Aluminium alloy 5056 5056

Al-Mg-Mn-Cr alloy, AA 5056 (UNS A₉₅₀₅₆): Mg 4.5 to 5.6, Mn 0.05 to 0.2, Cr 0.05 to 0.2, Cu max 0.10, Fe max 0.4, Si max 0.3, Zn max 0.10, other each max 0.05 and total max 0.15 wt%, Al balance

Also known as UNS A95056, GOST AMg5, AA 5056, ASTM B211, ASTM B316, ISO AlMg5Cr

5056 (UNS A95056, AA 5056, also sold as 5056A in its EWAA form, which this profile does not cover) is a non-heat-treatable wrought aluminium alloy whose main alloying element is magnesium, at about 4.5 to 5.6 wt%, with small manganese and chromium additions.

6 sources · Updated 2026-10-26 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

Strength

300 MPa, H111

Form

20 % elongation, O temper

Weight

2.64 g/cm3

Heat

109 to 117 W/(m·K)

Salt water

Excellent corrosion resistance (supplier)

Recipe, share of the weight

Al not statedAluminium
Mg not statedMagnesium
Mn not statedManganese
Cr not statedChromium
Si, Fe, Cu, Zn not statedSilicon, iron, copper and zinc

Best for

Cold-formed wire, rivet and bolt stock, and hinge pins that must resist corrosion in salt water (supplier statement)

Weakest at

Strength depends strongly on temper: the O temper tops out at 46 ksi tensile, against 50 ksi minimum for H34, and no yield strength for 5056 was found in the sources read

Risk at a glance

People Low. Dust and fume warnings
If it fails Moderate. Soft temper chosen where strength is needed
Corrosion Low. The supplier says 5056 has excellent corrosion resistance and can be used in salt water where other metals would corrode.

Quick facts: 5056

Key properties of 5056
Property	Value	Basis
Density	2.64 g/cm³	1 sourced value
Tensile strength	289 to 416 MPa	7 sourced values across conditions
Young's modulus	69 to 79 GPa	2 sourced values across conditions
Thermal conductivity	109 to 117 W/(m·K)	2 sourced values across conditions
Thermal expansion (CTE)	24.1 ppm/K	1 sourced value
Melting point	565 to 640 °C	1 sourced value
Electrical resistivity	5.9e-8 to 6.2e-8 Ω·m	2 sourced values across conditions

What is the density of Aluminium alloy 5056?

Aluminium alloy 5056 has a density of 2.64 g/cm³. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the thermal conductivity of Aluminium alloy 5056?

Aluminium alloy 5056 has a thermal conductivity of 109 to 117 W/(m·K). The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Aluminium alloy 5056?

Aluminium alloy 5056 has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 24.1 ppm/K. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the melting point of Aluminium alloy 5056?

Aluminium alloy 5056 has a melting point of 565 to 640 °C. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.

What is the tensile strength of Aluminium alloy 5056?

Aluminium alloy 5056 has a tensile strength of 289 to 416 MPa. The range covers 7 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What are the other names and codes for Aluminium alloy 5056?

Aluminium alloy 5056 is also written as UNS A95056, GOST AMg5, AA 5056, ASTM B211, ASTM B316, ISO AlMg5Cr. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.

What is Aluminium alloy 5056 used for?

Uses recorded in the sources include Hinge pins and cold-formed wire forms; Rivet stock, bolt and screw stock.

Why it exists

5056 is a magnesium-strengthened aluminium alloy for cold-formed parts. Its supplier data give high strength for its weight in the H111 temper (300 MPa tensile, density 2.64 g/cm3), and the AircraftMaterials page describes the alloy as having high strength and excellent formability. It is used for cold-headed parts, wire forms and hinge pins, and it is stocked as rivet, bolt and screw stock. The supplier also says it resists salt water, which is the reason it is named for marine and wet service in the sources read.

Where it's used

Cold-headed parts, wire forms and hinge pins

AircraftMaterials says the alloy is used extensively in cold heading applications as well as wire forms and hinge pins.

Rivet, bolt and screw stock

The same supplier lists 5056 as available in bolt and screw stock, rivet stock and wire. The page does not describe a flown application.

