Marine and shipbuilding
5052, 5154, 5056 and 5083 rivets in boats, superstructures and fittings exposed to seawater.
Fastener wire guide
5000 Series Aluminium Wire and Rod for Rivets
5000 series rivet wire is aluminium-magnesium alloy wire drawn for cold heading into solid, semi-tubular and blind rivets. Strength rises with magnesium content, from about 1 % in 5005 to over 6 % in 5A06, while corrosion resistance stays excellent, which is why 5xxx rivets are standard in marine, transport, building and magnesium-alloy structures. This guide compares the grades and explains how to specify them.
- Alloy family
- Al-Mg (non-heat-treatable)
- Common grades
- 5052 · 5056 · 5154 · 5A06
- Tempers
- O · H12 – H18 · H32 – H38
- Standards
- ASTM B316 · EN 1301 · GB/T 3196
Why use aluminium-magnesium wire for rivets?
A rivet is a short piece of wire that must survive being upset cold into a head, then carry shear and tension for the life of the structure without corroding. 5xxx alloys meet those demands well: they gain strength from magnesium in solid solution and from cold work rather than heat treatment, so rivets can be driven as received without the refrigeration or timed driving that 2017 and 2024 rivets need.
Magnesium also gives these alloys some of the best corrosion resistance among aluminium grades, particularly in seawater and industrial atmospheres. That makes 5xxx rivets a natural match for 5xxx and 6xxx sheet in boats, rail cars, truck bodies, containers and cladding, where joining like with like avoids galvanic problems. 5056 rivets are also the traditional choice for fastening magnesium alloy parts, because their electrochemical potential is closer to magnesium than copper-bearing aluminium rivets.
5000 series rivet alloys compared
| Grade | Magnesium (%) | Typical rivet tempers | Character | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5005 | 0.50 – 1.1 | H14, H18 | Soft, anodises evenly | Snap and decorative rivets |
| 5050 | 1.1 – 1.8 | O, H32, H38 | Easy heading, moderate strength | Snap rivets, light fasteners |
| 5052 | 2.2 – 2.8 | O, H32, H34 | Very good corrosion resistance, versatile | Solid, semi-tubular and blind rivet bodies |
| 5754 | 2.6 – 3.6 | O, H22, H32 | European equivalent family to 5052 strength | Automotive, rail and brake-lining rivets |
| 5154 | 3.1 – 3.9 | O, H32, H38 | Higher strength, good weldability | Marine and structural rivets |
| 5056 / 5056A | 4.5 – 5.6 | O, H32 | High shear strength, compatible with magnesium alloys | Aerospace "B" rivets, marine, structural |
| 5083 | 4.0 – 4.9 | O, H32 | Marine-grade strength | Ship and offshore rivets |
| 5A02 (GB) | 2.0 – 2.8 | O, H14 | Close to 5052 | General rivets in GB-specified designs |
| 5A05 (GB) | 4.8 – 5.5 | O, H | High strength Al-Mg | Structural rivets |
| 5A06 (GB) | 5.8 – 6.8 | O, H | Highest strength of the family | Heavy structural and aerospace rivets |
Magnesium ranges are registered composition limits (Aluminum Association for 4-digit grades, GB/T 3190 for 5A grades). Temper availability varies by diameter; confirm at enquiry.
5xxx alloys cannot be strengthened by heat treatment, so the temper is set by drawing reduction and, where needed, a final anneal. Annealed (O) wire heads most easily and is used for large or complex heads; strain-hardened and stabilised tempers such as H32 give higher shear strength in the finished rivet.
Typical mechanical properties
| Grade and temper | Tensile strength (MPa) | Yield strength (MPa) | Shear strength (MPa) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5005-H18 | 200 | 195 | — |
| 5052-O | 195 | 90 | 125 |
| 5052-H32 | 228 | 193 | 138 |
| 5154-H32 | 270 | 205 | 150 |
| 5056-O | 290 | 152 | 179 |
| 5056 driven rivet (B rivet) | — | — | 193 (28 ksi design shear value) |
| 5083-O | 290 | 145 | about 170 |
Typical values from Aluminum Association and ASM data, not specified minimums. Rivet design allowables come from the governing code or handbook.
