O / H111
Annealed; most formable and toughest. Standard for cryogenic tanks and AMS 4056 orders.
Aerospace · high-magnesium plate
5083 Aerospace Aluminium Sheet & Plate
5083 plate is the strongest non-heat-treatable aluminium plate in general supply, with excellent weldability, seawater resistance and toughness at cryogenic temperatures. In aerospace it is used for cryogenic tanks, launch and test-site structures, ground support equipment, shelters and tooling plate. Metline supplies 5083 sheet and plate in O, H111, H116, H321 and H32 to AMS 4056, ASTM B209 and B928, worldwide.
- Alloy
- 5083 (Al-4.4Mg-0.7Mn)
- Tempers
- O, H111, H116, H321, H32
- Thickness
- About 0.5 – 250 mm
- Standards
- AMS 4056 · ASTM B209 · B928
What 5083 plate does in aerospace
5083 is an aluminium-magnesium-manganese alloy with about 4.4 % magnesium. It reaches the highest strength of the non-heat-treatable alloys, keeps that strength well after welding and is one of the few aluminium alloys qualified for service down to liquid-gas temperatures.
Aircraft primary structure uses 2xxx and 7xxx plate; statements that 5083 forms fuselages, wings or tail surfaces are not borne out by airframe practice. 5083 plate is used where welded, corrosion-resistant plate is needed: cryogenic propellant and storage tanks, launch pads and test stands, ground support equipment, air-transportable shelters and containers, ramp and deck structures on ships that operate aircraft, and cast or rolled tooling plate for jigs and fixtures.
Outside aerospace, the same plate is the default for ship hulls, LNG tanks, road tankers and armour, which keeps it widely available in a broad range of sizes and tempers.
5083 chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role in the alloy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.40 | Impurity |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.40 | Impurity |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 | Kept low for seawater resistance |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40 | 1.0 | Adds strength and refines grain |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 4.0 | 4.9 | Main strengthening element |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.05 | 0.25 | Grain control, stress-corrosion resistance |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.25 | Impurity |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.15 | Grain refiner in the cast ingot |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | About 92.4 – 95.6 % |
Registered Aluminum Association limits. 5083 has no registered zirconium requirement; Zr is covered by "others".
5083 plate properties by temper
AMS 4056 covers 5083 in the O temper only, from about 1.3 mm to 203 mm thick. Strain-hardened tempers are bought to ASTM B209, ASTM B928 (marine H116 and H321) or EN 485-2. Minimums fall slightly for thicker plate.
| Temper | Specified tensile | Specified yield (min) | Typical tensile | Typical yield | Typical elongation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O / H111 | 275 – 350 MPa (40 – 51 ksi) | 125 MPa (18 ksi) | 290 MPa | 145 MPa | 22 % |
| H116 / H321 | ≥ 305 MPa (44 ksi) | 215 MPa (31 ksi) | 317 MPa | 228 MPa | 16 % |
| H32 | 305 – 385 MPa (44 – 56 ksi) | 215 MPa (31 ksi) | 317 MPa | 228 MPa | 12 % |
Some published tables list H32, H111, H112 and H116 values "to AMS 4056"; AMS 4056 is an O-temper specification, so those figures should be checked against ASTM B209 or B928.
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.66 g/cm³ (0.096 lb/in³)
- Modulus of elasticity
- 70.3 GPa (10,200 ksi)
- Thermal conductivity
- About 117 – 120 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity
- About 29 % IACS
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- 23.8 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Melting range
- 591 – 638 °C
- Brinell hardness
- About 75 HB (O) to 85 HB (H321)
Choosing a 5083 temper
H116 / H321
Strain-hardened with controlled processing and tested for exfoliation and intergranular corrosion (ASTM B928). The marine and exposed-structure tempers.
H32
Strain-hardened and stabilised; similar strength to H321 without the corrosion testing.
H112
As rolled for thick plate; properties guaranteed at a lower level than H116.
Cast tooling plate
Cast and precision-milled 5083 plate for flat, stress-free jigs and fixtures.
Armour
H131 and related tempers to MIL-DTL-46027 for armoured structures.