Recipe

5056 is a wrought, non-heat-treatable aluminium-magnesium alloy. Magnesium is the main alloying element and gives the alloy its strength (AircraftMaterials). Manganese and chromium are added in small amounts. TotalMateria gives an annealing treatment for the O temper, with the cooling rate stated as unimportant. The composition below is the standard range, not a measured value.

What 5056 is made of
Ingredient	Share of the weight	What it does
Aluminium Al	not stated	The matrix of the alloy. Balance of the composition.
Magnesium Mg	not stated	The main alloying element. It gives the alloy its high strength without heat treatment, according to AircraftMaterials.
Manganese Mn	not stated	Minor addition printed in the US limits row.
Chromium Cr	not stated	Minor addition printed in the US limits row. Together with manganese it is limited to a small total.
Silicon, iron, copper and zinc Si, Fe, Cu, Zn	not stated	Impurity limits, not added on purpose.

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Strength

300 MPa, H111

measured

The Mfgrobots page gives a tensile strength of 300 MPa for H111. The AircraftMaterials table gives 44 ksi minimum for H111 wire and rod under 0.374 in diameter.

Form

20 % elongation, O temper

measured

In the O temper, AircraftMaterials gives 20 % elongation in 2 in for cold-finished wire and rod.

Weight

2.64 g/cm3

measured

A supplier page labelled 5056 H111 gives a density of 2.64 g/cm3.

Heat

109 to 117 W/(m·K)

measured

The Mfgrobots page gives 109 to 117 W/(m·K) for H111. The TotalMateria preview gives 108.784 to 117.152 W/(m·°C), with the temper not stated.

Salt water

Excellent corrosion resistance (supplier)

AircraftMaterials says the alloy has excellent corrosion resistance and can be used in salt water where other metals would corrode. No test data were found.

How it compares

Among the aluminium grades in this collection, 5056 is a non-heat-treatable Al-Mg alloy. Its strength comes from magnesium and cold work, not from solution treatment and ageing, so its strength depends on temper rather than on heat treatment. The sources here give density, stiffness and thermal figures for 5056 alone, and they do not compare it numerically with other grades.

The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.