Diameters, tolerances and packaging
Typical supply range
- Diameter
- about 1.0 – 15 mm for rivet wire; larger rod for heavy rivets and brake rivets
- Diameter tolerance
- commonly ±0.02 – 0.05 mm depending on size; tighter by agreement
- Surface
- Clean, bright, free from scratches, laps and seams that would split during heading
- Forms
- Coils for automatic headers, straight lengths for low-volume work
- Lubrication
- Light drawing lubricant or dry, to suit your heading process
- Documents
- Mill test certificate with chemistry, tensile results and diameter; EN 10204 3.1
What makes rivet wire head well
- Upset test: a sample is compressed to a set ratio (often to one third or half its length) without cracking; ask for it on the certificate.
- Surface integrity: seams and die marks open into cracks on the head, so surface inspection matters more than for general wire.
- Consistent temper: variable hardness along a coil changes head size and rivet length on automatic headers.
- Grain size: coarse grains give an orange-peel head; annealing practice should keep grains fine.
- Ovality and tolerance: tight diameter control is essential for feeding and cut-off accuracy.
Where 5xxx rivets are used
Rail, bus and truck bodies
Solid and blind rivets joining 5xxx and 6xxx panels and extrusions.
Containers and trailers
Blind rivets for side panels and liners, where corrosion resistance and low weight matter.
Aerospace
5056 "B" rivets, identified by a raised-cross head marking, especially where magnesium parts are fastened.
Building and HVAC
Cladding, roofing, ductwork and signage, often with anodised or painted finishes.
Brake linings and automotive
Larger-diameter 5754 rod rivets for brake shoes and assemblies.
What to specify
- Grade and standardFor example 5056-H32 to ASTM B316, or 5A06 to GB/T 3196.
- Diameter and toleranceNominal size and the tolerance your header needs.
- Temper and propertiesTemper plus any tensile, hardness or upset requirement.
- PackagingCoil weight and inside diameter to suit your payoff, or straight lengths.
- DeliveryQuantity, destination and terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP), with EN 10204 3.1 certificates.
Avoid using high-magnesium rivets (over about 3 % Mg) in parts held above 65 °C for long periods: they can become sensitive to intergranular corrosion. 5052 or 5754 are safer in warm service.
References and standards
- ASTM B316/B316M – Aluminum and aluminium-alloy rivet and cold-heading wire and rods
- EN 1301-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: drawn wire, mechanical properties
- GB/T 3196 – Aluminium and aluminium alloy wire for rivets
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
- MMPDS – Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization (rivet shear allowables)
5000 series aluminium (aluminum) rivet wire: FAQs
Which 5xxx alloy is strongest for rivets?
5A06 and 5056 have the highest magnesium content and the highest shear strength in the family. 5056-H32 is the internationally recognised structural choice; 5A06 is used where GB standards apply.
Do 5xxx rivets need heat treatment before driving?
No. They are non-heat-treatable and are driven in the delivered temper, unlike 2017 or 2024 "ice-box" rivets.
Why are 5056 rivets used with magnesium parts?
Their electrode potential is close to magnesium, so galvanic corrosion is much lower than with copper-containing 2xxx rivets.
What diameter tolerance does rivet wire need?
Typically about ±0.02 to ±0.05 mm depending on size and header. Tell us your feed system and we will confirm what can be held.
Can 5xxx rivets be anodised?
Yes. 5005 and 5052 anodise well and are often chosen for visible rivets on anodised panels.
Need 5xxx rivet wire?
Send the grade, temper, diameter, tolerance and coil size. We reply with availability, certification and a delivered quote.
