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Marine · Al-Mg3 plate

5754 Marine Aluminium Sheet & Plate

5754 is Europe's workhorse aluminium-magnesium plate: very good seawater resistance, excellent formability and easy welding at a lower cost than 5083. It is one of the rolled alloys named in IACS UR W25 for hull construction and is widely used for superstructures, interiors, tanks and small-craft hulls. Metline supplies 5754 sheet and plate in O, H111, H22, H32 and H112, cut and certified, worldwide.

5754 H111 aluminium sheets for boat superstructures
Alloy
5754 (AlMg3)
Tempers
O, H111, H22, H32, H112
Thickness
About 1 – 50 mm
Standards
EN 485 · EN 573-3 · IACS W25
Overview

Why boatbuilders use 5754

5754 (EN AW-5754, AlMg3) contains 2.6 – 3.6 % magnesium, with manganese plus chromium held between 0.10 and 0.60 %. It sits between 5052 and 5083 in strength and is the most widely stocked Al-Mg plate in European markets.

For marine work its attraction is balance. It is markedly stronger than 5052 and 5005, resists seawater and marine atmosphere almost as well as 5083, bends and presses more easily than 5083, and welds readily with 5xxx fillers. Its lower magnesium also makes it less prone to sensitisation than 5083 or 5456, though long exposure to high temperature should still be avoided.

IACS UR W25 lists 5754 among the rolled alloys for hull construction, in the O and H111 tempers, so classification societies accept it for plating where its strength is enough. In practice 5754 is chosen for superstructures, wheelhouses, decks of smaller craft, bulkheads, interior linings, tanks and the hulls of small boats, while 5083 or 5383 is reserved for highly stressed bottom and side shell plating of larger vessels.

Chemical composition

5754 chemical composition (wt %)

ElementMinimumMaximumRole
Silicon (Si)—0.40Impurity
Iron (Fe)—0.40Impurity
Copper (Cu)—0.10Held low for corrosion resistance
Manganese (Mn)—0.50Strength and grain control
Magnesium (Mg)2.63.6Main strengthening element
Chromium (Cr)—0.30Grain control, stress-corrosion resistance
Mn + Cr0.100.60Combined limit specific to 5754
Zinc (Zn)—0.20Impurity
Titanium (Ti)—0.15Grain refiner
Others, each / total—0.05 / 0.15
Aluminium (Al)Remainder

Limits from EN 573-3, identical to the values in IACS UR W25 Table 1.

Mechanical & physical properties

Mechanical properties of 5754 plate

The O and H111 values are the IACS UR W25 requirements for 3 – 50 mm plate, which match EN 485-2. The other tempers are EN 485-2 values for the thickness bands shown. Elongation is on 50 mm gauge up to 12.5 mm and on 5d above.

TemperThicknessTensile strength RmProof Rp0.2 (min)Elongation (min)
O / H1113 – 50 mm190 – 240 MPa80 MPaA50 18 % / A5d 17 %
H22 / H32up to about 6 mm220 – 270 MPa130 MPaabout 7 – 11 %
H24 / H34up to about 6 mm240 – 280 MPa160 MPaabout 6 – 10 %
H1126 – 12.5 mm≥ 190 MPa100 MPa12 %
H11212.5 – 50 mm≥ 190 MPa80 – 90 MPa10 – 12 %

Typical 5754-H111 plate tests at about 210 – 220 MPa tensile and 100 MPa proof with 20 % or more elongation. Because welding returns the heat-affected zone to annealed strength, welded 5754 structures are designed on O-temper values regardless of the temper bought.

Physical properties

Density
2.67 g/cm³
Modulus of elasticity
About 70 GPa
Thermal conductivity
About 130 – 140 W/m·K
Electrical conductivity
About 33 % IACS
Coefficient of thermal expansion
About 23.8 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
Melting range
About 600 – 640 °C
Tempers

Which 5754 temper for which job

H111

Annealed with slight strain hardening from levelling. The standard marine plate temper and the one most often certified to class.

