5xxx alloys
Surpassing standards
The 5xxx alloy family is considered the time-proven standard choice for applications that call for a combination of strength, corrosion resistance and good formability – and with good reason. The alloys’ high magnesium content is the basis for ensuring high strength through self-hardening without the need for additional heat treatment. This saves both energy and process time. AMAG produces alloys including EN AW-5754, 5083, 5086, 5052, 5454 and 5456 as sheets, shates, plates, coils and rings across a wide spectrum of dimensions – in thicknesses from 1 mm to 152.4 mm, widths up to 2,180 mm and plates with lengths up to 10,000 mm. We also achieve special formats through close collaboration with qualified partners, who serve as an extension of our own processes to implement specific requirements in a flexible and efficient manner.Through years of material development activities, modern plant technology and systematic quality assurance, AMAG creates solutions that are designed for specific specialist applications and facilitate effective processing by customers. The commercial sector in particular benefits from the close links between our expertise in development and application. We incorporate materials expertise from specialist fields – such as marine operations, transport and defense – to continuously optimize our commercial products. This way, all customers benefit from forward-thinking developments in areas such as slab casting, optimized heat treatments and application-focused process routes in the rolling mills. AMAG’s modern rolling facilities also make it possible to achieve products with considerably smaller thickness tolerances than specified in standards, which pays off in downstream processing.In addition to technical quality, however, reliable availability also plays a decisive role – especially in the commercial segment. AMAG makes products in common sizes available at short notice with transparent documentation. The fact that AMAG processes all aluminium alloy families at the same production site further improves process reliability and ensures a consistent transfer of expertise across the entire material portfolio.
| Application | Application | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Industry (e.g. mechanical/plant engineering) | 5754, 5083, 5086, 5052, 5454 | O, H111, H112, H22, cast-hardened (CH) |
| Transport (e.g. dump trucks, fuel tanks) | 5754, 5083, 5456, 5454, 5052 | O, H111, H22, H32, H34 |
| Marine operations | 5083, 5086 | H111, H116, H321 |
| Defense | 5083 | H131 |
Systematic precision
In mechanical and plant engineering, low-warpage, dimensionally stable plates that offer optimal workability are essential. The AMAG TopPlate® product line has been developed with precisely these needs in mind, comprising precision plates based on EN AW-5754 and EN AW-5083. The product line is based on a specifically optimized casting process. Even during slab production, targeted homogenization creates a consistent structure and consistent element distribution throughout the entire cross-section. This is essential for controlled processing and unchanging mechanical properties. AMAG TopPlate® 5083C, AMAG TopPlate® 5083CM and AMAG TopPlate® 5083RM all follow a specific process route with precisely defined heat treatment and surface treatment. The aim is to produce low-warpage precision plates that maintain their dimensional stability even when subject to large-area machining. AMAG offers these plates in cast-hardened tempers such as CH and H111, either cut (Figure 1) or face-milled – using production lines designed to achieve maximum consistency and operate within strict tolerances. In automation technology, fixture construction and machine tool building, this process reliability simplifies set-up processes and minimizes the need for reworking. For users, this means lower levels of material rejects, shorter throughput cycles and a more stable manufacturing process overall.
Materials that withstand the elements
Few applications place such heavy demands on aluminium products as use in marine operations. Salt water, moisture, fluctuating temperatures and high mechanical stresses call for a material that not only demonstrates impressive corrosion resistance while also retaining its mechanical properties, even after welding. AMAG offers products based on EN AW-5083 and EN AW-5086 alloys in H116, H321 and H111 tempers, because we developed these products specifically to meet the demands of marine applications or created specialized versions and obtained corresponding certification. In such cases, the alloy itself is not the decisive factor. Instead, targeted process management is essential to suppress intercrystalline corrosion and laminating corrosion. Precise control of alloying elements and adjustment of heat treatment processes create a resistant microstructure. AMAG has secured approval from all leading classification authorities and can supply marine plates with multiple certifications (e.g. DNV, BV, LR and ABS).