Benchmarks
Measurement	5056	6061	7075-T6	2024	5052	5XXX	2195 (Al-Cu-Li)	Al	1050	2011	2014	2017	2017A	2219	2319	2618A	3003	3103	4047	5019	5083	AlMg2	AlMg3	6013	6063	6082	6101	AA7050	AA8011	Au-Al IMCs	Al master alloys
Thermal behavior and safety
Melting range, 5056 H111	565 to 640 °C⁴	no data	532 °C	no data	607.2 to 649 °C	no data	1020 degF	660 °C	645 to 657 °C	540 °C	535 °C	510 °C	510 °C	543 °C	543 to 643 °C	549 °C	655 °C	655 °C	1068 to 1080 °F	575 to 630 °C	570 °C	605 to 650 °C	590 to 645 °C	579 °C	600 °C	575 °C	1090 °F	490 °C	640 to 655 °C	no data	880 °C
Thermal conductivity, 5056 H111	109 to 117 W/(m·K)⁵	167 W/(m·K)	130 W/m·K	121 W/m-K	138 W/m-K	138 W/(m·K)	no data	220 W/(m·K)	229 W/m.K	140 W/m.K	138 W/(m·K)	140 W/m.K	140 W/m.K	130 W.m/m2.°C	no data	147 W/m.K	190 W/m.K	160 W/m.K	no data	110 to 140 W/(m·K)	121 W/(m·K)	138 W/(m·K)	140 to 160 W/(m·K)	164 W/(m·K)	200 W/(m·K)	180 W/(m·K)	no data	154 W/(m·K)	210 to 220 W/(m·K)	no data	no data
Thermal conductivity, 5056 (range, temper not stated)	108.8 to 117.2 W/(m·°C)⁶	167 W/(m·K)	130 W/m·K	121 W/m-K	138 W/m-K	138 W/(m·K)	no data	220 W/(m·K)	229 W/m.K	140 W/m.K	138 W/(m·K)	140 W/m.K	140 W/m.K	130 W.m/m2.°C	no data	147 W/m.K	190 W/m.K	160 W/m.K	no data	110 to 140 W/(m·K)	121 W/(m·K)	138 W/(m·K)	140 to 160 W/(m·K)	164 W/(m·K)	200 W/(m·K)	180 W/(m·K)	no data	154 W/(m·K)	210 to 220 W/(m·K)	no data	no data
Physical and electrical
Density, 5056 H111	2.64 g/cm³¹	2.7 g/cm³	2.8 Mg/m3	2.78 g/cc	2.68 g/cc	2.68 g/cm³	0.096 lb/in3	2.7 g/cm³	2.71 g/cm³	2.82 g/cm³	2.82 g/cm³	2.79 g/cm³	2.79 g/cm³	2.84 g/cm³	2.84 g/cm³	2.76 g/cm³	2.73 g/cm³	2.73 g/cm³	2.65 g/cm³	2.64 g/cm³	2.65 g/cm³	2.69 g/cm³	2.67 g/cm³	2.71 g/cm³	2700 kg/m3	2.7 g/cm³	0.097 lb/cu.in	2.83 g/cm³	2.71 g/cm³	no data	no data
Electrical resistivity, 5056 H111 (range)	5.88×10^-8 to 6.25×10^-8 Ω·m⁸	4 µΩ·cm	5.2 µΩ·cm	5.82 µΩ·cm	no data	5.8 µΩ·cm	no data	2.646 µΩ·cm	no data	no data	0.045 µΩ·m	no data	no data	5.7 μΩ.cm²/cm	no data	no data	no data	no data	no data	0.0526 to 0.0667 Ω·mm²/m	0.058 µΩ·m	50 nΩ·m	no data	no data	0.35 µΩ·m	0.038 µΩ·m	no data	no data	2.86×10^-8 to 2.94×10^-8 Ω·m	no data	no data
Electrical resistivity, 5056 (range, temper not stated)	0.059 to 0.062 Ω·mm²/m⁹	4 µΩ·cm	5.2 µΩ·cm	5.82 µΩ·cm	no data	5.8 µΩ·cm	no data	2.646 µΩ·cm	no data	no data	0.045 µΩ·m	no data	no data	5.7 μΩ.cm²/cm	no data	no data	no data	no data	no data	0.0526 to 0.0667 Ω·mm²/m	0.058 µΩ·m	50 nΩ·m	no data	no data	0.35 µΩ·m	0.038 µΩ·m	no data	no data	2.86×10^-8 to 2.94×10^-8 Ω·m	no data	no data
Other measurements
Elastic modulus, 5056 H111	71 GPa²	68.9 GPa	71 GPa	73.1 GPa	70.3 GPa	70.3 GPa	11 MSI	69 GPa	69000 MPa	70 GPa	71 GPa	72 GPa	72 GPa	73.8 x10^3 N/mm2	no data	71 GPa	69.5 GPa	69.5 GPa	no data	70 GPa	72 GPa	70 GPa	70 GPa	71 GPa	69.5 GPa	70 GPa	no data	71.5 GPa	70 GPa	no data	no data
Modulus of elasticity, 5056 (range, temper not stated)	69 to 79 GPa³	68.9 GPa	71 GPa	73.1 GPa	70.3 GPa	70.3 GPa	11 MSI	69 GPa	69000 MPa	70 GPa	71 GPa	72 GPa	72 GPa	73.8 x10^3 N/mm2	no data	71 GPa	69.5 GPa	69.5 GPa	no data	70 GPa	72 GPa	70 GPa	70 GPa	71 GPa	69.5 GPa	70 GPa	no data	71.5 GPa	70 GPa	no data	no data
