 MPa for 5083-O.
Which filler wire should be used to weld 5A06?
A high-magnesium filler such as 5183, 5556 or AMg6-type wire. Lower-magnesium fillers such as 5356 give welds weaker than the parent plate.
Can 5A06 be used at high temperature?
It is not recommended for continuous service above about 65 °C. At those temperatures magnesium-rich phases form at the grain boundaries and make the alloy susceptible to intergranular and stress corrosion.
Why does 5A06 contain beryllium?
A very small amount (up to 0.005 %) reduces oxidation of magnesium in the melt and in the weld pool, improving casting quality and weld soundness.
What is the weight of a 5A06 plate?
About 2.64 kg per m² per millimetre. A 1500 × 3000 × 10 mm plate weighs roughly 119 kg, and a 2000 × 4000 × 20 mm plate about 422 kg.
Do you supply 5A06 outside India?
Yes. Metline exports 5A06 sheet and plate worldwide with EN 10204 3.1 certificates, seaworthy packing and EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
Sourcing 5A06 or AMg6 plate?
Send the temper, thickness, size, quantity and governing standard. We will confirm availability, testing and a delivered price.