O

Fully annealed, for deep pressings, spun parts and tight bends.

H22 / H32

Quarter-hard sheet for flat panels, linings and tank walls that need more stiffness and dent resistance.

H24 / H34

Half-hard sheet for flat, unformed panels and chequer-style deck applications.

H112

As-rolled thicker plate for doublers, brackets and machined parts.

Class scope

UR W25 lists 5754 in O and H111. Other tempers can be used for non-structural parts or with the society's agreement.

Standards & class rules

Standards and classification

5754 is ordered to EN 485-1 to -4 (sheet and plate), with composition to EN 573-3; Chinese projects use GB/T 3880 or the marine plate standard GB/T 22641. For classed vessels, plate must come from a works approved by the society for 5754, with one tensile test per batch (and per additional 2000 kg) as UR W25 requires. Corrosion testing to ASTM G66 and G67 is required by UR W25 only for the higher-magnesium alloys in H116 and H321, not for 5754.

SystemDesignation
EuropeanEN AW-5754 / EN AW-AlMg3
German Werkstoff3.3535 (AlMg3)
UNSA95754
ISOAlMg3
Class rulesIACS UR W25 rolled products, O / H111
Supply range

5754 sheet and plate sizes

Supply range

Thickness
Sheet about 1 – 6 mm; plate 6 – 50 mm
Common sizes
1000 × 2000, 1250 × 2500, 1500 × 3000 mm; 2000 × 4000 and 2000 × 6000 mm in 3 – 10 mm
Imperial
0.04 – 1.18 in thickness in equivalent metric gauges
Long plates
Widths up to about 2400 mm (3 – 20 mm) and 3500 mm (20 – 50 mm) by arrangement
Surface
Mill finish; one-side PVC film for visible superstructure panels

5754 weighs 2.67 kg per m² per millimetre of thickness.

Thickness (mm)kg per m²1250 × 2500 (kg)1500 × 3000 (kg)2000 × 6000 (kg)
12.678.312.032.0
1.54.0012.518.048.1
25.3416.724.064.1
2.56.6720.930.080.1
38.0125.036.096.1
410.6833.448.1128.2
513.3541.760.1160.2
616.0250.172.1192.2
821.3666.896.1256.3
1026.7083.4120.1320.4
1232.04100.1144.2384.5
1540.05125.2180.2480.6
2053.40166.9240.3640.8
2566.75208.6300.4801.0
3080.10250.3360.4961.2
Tolerances

Thickness tolerances

Typical thickness tolerances for hot-rolled 5754 plate, consistent with EN 485-3. Cold-rolled sheet to EN 485-4 is held tighter.

Thickness (mm)Width ≤ 1500 mmWidth 1500 – 2000 mmWidth over 2000 mm
3 – 4±0.10+0.17 / −0.15+0.23 / −0.15
over 4 – 8±0.20+0.23 / −0.20+0.28 / −0.25
over 8 – 12+0.38 / −0.25+0.51 / −0.25+0.58 / −0.25
over 12 – 20+0.50 / −0.35+0.60 / −0.40+0.65 / −0.50
over 20 – 50+0.65 / −0.45+0.75 / −0.50+0.90 / −0.65

For classed plate, UR W25 refers to the manufacturer's tolerance standard agreed with the society; underthickness limits are especially important because scantlings are calculated on nominal thickness.

Fabrication

Welding, forming and finishing 5754

Welding

MIG and TIG with ER5356 or ER5183 filler. Weld zones fall to O-temper strength (190 MPa minimum), which is already the design basis for H111.

Forming

H111 bends to tight radii (about 1 × t for thin plate) and presses well, making it ideal for curved wheelhouse fronts and coamings.

Cutting

Plasma, waterjet, laser (thin sheet) and saw. Edge-prepare welded joints mechanically.

Painting

Degrease, abrade or etch-prime, then apply a marine epoxy system. Avoid copper antifouling on aluminium.

Anodising

Gives a uniform protective finish for windows, trim and interior panels.

