1980, known in older documents as V48-4 (В48-4), is a Russian heat-treatable, weldable Al-Zn-Mg alloy developed for welded and riveted structures that work in seawater. It is used only in the quenched and artificially aged condition, 1980T1, where sheet guarantees about 365 MPa tensile and 295 MPa yield strength. This guide explains the grade, its standards, properties and the checks to make before you substitute or order it.
1980 is a four-digit designation in the Russian system for wrought aluminium. The leading 1 marks an aluminium-base alloy and the 9 places it in the Al-Zn-Mg family, the same chemical group as Western 7020 and 7039. The letter-and-number name V48-4 (В48-4) is its older laboratory designation, and both names still appear on drawings and certificates.
The alloy was developed by the Russian shipbuilding materials institute (CRISM "Prometey") as a high-strength aluminium that can still be fusion welded. That combination is unusual: most aluminium alloys that reach yield strengths around 300 MPa are copper-bearing 2xxx or 7xxx aerospace grades, which crack when welded and corrode quickly in seawater. 1980 keeps copper very low and relies on zinc and magnesium for strength, with manganese, chromium and zirconium to control grain structure and resist stress-corrosion cracking.
In practice, 1980 sits between the non-heat-treatable marine alloys such as 1561 (AMg61) and 5083, which weld easily but are limited to roughly 130 – 200 MPa yield, and the much stronger but non-weldable 1941 and 1943 Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys from the same institute, which are reserved for riveted structures.
1980 is not listed in the general interstate grade standard for wrought aluminium (GOST 4784), which mainly covers grades with international counterparts. It is instead specified through shipbuilding product standards and industry (OST) documents. Always confirm which document and edition governs your order, because acceptance values differ between them.
| Document | What it covers | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GOST R 56371-2015 | Aluminium alloy sheet for shipbuilding | Lists 1980 (V48-4) alongside 1561, 1985ch, 1941 and 1943 |
| GOST R 56854-2016 | Extruded bar of 1561 and 1980 for shipbuilding | Used for machined fittings and fastener blanks |
| OST 1 92063-78 | Plate of aluminium alloys | Older industry standard; plate supplied untreated or as T1 |
| Shipbuilding OST profile standards | Bulb flat and other hull sections | Name the exact OST on the order |
| Customer TU (technical conditions) | Project-specific forms and acceptance tests | Common for forgings, tube and special sizes |
Russian product standards are revised periodically. Quote the full number and year from your drawing, and we will check availability against that document.
The ranges below are those commonly quoted for 1980 in supplier datasheets and correspond to the alloy's published position as a low-copper Al-Zn-Mg grade. The governing OST or TU on your order sets the binding limits, and the mill certificate reports the actual analysis of each melt.
| Element | Content (wt %) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc (Zn) | 4.0 – 4.8 | Main strengthening element, forms MgZn2 precipitates on ageing |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 2.0 – 2.6 | Partner to zinc in the strengthening phase; adds solid-solution strength |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.30 – 0.50 | Grain control and resistance to stress corrosion |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.10 – 0.20 | Suppresses recrystallisation, improves stress-corrosion behaviour |
| Zirconium (Zr) | 0.10 – 0.18 | Refines grain, reduces weld cracking and quench sensitivity |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.08 | Kept very low for seawater corrosion resistance and weldability |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.30 | Impurity |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.20 | Impurity |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.07 | Grain refiner for the cast ingot |
| Aluminium (Al) | Balance |
The developer publishes the following minimum values for 1980 in the T1 condition. T1 in the Russian system means quenched and artificially aged; it is not the same as the ANSI T1 temper (cooled from hot working and naturally aged), so do not read Russian and American temper codes as interchangeable.
| Product form | Tensile strength σв, min | Yield strength σ0.2, min | Elongation δ5, min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet, 1 – 10 mm | 365 MPa | 295 MPa | 12 % |
| Plate, 11 – 20 mm | 365 MPa | 290 MPa | 10 % |
| Extruded profiles | 390 MPa | 310 MPa | 11 % |
| Tube | 390 MPa | 340 MPa | 9 % |
| Die forgings (stampings) | 360 MPa | 295 MPa | 10 % |
| Forgings and tube blanks | 360 MPa | 295 MPa | 8 % |
Source: CRISM "Prometey" (NRC Kurchatov Institute) datasheet for alloys 1980, 1941 and 1943. Specific product standards may set different values for particular thickness bands and test directions.