Specifications and equivalents
| Specification | Scope |
|---|---|
| SAE AMS 4056 | 5083-O sheet and plate, about 1.3 – 203 mm |
| ASTM B209 / ASME SB-209 | Sheet and plate, all tempers |
| ASTM B928 | High-magnesium plate for marine service (H116, H321) with G66 and G67 corrosion testing |
| MIL-DTL-46027 | Weldable aluminium armour plate (5083 and 5456) |
| QQ-A-250/6 (cancelled) | Superseded by AMS 4056, ASTM B209 and B928 |
| EN 485-2 / EN 573-3 | EN AW-5083 (AlMg4.5Mn0.7), Werkstoff 3.3547 |
Sizes and weights
Supply range
- Sheet
- About 0.5 – 6 mm
- Plate
- About 6 – 250 mm; cast tooling plate to about 400 mm
- Width
- 900 – 2650 mm; wider plate by enquiry
- Length
- To about 12 m; cut to size
- Imperial
- 48 × 96, 48 × 144, 60 × 120, 72 × 240 and 96 × 288 in
- Surface
- Mill finish, PVC film, or milled tooling-plate faces
Weight is 2.66 kg per square metre per millimetre of thickness: a 1250 × 2500 × 10 mm plate weighs about 83 kg, and a 2000 × 6000 × 20 mm plate about 638 kg. See the plate weight calculator.
Welding, forming and service limits
Welding
MIG and TIG with ER5183; as-welded joints reach about the O-temper minimum strength.
Forming
O and H111 form well; H321 and H116 need larger bend radii.
Machining
Gummy; use sharp, polished tools and coolant. Cast tooling plate machines cleanly and stays flat.
Temperature
Avoid sustained service above about 65 °C, where sensitisation can cause intergranular and stress corrosion.
Cryogenic
Strength rises and toughness is retained at −196 °C; 5083-O is a standard LNG and liquid-oxygen tank alloy.
Corrosion testing
For exposed structure, order H116 or H321 to ASTM B928, which requires G67 mass-loss and G66 exfoliation tests.
Typical applications
- Cryogenic tanks for liquid oxygen, nitrogen and LNG at launch and test sites
- Ground support equipment platforms, ramps and welded frames
- Air-transportable shelters, containers and transit cases
- Tooling plate for jigs, fixtures and assembly tools
- Naval aviation: deck structures and equipment on ships that operate aircraft
- Other sectors: marine hulls, tankers, armour and pressure vessels
How to order
- SpecifyAlloy and temper, thickness, width and length or cut blanks, quantity and the governing specification with its revision (AMS 4056, ASTM B209 or B928).
- ConfirmWe confirm the specification can be met, the tolerance class, any extra tests and the delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- InspectMaterial is checked for dimensions, straightness and surface condition; tests named on the order are carried out or arranged with a third party.
- DocumentEach lot ships with a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 showing chemistry and mechanical results, traceable to the cast or lot number.
- Pack and shipExport packing in sealed, moisture-protected wooden cases or on pallets, shipped by sea or air to your port or door.
References and standards
- SAE AMS 4056 – Aluminum Alloy, Sheet and Plate, 5083-O, Annealed
- ASTM B209 – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
- ASTM B928 – High Magnesium Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate for Marine Service and Similar Environments
- MIL-DTL-46027 – Armor Plate, Aluminum Alloy, Weldable 5083 and 5456
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials
5083 aerospace aluminium (aluminum) plate: FAQs
What does AMS 4056 cover?
AMS 4056 covers 5083 sheet and plate in the annealed O temper, about 1.3 to 203 mm thick. Other tempers are ordered to ASTM B209, B928 or EN 485.
Is 5083 plate used for aircraft wings or fuselages?
No. Airframe structure uses heat-treatable 2xxx and 7xxx alloys. 5083 is used for cryogenic tanks, ground equipment, shelters and tooling.
What is the difference between H116 and H321?
Both are strain-hardened tempers with the same minimum strength and are tested for exfoliation and intergranular corrosion under ASTM B928; they differ in processing route.
Why is 5083 used for cryogenic tanks?
It becomes stronger and stays tough at very low temperature, and it welds well, so large tanks can be fabricated and used safely.
Can 5083 plate be used above 65 °C?
Sustained service above about 65 °C is not recommended because of sensitisation; 5454 is the usual alternative for warm service.
Do you supply cut-to-size 5083 plate worldwide?
Yes. Metline ships 5083 plate cut to size worldwide with EN 10204 3.1 certificates and export packing.
Need 5083 plate for cryogenic or GSE work?
Send temper, thickness, size and quantity. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