Coefficient of thermal expansion, 5056 H111 at 20 degC	2.41×10^-5 1/K⁷	23.6 ppm/K	23.4 µm/m·K	23.2 ppm/K	24.8 µm/m-°C	24 ppm/K	no data	22.5 ppm/K	23.5 x10-6/K	21.4 µm/m.°C	23 ppm/K	22.9 µm/(m·°C)	22.9 µm/m.°C	22.5 x10^-6 m/m.°C	no data	21.6 µm/m°C	23.1 ppm/K	23.1 x10-6/K	no data	no data	25 ppm/K	23.8 µm/m/°C	23.9 ppm/K	21.7 µm/m°C	23.5 ppm/K	23.1 ppm/K	no data	23.5 ppm/K	2.35×10^-5 1/K	no data	no data
Tensile strength, 5056 H111	300 MPa¹⁰	310 MPa	572 MPa	469 MPa	28 ksi	228 MPa	80 ksi	88 MPa	105 to 145 MPa	300 MPa	> 460 MPa	427 MPa	427 MPa	> 62 ksi	160 MPa	420 MPa	110 MPa	> 140 MPa	124 MPa	270 to 350 MPa	275 to 350 MPa	190 to 230 MPa	190 to 260 MPa	410 MPa	27 ksi	> 300 MPa	32000 psi	> 483 MPa	180 to 195 MPa	no data	no data
Tensile strength, 5056 (range, temper not stated)	288.9 to 415.6 MPa¹¹	310 MPa	572 MPa	469 MPa	28 ksi	228 MPa	80 ksi	88 MPa	105 to 145 MPa	300 MPa	> 460 MPa	427 MPa	427 MPa	> 62 ksi	160 MPa	420 MPa	110 MPa	> 140 MPa	124 MPa	270 to 350 MPa	275 to 350 MPa	190 to 230 MPa	190 to 260 MPa	410 MPa	27 ksi	> 300 MPa	32000 psi	> 483 MPa	180 to 195 MPa	no data	no data
Tensile strength, 5056 H12 bar, rod and wire	315 MPa¹²	310 MPa	572 MPa	469 MPa	28 ksi	228 MPa	80 ksi	88 MPa	105 to 145 MPa	300 MPa	> 460 MPa	427 MPa	427 MPa	> 62 ksi	160 MPa	420 MPa	110 MPa	> 140 MPa	124 MPa	270 to 350 MPa	275 to 350 MPa	190 to 230 MPa	190 to 260 MPa	410 MPa	27 ksi	> 300 MPa	32000 psi	> 483 MPa	180 to 195 MPa	no data	no data
Tensile strength, 5056 O, cold-finished wire and rod, maximum	< 46 ksi¹³	310 MPa	572 MPa	469 MPa	28 ksi	228 MPa	80 ksi	88 MPa	105 to 145 MPa	300 MPa	> 460 MPa	427 MPa	427 MPa	> 62 ksi	160 MPa	420 MPa	110 MPa	> 140 MPa	124 MPa	270 to 350 MPa	275 to 350 MPa	190 to 230 MPa	190 to 260 MPa	410 MPa	27 ksi	> 300 MPa	32000 psi	> 483 MPa	180 to 195 MPa	no data	no data
Elongation, 5056 O, cold-finished wire and rod	20 %¹⁴	17 %	11 %	19 %	25 %	12 %	8 %	50 to 65 %	4 to 8 %	16 %	> 6 %	18 %	18 %	> 6 %	12 %	> 5 %	25 %	> 8 %	12 %	> 2 %	> 12 %	4 to 12 %	> 12 %	4 %	8 %	> 9 %	> 8 %	> 7 %	> 1 %	no data	no data
Minimum tensile strength, 5056 H111, cold-finished wire and rod under 0.374 in	> 44 ksi¹⁵	310 MPa	572 MPa	469 MPa	28 ksi	228 MPa	80 ksi	88 MPa	105 to 145 MPa	300 MPa	> 460 MPa	427 MPa	427 MPa	> 62 ksi	160 MPa	420 MPa	110 MPa	> 140 MPa	124 MPa	270 to 350 MPa	275 to 350 MPa	190 to 230 MPa	190 to 260 MPa	410 MPa	27 ksi	> 300 MPa	32000 psi	> 483 MPa	180 to 195 MPa	no data	no data
Minimum tensile strength, 5056 H32, cold-finished wire and rod under 0.374 in	> 44 ksi¹⁶	310 MPa	572 MPa	469 MPa	28 ksi	228 MPa	80 ksi	88 MPa	105 to 145 MPa	300 MPa	> 460 MPa	427 MPa	427 MPa	> 62 ksi	160 MPa	420 MPa	110 MPa	> 140 MPa	124 MPa	270 to 350 MPa	275 to 350 MPa	190 to 230 MPa	190 to 260 MPa	410 MPa	27 ksi	> 300 MPa	32000 psi	> 483 MPa	180 to 195 MPa	no data	no data
Minimum tensile strength, 5056 H34, cold-finished wire and rod under 0.374 in	> 50 ksi¹⁷	310 MPa	572 MPa	469 MPa	28 ksi	228 MPa	80 ksi	88 MPa	105 to 145 MPa	300 MPa	> 460 MPa	427 MPa	427 MPa	> 62 ksi	160 MPa	420 MPa	110 MPa	> 140 MPa	124 MPa	270 to 350 MPa	275 to 350 MPa	190 to 230 MPa	190 to 260 MPa	410 MPa	27 ksi	> 300 MPa	32000 psi	> 483 MPa	180 to 195 MPa	no data	no data