Distortion

Thin 5754 superstructure panels distort under welding heat; use intermittent welds, jigs and correct sequence.

Applications

Where 5754 plate is used at sea

  • Superstructures and wheelhouses on workboats, ferries and yachts
  • Small-craft hulls such as RIB hulls, tenders, fishing boats and landing craft
  • Decks and bulkheads where class strength requirements are moderate
  • Tanks: fresh-water, grey-water and fuel tanks
  • Interiors: linings, ceilings, partitions and furniture
  • Deck equipment: hatches, doors, gangways and ladders

A typical aluminium fishing vessel might use 5083-H116 for the bottom and side shell, 5754-H111 for the wheelhouse, casing and internal bulkheads, and 6082 extrusions for frames, trimming cost and weight while keeping the structure in compatible alloys.

Comparison

5754 compared with 5083, 5052 and 5454

Property5754-H1115083-H1115052-H325454-H111
Min tensile190 MPa275 MPa215 MPa215 MPa
Min proof80 MPa125 MPa160 MPa85 MPa
FormabilityVery goodGoodVery goodVery good
Listed in UR W25 (rolled)YesYesNoNo
Service above 65 °CUse with careAvoidSuitableSuitable
Typical roleSuperstructure, small hullsMain hull platingSmall craft, sheet workWarm tanks

In North America, 5052 or 5086 is often used where Europe uses 5754. For new classed designs needing more strength, move to 5083-H116 or 5383.

Ordering

How to order 5754 marine plate

  1. SpecifyAlloy and temper, thickness, width and length or a nesting list, quantity and the governing standard with its edition (EN 485, GB/T 3880 / GB/T 22641 or class rule). If the vessel is classed, name the society and whether a class certificate is required.
  2. ConfirmWe confirm the standard and tolerance class can be met, which tests are included (tensile, chemistry, corrosion tests where the standard calls for them) and the delivery terms: EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP.
  3. InspectMaterial is checked for dimensions, straightness, twist and surface condition before packing; third-party or class surveyor inspection can be arranged on request.
  4. DocumentEach lot ships with a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 showing the cast analysis and mechanical results, traceable by cast or lot number.
  5. Pack and shipBars or plates are bundled or cased with moisture protection, marked with alloy, temper, size and lot, and shipped by sea or air to your port or yard.
Sources

References and standards

  1. IACS UR W25 – Aluminium alloys for hull construction and marine structure
  2. EN 485-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: sheet, strip and plate, mechanical properties
  3. EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
  4. EN 485-3 / EN 485-4 – Tolerances on dimensions and form for hot- and cold-rolled products
  5. GB/T 22641 – Aluminium alloy plates and sheets for marine use
  6. The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
FAQ

5754 marine aluminium (aluminum) plate: FAQs

Is 5754 a marine-grade aluminium?

Yes. It resists seawater very well and is one of the rolled alloys listed in IACS UR W25 for hull construction, in O and H111 tempers.

What is the difference between 5754 and 5083?

5083 has more magnesium (4.0 – 4.9 %) and is about 40 % stronger in the annealed state, so it is used for main hull plating. 5754 is easier to form, cheaper and less prone to sensitisation, and suits superstructures, interiors and small craft.

What is 5754-H111?

Annealed plate given a small amount of strain hardening during levelling. Its UR W25 minimums are 190 – 240 MPa tensile and 80 MPa proof, the same as O temper.

Can 5754 be used for fuel tanks?

Yes. 5754 is widely used for fuel and water tanks. For tanks that run above about 65 °C, 5454 is the safer choice.

How much does a 5754 plate weigh?

2.67 kg per m² per mm. A 1500 × 3000 × 5 mm plate weighs about 60 kg.

Do you supply 5754 marine plate internationally?

Yes. Metline supplies 5754 sheet and plate cut to size with EN 10204 3.1 certificates and export packing, and arranges class certification from approved works on request.

Need 5754 plate for a hull or superstructure?

Send temper, thicknesses, sizes, quantity and the class society. We will reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.