| Alloy | Temper | Thickness (mm) 1 | Width (mm) | Length (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5083 | H111 | 4.0 to 8.0 | ≥ 2,000 to ≤ 2,020 | 1,000 to 10,000 |
| 5083 | H111 | 20.0 to 152.4 | ≥ 2,000 to ≤ 2,020 | 2,000 to 6,500 |
| 5083 | H116/H321 | 4.0 to 5.0 | ≥ 1,220 to ≤ 1,300 | 1,000 to 10,000 |
| 5083 | H116/H321 | 4.0 to 5.0 | ≥ 1,400 to ≤ 1,680 | 1,000 to 10,000 |
| 5083 | H116/H321 | 4.0 to 8.0 | ≥ 1,900 to ≤ 2,020 | 1,000 to 10,000 |
| 5083 | H116/H321 | 15.0 to 114.3 | ≥ 1,000 to ≤ 1,524 | 1,000 to 6,500 / 7,350 1 |
| 5083 | H116/H321 | 19.0 to 76.2 | ≥ 1,575 to ≤ 2,020 | 2,000 to 6,500 |
| 5086 | H116 | 15.0 to 114.3 | ≥ 1,000 to ≤ 1,524 | 1,000 to 6,500 / 7,350 1 |
Precision work on wheels
Whether tanker bodies, dump trucks or other utility vehicles, each segment has its own priorities. For example, AMAG offers its EN AW-5754 in a specially adapted H22 temper for fuel tanks, which require tight dimensional tolerances as well as a flawless, unvarnished surface. AMAG achieves this through a fine-tuned combination of rolling technology, cleaning processes and final inspections, always seeking to achieve excellent surface aesthetics and reliable function without the need for follow-up processing.By contrast, when it comes to dump truck construction (Figure 2), the focus is on abrasion resistance and mechanical robustness. For this application, AMAG offers AMAG TopResistant® – a material solution with increased hardness (over 105 HBW) combined with impressive formability. The rolling strategies and heat treatments used in its production are precisely attuned to meet the specific requirements and facilitate use as a bottom plate or side plate, subject to high loads and in harsh environments. Further products for transport applications, including vehicle floors, gasket plates and footsteps, are also configured to the specifications of each order. Specific rolling processes make it possible to precisely configure product width, thickness and roughness to specific requirements.
| Standard | Customer specifications in addition to EN 485 and EN 573 |
| Material | AMAG Top Resistant® |
| Temper | In general H34 |
| Thickness (mm) | 4.0 to 8.0 |
| Dimensions | Specific dimensions available upon request |
Safety through stability: Applications in pressure vessels and defense
In applications where safety is critical, material performance is always subject to stringent monitoring. While technical parameters are important, so too is compliance with standards, official approvals and documented test procedures. Pressure vessels are a prime example. Key properties include mechanical stability, resistance to sudden impacts and the stresses of pressure changes, and behavior subject to long-term dynamic forces. The European guideline AD 2000 W6/1 defines a selection of materials approved for such applications. AMAG is certified to produce the following materials in the respective tempers and conducts all prescribed material tests – from the specially augmented tensile test through to notched-bar impact-bending tests.
The tests are precisely tailored to normative requirements in the pressure vessel industry. For maximum safety and traceability, the production process is seamlessly documented in test certificates in accordance with EN 10204 Type 3.1 and 3.2 from independent classification bodies. Consequently, AMAG not only fulfills regulatory standards but also fosters trust with customers who have zero scope for material deviations in their applications.The 5083 alloy is also used for military applications, albeit in entirely different circumstances. In the H131 temper, produced in accordance with the US military specification MIL DTL 46027, it is used in modern armored vehicles, where high projectile resistance and defined energy absorption are essential. High breaking elongation, combined with specifically configured strength properties, is the result of a rolling process route specifically devised by AMAG for this application. AMAG also produces other materials for use in this area, such as 6061 alloy in T6 temper.
Once again, compliance with standards is just the basis. Targeted monitoring and adaptation throughout the entire production chain creates materials that function reliably at their upper limits.
| Standard | MIL DTL 46027 (US standard) 485 and EN 573 |
| Material | 5083 |
| Temper | H131 |
| Thickness (mm) | 12.7 – 76.2* |
| Width (mm) | 1,200 – 1,525 |
| Length (mm) | 2,000 – 6,500 |
Materials expertise with practical insights
Aluminium alloys in the 5xxx family are neither new nor exotic – which is, perhaps, why they are often underestimated. They demonstrate their true potential only when produced with a targeted focus on real-world applications and customer requests. AMAG proves that technological expertise, flexible production and systematic process controls make the difference. Ultimately, one thing is clear: simply meeting standards is not sufficient.