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

Cold-formed wire, rivets and fasteners that must resist corrosion in salt water, according to the supplier.
Hinge pins and wire forms, which the supplier names as typical uses.

Watch out for

Strength depends strongly on temper: the O temper is 46 ksi maximum, against 50 ksi minimum for H34.
No yield strength for 5056 was found in the sources read, so the strength figures here are tensile values only.
No corrosion test data were found. The corrosion statement is a supplier statement.
No flight or spacecraft use of 5056 was found in the sources read.

5056 is a corrosion-resistant, non-heat-treatable aluminium-magnesium alloy for cold-formed wire, rivets and fasteners. Its strength depends on temper, and the sources read here give no yield strength or flight record for the grade.

Technical details

For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.

Other names and standards

The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.

Other names and standards
System	Codes
UNS	A95056
GOST	AMg5
AA	5056
ASTM	B211, B316
ISO	AlMg5Cr

Notes

The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.

Notes for the numbered rows
#	Measurement	Method	Conditions	Caveat
1	Density, 5056 H111	Value printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)	temper H111form not statedtemperature not stated	—
2	Elastic modulus, 5056 H111	Value printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)	temper H111temperature not stated	—
3	Modulus of elasticity, 5056 (range, temper not stated)	Range printed in the physical properties table of the TotalMateria page	temper not statedtemperature 0 to 30 °C column (as printed)	—
4	Melting range, 5056 H111	Range printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)	temper H111form not stated	—
5	Thermal conductivity, 5056 H111	Range printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)	temper H111temperature not stated	—
6	Thermal conductivity, 5056 (range, temper not stated)	Range printed in the physical properties table of the TotalMateria page	temper not statedtemperature not stated	—
7	Coefficient of thermal expansion, 5056 H111 at 20 degC	Value printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)	temper H111temperature 20 °C	—
8	Electrical resistivity, 5056 H111 (range)	Range printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)	temper H111temperature not stated	—
9	Electrical resistivity, 5056 (range, temper not stated)	Range printed in the physical properties table of the TotalMateria page	temper not statedtemperature not stated	—
10	Tensile strength, 5056 H111	Value printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)	temper H111form not stated	—
11	Tensile strength, 5056 (range, temper not stated)	Range printed in the mechanical properties table of the TotalMateria page	temper not stated (page does not tie the values to a temper)temperature 0 to 30 °C column (as printed)	—
12	Tensile strength, 5056 H12 bar, rod and wire	Value printed on a supplier page for ASTM B211 grade 5056 H12	temper H12form bar, rod and wire	—
13	Tensile strength, 5056 O, cold-finished wire and rod, maximum	Maximum value printed in the typical mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials page	temper Oform cold-finished wire and rod, all diametersunit in source 46 ksi max	—
14	Elongation, 5056 O, cold-finished wire and rod	Value printed in the typical mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials page	temper Oform cold-finished wire and rod, all diametersgauge length 2 in	—
15	Minimum tensile strength, 5056 H111, cold-finished wire and rod under 0.374 in	Minimum value printed in the typical mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials page	temper H111form cold-finished wire and roddiameter under 0.374 inunit in source 44 ksi	—
16	Minimum tensile strength, 5056 H32, cold-finished wire and rod under 0.374 in	Minimum value printed in the typical mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials page	temper H32form cold-finished wire and roddiameter under 0.374 inunit in source 44 ksi	—
17	Minimum tensile strength, 5056 H34, cold-finished wire and rod under 0.374 in	Minimum value printed in the typical mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials page	temper H34form cold-finished wire and roddiameter under 0.374 inunit in source 50 ksi	—

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
Environment	Concern	What happens
Salt water and marine atmospheres (supplier statement, no test conditions)	low	The supplier says 5056 has excellent corrosion resistance and can be used in salt water where other metals would corrode.¹

Corrosion details
#	Environment	Details	Test conditions
1	Salt water and marine atmospheres (supplier statement, no test conditions)	AircraftMaterials states that the alloy has excellent corrosion resistance and can be used in atmospheres such as salt water where corrosion would normally be a problem with other metals. No test environment, exposure time or corrosion rate is given.	basis qualitative supplier statementtest none stated

Risks and side effects

Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.

