Storage
Keep spools sealed until use, in a dry store at stable temperature. Moisture and oxide on the wire are the main causes of porosity.
Aerospace · Al-Mg welding filler
5556 & 5556A Aluminium Welding Wire and Rod
5556 is the highest-strength member of the common aluminium-magnesium filler family. With about 5 % magnesium, 0.75 % manganese and a titanium grain refiner, it gives stronger welds than 5356 or 5183 in high-strength 5xxx and weldable 7xxx alloys. Metline supplies ER5556 and S Al 5556A MIG wire and TIG rod to AWS A5.10 and ISO 18273, with batch certificates, to buyers worldwide.
- Alloy
- ER5556 / 5556A (AlMg5Mn1Ti)
- Forms
- MIG wire on spools; TIG rod
- Diameter
- About 0.8 – 5.0 mm
- Standards
- AWS A5.10 · ISO 18273
What 5556 filler is for
Filler choice decides the strength, ductility and corrosion behaviour of an aluminium weld. 5556 is selected when the joint must be as strong as possible in a non-heat-treated, welded condition, for example in 5083, 5456 and 5383 plate, or in weldable Al-Zn-Mg alloys such as 7005, 7020 and 7039.
In aerospace and defence work this means welded ground tanks and cryogenic equipment, armoured and protective vehicle hulls, heavy ground support equipment, shelters and naval aviation structures. 5556 is not used to weld heat-treatable airframe alloys such as 2024 or 7075, which are joined mechanically, and it is not chosen for parts that run hot.
Compared with ER5356, ER5556 gives higher as-welded tensile and shear strength. Compared with ER5183, it carries slightly more manganese and a deliberate titanium addition, which refines the weld grain and helps resist hot cracking.
ER5556 and 5556A composition (wt %)
| Element | ER5556 (AWS A5.10) | S Al 5556A (ISO 18273) |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.25 max | 0.25 max |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.40 max | 0.40 max |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.10 max | 0.10 max |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.50 – 1.0 | 0.6 – 1.0 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 4.7 – 5.5 | 5.0 – 5.5 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.05 – 0.20 | 0.05 – 0.20 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.25 max | 0.20 max |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.05 – 0.20 | 0.05 – 0.20 |
| Beryllium (Be) | 0.0003 max | 0.0003 max |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | Remainder |
The "A" grade holds a tighter magnesium and manganese window. Beryllium is limited because its fumes are hazardous. Check limits against the current editions of AWS A5.10 and ISO 18273.
Weld metal and physical properties
| Property | Typical value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All-weld-metal tensile strength | About 290 – 310 MPa | As welded |
| All-weld-metal yield strength | About 145 – 160 MPa | As welded |
| Elongation | About 17 – 25 % | Depends on process and test |
| Melting range | About 575 – 635 °C | — |
| Density | About 2.66 g/cm³ | For metres-per-kilogram calculations |
| Electrical conductivity | About 29 % IACS | Relevant to MIG feeding and arc settings |
Joint strength in a real structure depends on the parent alloy and its heat-affected zone. Welding procedure qualification to AWS D1.2, ISO 15614-2 or ASME Section IX remains the basis for design values.
Some sources quote 380 MPa for 5556 weld metal; that figure is not typical of as-welded aluminium-magnesium deposits and should not be used for design.
Diameters and packaging
Supply range
- MIG wire
- 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0 and 2.4 mm
- TIG rod
- 1.6, 2.0, 2.4, 3.2, 4.0 and 5.0 mm, usually in 1000 mm lengths
- Spools
- Common sizes from about 0.5 kg (S100) to 7 kg (S300 / BS300); larger drums for robotic welding
- Surface
- Shaved or bright drawn, clean and dry, sealed in moisture-proof packs
- Marking
- Each spool or tube labelled with classification, diameter and batch number
| Diameter (mm) | Grams per metre | Metres per kg |
|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 1.34 | 748 |
| 1 | 2.09 | 479 |
| 1.2 | 3.01 | 332 |
| 1.6 | 5.35 | 187 |
| 2 | 8.36 | 120 |
| 2.4 | 12.03 | 83 |
| 3.2 | 21.39 | 47 |
| 4 | 33.43 | 30 |
| 5 | 52.23 | 19 |
5556 compared with 5356, 5183 and 4043
| Property | ER4043 | ER5356 | ER5183 | ER5556 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main alloying | Si 5 % | Mg 5 % | Mg 4.8 %, Mn 0.75 % | Mg 5.1 %, Mn 0.75 %, Ti |
| Relative as-welded strength on 5083 | Low (not recommended) | Good | High | Highest |
| Hot-crack resistance on 6xxx | Excellent | Good | Good | Good |
| Service above 65 °C | Yes | No | No | No |
| Colour match after anodising | Poor (grey) | Good | Good | Good |
- Choose ER5556 for 5456, high-strength 5083 and weldable 7xxx structures where joint strength is critical
- Choose ER5183 as the general high-strength filler for 5083 and 5086
- Choose ER5356 for 5052, 5086 and 6xxx alloys where very high joint strength is not needed
- Choose ER5554 or ER4043 for parts that run above 65 °C
Storage and welding tips
Preparation
Remove oxide from joint faces with a stainless brush or solvent clean just before welding.
Feeding
Use U-groove drive rolls, a PTFE or nylon liner and the correct contact tip to avoid shaving the soft wire.
Shielding
Argon or argon-helium mixtures; helium additions give deeper penetration on thick plate.
How to order 5556 wire
- SpecifyAlloy and temper, diameter, spool type or rod length, quantity and the governing specification with its revision (AWS A5.10 or ISO 18273).
- 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 and surface condition; tests named on the order are carried out or arranged with an independent laboratory.
- 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, crates or pallets, shipped by sea or air to your port or door.
References and standards
- AWS A5.10/A5.10M – Welding consumables: wire electrodes, wires and rods for welding of aluminum and aluminum alloys
- ISO 18273 – Welding consumables: wire electrodes, wires and rods for welding of aluminium and aluminium alloys, classification
- AWS D1.2 – Structural Welding Code: Aluminum
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials
5556 aluminium (aluminum) welding wire: FAQs
What is the difference between 5556 and 5556A?
They are the same alloy family. ER5556 is the AWS classification; S Al 5556A is the ISO 18273 classification, with a slightly tighter magnesium and manganese range.
When should I use ER5556 instead of ER5183?
When you need the highest possible as-welded strength, for example on 5456 plate or weldable 7xxx alloys. For most 5083 work ER5183 is sufficient.
Can 5556 be used to weld 6061?
It can, and it gives good strength, but ER4043 or ER5356 is more common on 6061. ER5556 should not be used where the joint will see service above 65 °C.
Is 5556 wire covered by an AMS specification?
Aluminium filler wire is normally bought to AWS A5.10 or ISO 18273. Note that AMS 4190 covers a 5.2 % silicon wire (4043), not 5556, so it should not be cited for 5556.
How should 5556 wire be stored?
In its sealed pack in a dry, temperature-stable store. Once opened, keep spools covered and use them promptly to avoid porosity from surface moisture and oxide.
Need 5556 welding wire or rod?
Send the classification, diameter, packaging and quantity. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
