Aluminum 5056 · temper
Aluminum 5056-H18
Properties of the H18 condition, compared with the other 5056 tempers.
Highest-strength standard temper; the classic choice for cable-armour wire, screening wire and high-strength rivet stock.
What is 5056-H18?
5056-H18 is 5056 in the H18 temper — highest-strength standard temper; the classic choice for cable-armour wire, screening wire and high-strength rivet stock. 5056-H18 has a yield strength of 405 MPa (58.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 88% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 5056-H18 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 568°C (1,054 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 405 MPa (58.7 ksi), better than 88% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 109 W/m·K (63 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 27 % IACS, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
5056-H18 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5056-H18 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5056 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5056-H18 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0954 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of aluminum grades. It melts at 568°C (1,054 °F).
Mechanical10
5056-H18 has a yield strength of 405 MPa (58.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 88% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
5056-H18 is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 109 W/m·K (63 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 24.1 µm/m·K (13.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5056-H18 conducts electricity at 27 % IACS, worse than 86% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5056-H18 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
5056-H18's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5056 tempers and conditions
5056 is also supplied in 11 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5056 overview.
- H18Highest-strength standard temper; the classic choice for cable-armour wire, screening wire and high-strength rivet stock.405 MPa yield · 105 HB
- H38Fully hard but stabilized against age softening — the standard high-strength condition for 5056 wire, screening and rivets.345 MPa yield · 100 HB
- H32Most commonly stocked stabilized temper: balanced strength and ductility with age-softening suppressed, suitable for marine sheet, wire and formed hardware.235 MPa yield · 78 HB
- OPick for maximum ductility in deep drawing, heading of rivet wire or severe bending before a final work-hardening step.152 MPa yield · 65 HB
Working with 5056-H18
Is 5056 easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge in O temper; use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed and flood emulsion — hard tempers (H18/H38) chip much more cleanly.
Can 5056 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with ER5356 or ER5183 filler; avoid 4xxx Si fillers (brittle Mg2Si) and keep interpass temperature low to limit sensitization.
Can 5056 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H111 with high work-hardening rate; hard tempers need generous bend radii, and forming above ~60 °C should be avoided to prevent β-phase precipitation.
What surface finishes work on 5056?
Takes bright, clear and hard anodizing very well and chemically brightens for decorative trim; mechanically polishes to a good luster but is not suited to brazing or hot-dip coating.
5056 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | — |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mn | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Mgprimary strengthening element | 4.5 – 5.6 | 5 |
| Cr | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
5056-H18 — frequently asked
What is 5056-H18 used for?
5056-H18 is typically used for zippers, nails and rivets. In short: highest strength 5-series.
What is the yield strength of 5056-H18?
5056-H18 has a typical yield strength of 405 MPa (58.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 88% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 5056-H18 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge in O temper; use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed and flood emulsion — hard tempers (H18/H38) chip much more cleanly.
Can 5056-H18 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with ER5356 or ER5183 filler; avoid 4xxx Si fillers (brittle Mg2Si) and keep interpass temperature low to limit sensitization.
What surface finishes work on 5056-H18?
Takes bright, clear and hard anodizing very well and chemically brightens for decorative trim; mechanically polishes to a good luster but is not suited to brazing or hot-dip coating.
Can 5056-H18 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H111 with high work-hardening rate; hard tempers need generous bend radii, and forming above ~60 °C should be avoided to prevent β-phase precipitation.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5056-H18?
5056-H18 is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5056-H18?
Yes — 5056-H18 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B211 / B221 — Aluminum-Alloy Bar, Rod, Wire and Extruded Products — ASTM International (2019)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys, chemical composition and wrought product properties — CEN (2019)
- Aluminum 5056 alloy property records (O, H18, H38, H192) — MatWeb / ASM Alloy Center (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.