For people

The Hydro safety data sheet for the 5xxx series gives dust, fume and classification warnings for processing. No health data for the 5056 grade alone were found.

Machining dust: Metallic dusts may ignite or explode, and dusts and fumes from machining or welding can cause metal fume fever (Hydro SDS, 5xxx series).
Sensitisation and cancer: The same sheet classifies the product as a skin sensitiser (H317) and as suspected of causing cancer by inhalation (H351). These are series-level classes.
Environment: Small chips, fine turnings and processing dust may be toxic to aquatic life, according to the same sheet.

If it fails

The failure routes found in the sources are a soft temper used where strength is needed, and dust fire during machining.

Temper: The O temper is 46 ksi tensile maximum, while H34 is 50 ksi minimum in the same table. Choose the temper for the load.
Dust: Hydro says fine, damp dust can ignite by spontaneous combustion, and that improper machining can make it ignite more easily.

Handling and storage

Keep it dry: Hydro says not to allow water or moist air to contact the material, and to store it in a dry, protected place.
Dust control: Keep machining dust and fines under control, and avoid breathing dust or fume, following the Hydro SDS.

Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.

Failure risks

Failure risks
Failure	Trigger and consequence
Soft temper chosen where strength is neededmoderate severity	Specifying the O temper for cold-finished wire or rodIn the AircraftMaterials typical table the O temper is 46 ksi tensile maximum, against a 50 ksi minimum for H34 in the same table. The soft temper gives the lowest strength of the tempers listed.
Dust or chip fire during machininglow severity	Finely divided and damp chips or ribbons from improper machiningHydro says dust, chips or ribbons can be ignited more easily by an ignition source, by improper machining, or by spontaneous combustion if finely divided and damp.

Handling and storage

Keep dust and fines under control. Hydro says product dust is combustible, to use care during processing to minimize dust, and to avoid breathing dust or fume.
Keep the material dry. Hydro says not to allow water or moist air to contact the material, and to store it in a dry, protected location.
Specify the temper and product form before comparing values. The tensile minimums in the AircraftMaterials table run from 44 to 50 ksi by temper, and the O temper is a 46 ksi maximum.

Supply and geography

How common the raw materials are and where they come from.

Primary aluminium smelter production, 2025 estimate (world)

Top producers (2025): China 60.8%, India 5.7%, Russia 5.3%, Canada 4.5%, United Arab Emirates 3.6%
Recycling: USGS: in 2025 about 3.6 million tons of aluminum were recovered from purchased scrap in the United States, about 56 % from new scrap and 44 % from old scrap. Old-scrap recovery was equivalent to about 28 % of apparent consumption.
Substitutes: USGS: composites can substitute for aluminum in aircraft fuselages and wings. Copper can replace aluminum in electrical and heat-exchange applications.

Documents

Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.

Documents
Document	Type	Year
Total Materia: AA 5056 Aluminium Alloys (preview page, last updated 2021-01)	database	2021
AircraftMaterials: Aluminium Alloy 5056 / 5056A	datasheet
Mfgrobots: AA Standards Grade 5056 H111, key mechanical properties and specifications	datasheet
Mfgrobots: ASTM B211 Grade 5056 H12 high strength 5000 series aluminum alloy	datasheet
Hydro Extrusion USA: Safety Data Sheet, Wrought Aluminum Products, 5xxx Series Alloys (revised 08/14/2018)	sds	2018
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Aluminum	report	2026

