5xxx Series
Aluminum-Magnesium Alloys
Overview
Excellent corrosion resistance, good strength, excellent weldability
Work hardening can occur during fabrication
Applications
Common Alloys
Properties
Manufacturing Process
Step 1
Raw Material
High-purity aluminum ingots and magnesium additions (2–5 % Mg) plus trace elements are sourced and weighed.
Step 2
Melting & Alloying
Mg is plunged below the melt surface at 720 °C to prevent oxidation. Careful flux treatment controls the MgO inclusion level.
Step 3
DC Casting
Alloy is DC cast into rolling slabs with strict hydrogen control (≤0.10 ml/100g) to prevent porosity.
Step 4
Homogenisation
Slabs soaked at 480–520 °C for 6–10 h to dissolve Mg-rich phases and equalise composition across the cross-section.
Step 5
Hot & Cold Rolling
Hot rolling at 450 °C followed by cold rolling delivers H-temper work hardening or is interrupted for O-temper anneal.
Step 6
Final Treatment & Inspection
Stabilisation anneal (H116/H321) for marine-grade tempers. Intergranular corrosion (IGC) and sensitisation tests confirm compliance.
Step 1
Raw Material
High-purity aluminum ingots and magnesium additions (2–5 % Mg) plus trace elements are sourced and weighed.
Step 2
Melting & Alloying
Mg is plunged below the melt surface at 720 °C to prevent oxidation. Careful flux treatment controls the MgO inclusion level.
Step 3
DC Casting
Alloy is DC cast into rolling slabs with strict hydrogen control (≤0.10 ml/100g) to prevent porosity.
Step 4
Homogenisation
Slabs soaked at 480–520 °C for 6–10 h to dissolve Mg-rich phases and equalise composition across the cross-section.
Step 5
Hot & Cold Rolling
Hot rolling at 450 °C followed by cold rolling delivers H-temper work hardening or is interrupted for O-temper anneal.
Step 6
Final Treatment & Inspection
Stabilisation anneal (H116/H321) for marine-grade tempers. Intergranular corrosion (IGC) and sensitisation tests confirm compliance.
Chemical Composition
EN 573-3 / AA
Max % unless range shown. Balance: Al.
| Alloy | Chem. Symbol | Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Cr | Zn | Ti |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5052 | AlMg2.5 | 0.25 | 0.40 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 2.2–2.8 | 0.15–0.35 | 0.10 | — |
| 5083 | AlMg4.5Mn0.7 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 0.10 | 0.40–1.0 | 4.0–4.9 | 0.05–0.25 | 0.25 | 0.15 |
| 5086 | AlMg4 | 0.40 | 0.50 | 0.10 | 0.20–0.70 | 3.5–4.5 | 0.05–0.25 | 0.25 | 0.15 |
| 5454 | AlMg3Mn | 0.25 | 0.40 | 0.10 | 0.50–1.0 | 2.4–3.0 | 0.05–0.20 | 0.25 | 0.20 |