Physical values are typical for the alloy family and are given for estimating only; they are not acceptance values.
Al-Zn-Mg alloys are among the few high-strength aluminium families that weld well by MIG and TIG. Low copper and zirconium additions reduce hot cracking. Filler choice and welding procedure must follow the project's approved procedure specification.
A useful property of Al-Zn-Mg alloys is that the heat-affected zone partly recovers strength by natural ageing at room temperature over the weeks after welding, unlike 6xxx alloys.
For 1980T1 the developer states that weld strength and corrosion resistance can be brought back to base-metal level by a special heat treatment of the welded structure.
All high-strength Al-Zn-Mg alloys can be sensitive to stress-corrosion cracking, particularly in the short-transverse direction. The two-stage age of T1 is designed to improve resistance; avoid high sustained tensile stresses across the thickness.
The alloy is intended for structures working in seawater. Exposed welds and crevices are normally protected by coatings, and contact with copper alloys or carbon steel must be insulated.
In T1 the alloy machines cleanly. Cold forming is limited at full strength; tight bends are better made before final ageing, following the governing process documents.
Metline sources 1980 from qualified mills in the forms below and can arrange cutting to size before export. Availability depends on the exact standard and size, so we confirm each enquiry individually.
| Form | Typical use | What to specify |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet, 1 – 10 mm | Hull plating, deckhouses, bulkheads, light structure | Thickness, width, length, standard, temper T1 |
| Plate, 11 – 20 mm and thicker | Load-bearing plates, foundations, connection plates | Thickness band, flatness, ultrasonic test if required |
| Extruded profiles | Stiffeners, bulb flats, frames | Section drawing or OST profile number |
| Extruded bar | Machined fittings, fastener blanks | Diameter, length, GOST R 56854 or TU |
| Tube | Handrails, piping supports, structural members | OD, wall, length, test requirements |
| Forgings and stampings | Heavy fittings, brackets | Drawing, weight, test location |
1980 has no one-to-one counterpart in ISO, EN or ASTM. The nearest Western alloys belong to the weldable Al-Zn-Mg group, but their zinc-to-magnesium balance, strength and corrosion behaviour differ, so a substitute is a design decision, not a purchasing one.
| Alloy | System | Typical yield (aged) | How it compares with 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7020 (EN AW-7020) | Al-Zn-Mg | about 280 – 300 MPa (T6) | Closest common Western grade; lower magnesium, widely used for welded rail and military structures |
| 7039 | Al-Zn-Mg | about 340 MPa (T64) | Higher magnesium, used for armour plate; less common today |
| 7005 | Al-Zn-Mg | about 290 MPa (T6/T53) | Mainly extrusions, e.g. bicycle frames |
| 1561 / 5083 | Al-Mg | about 130 – 200 MPa | Non-heat-treatable marine alloys; easier to weld and more corrosion resistant, but weaker |
Material is packed in seaworthy wooden cases or on pallets with moisture protection and interleaving to protect surfaces. We help check grade names across Russian and international documents before an order is placed.
Yes. 1980 is the four-digit Russian grade number and V48-4 (В48-4) is the older letter designation of the same Al-Zn-Mg alloy. Both may appear on drawings, so quote whichever your document uses.
In the Russian system T1 means quenched and artificially aged. For 1980 the ageing is done in two stages to balance strength and stress-corrosion resistance. It is not the same as the American T1 temper.
Yes. It was designed as a weldable high-strength alloy for marine structures. Welds lose some strength, but the developer states that a special post-weld heat treatment restores weld strength and corrosion resistance to base-metal level.
No exact one. 7020 is the closest common Western Al-Zn-Mg alloy, but its composition and guaranteed properties differ, so a substitution must be approved by the designer or classification body.
Sheet of 1980T1 guarantees about 295 MPa yield strength, roughly double that of 5083-H111 and well above 5083-H116. The trade-off is greater sensitivity to stress corrosion and the need for controlled heat treatment.
Yes. We source sheet, plate, profiles and bar to the stated GOST, OST or TU, cut to size on request, and ship worldwide with mill test certificates and export packing.
Send the grade, standard, form, sizes and destination. Our team will check the specification and reply with availability and certification.
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