Full record

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spore: profile
id: aluminium-5056
spore_version: 0.2
family: aluminium-alloys
name: Aluminium alloy 5056
abbreviation: '5056'
role: non-heat-treatable wrought Al-Mg alloy for cold-formed wire, rivets and fasteners
category: metals
type: aluminium
summary: |
  5056 (UNS A95056, AA 5056, also sold as 5056A in its EWAA form, which this profile does not cover) is a non-heat-treatable wrought aluminium alloy whose main alloying element is magnesium, at about 4.5 to 5.6 wt%, with small manganese and chromium additions. Magnesium gives it its strength (AircraftMaterials). The supplier data read here give a density of 2.64 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 300 MPa and a modulus of 71.0 GPa for the H111 temper, with a thermal conductivity of 109 to 117 W/(m.K). The O (annealed) temper is rated at 46 ksi maximum tensile strength with 20 % elongation for cold-finished wire and rod. The supplier says the alloy has excellent corrosion resistance and can be used in salt water. No flight record for 5056 was found in the sources read.
best_for: Cold-formed wire, rivet and bolt stock, and hinge pins that must resist corrosion in salt water (supplier statement)
weakest_at: 'Strength depends strongly on temper: the O temper tops out at 46 ksi tensile, against 50 ksi minimum for H34, and no yield strength for 5056 was found in the sources read'
identity:
  formula: 'Al-Mg-Mn-Cr alloy, AA 5056 (UNS A95056): Mg 4.5 to 5.6, Mn 0.05 to 0.2, Cr 0.05 to 0.2, Cu max 0.10, Fe max 0.4, Si max 0.3, Zn max 0.10, other each max 0.05 and total max 0.15 wt%, Al balance'
  cas: ''
  source: aircraftmaterials-5056
  where: Chemical composition limits table, row Alloy 5056 USA. Mn and Cr ranges and the UNS number also printed in the TotalMateria and Mfgrobots pages
  designations:
    - system: UNS
      code: A95056
      source: totalmateria-5056
      where: International equivalents table, row A95056, system UNS
    - system: AA
      code: '5056'
      source: aircraftmaterials-5056
      where: Chemical composition limits table, row Alloy 5056 USA
    - system: ASTM
      code: B211
      note: Listed for 5056 with B 211 5056; product form not stated in this row
      source: totalmateria-5056
      where: International equivalents table, row B 211 5056, system ASTM
    - system: ASTM
      code: B316
      source: totalmateria-5056
      where: International equivalents table, row B 316 5056, system ASTM
    - system: ISO
      code: AlMg5Cr
      source: totalmateria-5056
      where: International equivalents table, row AlMg5Cr, system ISO, status Official
    - system: GOST
      code: AMg5
      source: totalmateria-5056
      where: International equivalents table, row AMg5, system GOST, status Official
tags:
  environments: []
  stresses: []
  applications:
    - structures
    - mechanisms
properties:
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, 5056 H111
    value: 2.64
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: H111
      form: not stated
      temperature: not stated
    method: Value printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)
    status: ground
    source: mfgrobots-5056-h111
    where: Physical properties table, row Density, condition H111
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Elastic modulus, 5056 H111
    value: 71
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: H111
      temperature: not stated
    method: Value printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)
    status: ground
    source: mfgrobots-5056-h111
    where: Physical properties table, row Elastic modulus, condition H111
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Modulus of elasticity, 5056 (range, temper not stated)
    value: 69
    value_high: 79
    bound: range
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: not stated
      temperature: 0 to 30 degC column (as printed)
    method: Range printed in the physical properties table of the TotalMateria page
    status: ground
    source: totalmateria-5056
    where: Physical properties section, row Modulus of Elasticity
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting range, 5056 H111
    value: 565
    value_high: 640
    bound: range
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: H111
      form: not stated
    method: Range printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)
    status: ground
    source: mfgrobots-5056-h111
    where: Physical properties table, row Melting point, condition H111
  - benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    label: Thermal conductivity, 5056 H111
    value: 109
    value_high: 117
    bound: range
    unit: W/(m·K)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: H111
      temperature: not stated
    method: Range printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)
    status: ground
    source: mfgrobots-5056-h111
    where: Physical properties table, row Thermal conductivity, condition H111
  - benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    label: Thermal conductivity, 5056 (range, temper not stated)
    value: 108.784
    value_high: 117.152
    bound: range
    unit: W/(m·°C)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: not stated
      temperature: not stated
    method: Range printed in the physical properties table of the TotalMateria page
    status: ground
    source: totalmateria-5056
    where: Physical properties section, row Thermal Conductivity
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Coefficient of thermal expansion, 5056 H111 at 20 degC
    value: 0.0000241
    unit: 1/K
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: H111
      temperature: 20 °C
    method: Value printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)
    status: ground
    source: mfgrobots-5056-h111
    where: Physical properties table, row Coefficient of thermal expansion at 20 °C, condition H111
  - benchmark: electrical_resistivity
    label: Electrical resistivity, 5056 H111 (range)
    value: 5.88e-8
    value_high: 6.25e-8
    bound: range
    unit: Ω·m
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: H111
      temperature: not stated
    method: Range printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)
    status: ground
    source: mfgrobots-5056-h111
    where: Electrical properties table, row Electrical resistivity, condition H111
  - benchmark: electrical_resistivity
    label: Electrical resistivity, 5056 (range, temper not stated)
    value: 0.059
    value_high: 0.062
    bound: range
    unit: Ω·mm²/m
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: not stated
      temperature: not stated
    method: Range printed in the physical properties table of the TotalMateria page
    status: ground
    source: totalmateria-5056
    where: Physical properties section, row Electrical Resistivity
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, 5056 H111
    value: 300
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: H111
      form: not stated
    method: Value printed on a supplier page labelled 5056 H111 (AA Standards, ASTM B211)
    status: ground
    source: mfgrobots-5056-h111
    where: Mechanical properties table, row Tensile strength, condition H111
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, 5056 (range, temper not stated)
    value: 288.9
    value_high: 415.6
    bound: range
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: not stated (page does not tie the values to a temper)
      temperature: 0 to 30 degC column (as printed)
    method: Range printed in the mechanical properties table of the TotalMateria page
    status: ground
    source: totalmateria-5056
    where: Mechanical properties section, row Tensile Strength
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, 5056 H12 bar, rod and wire
    value: 315
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: H12
      form: bar, rod and wire
    method: Value printed on a supplier page for ASTM B211 grade 5056 H12
    status: ground
    source: mfgrobots-5056-h12
    where: Mechanical properties table, row Tensile strength, condition H12, shape Bar, Rod, Wire
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, 5056 O, cold-finished wire and rod, maximum
    value: 46
    bound: upper
    unit: ksi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: O
      form: cold-finished wire and rod, all diameters
      unit_in_source: 46 ksi max
    method: Maximum value printed in the typical mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials page
    status: ground
    source: aircraftmaterials-5056
    where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, row 5056 Rolled, Cold finish wire/rod, temper 0, column Tensile Strength (ksi) min
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Elongation, 5056 O, cold-finished wire and rod
    value: 20
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: O
      form: cold-finished wire and rod, all diameters
      gauge_length: 2 in
    method: Value printed in the typical mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials page
    status: ground
    source: aircraftmaterials-5056
    where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, row 5056 Rolled, Cold finish wire/rod, temper 0, column Elongation % in 2
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Minimum tensile strength, 5056 H111, cold-finished wire and rod under 0.374 in
    value: 44
    bound: lower
    unit: ksi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: H111
      form: cold-finished wire and rod
      diameter: under 0.374 in
      unit_in_source: 44 ksi
    method: Minimum value printed in the typical mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials page
    status: ground
    source: aircraftmaterials-5056
    where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, row 5056 Rolled, Cold finish wire/rod, temper H111, column Tensile Strength (ksi) min
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Minimum tensile strength, 5056 H32, cold-finished wire and rod under 0.374 in
    value: 44
    bound: lower
    unit: ksi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: H32
      form: cold-finished wire and rod
      diameter: under 0.374 in
      unit_in_source: 44 ksi
    method: Minimum value printed in the typical mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials page
    status: ground
    source: aircraftmaterials-5056
    where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, row 5056 Rolled, Cold finish wire/rod, temper H32, column Tensile Strength (ksi) min
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Minimum tensile strength, 5056 H34, cold-finished wire and rod under 0.374 in
    value: 50
    bound: lower
    unit: ksi
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: H34
      form: cold-finished wire and rod
      diameter: under 0.374 in
      unit_in_source: 50 ksi
    method: Minimum value printed in the typical mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials page
    status: ground
    source: aircraftmaterials-5056
    where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, row 5056 Rolled, Cold finish wire/rod, temper H34, column Tensile Strength (ksi) min
corrosion:
  - environment: Salt water and marine atmospheres (supplier statement, no test conditions)
    headline: The supplier says 5056 has excellent corrosion resistance and can be used in salt water where other metals would corrode.
    effect: AircraftMaterials states that the alloy has excellent corrosion resistance and can be used in atmospheres such as salt water where corrosion would normally be a problem with other metals. No test environment, exposure time or corrosion rate is given.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      basis: qualitative supplier statement
      test: none stated
    source: aircraftmaterials-5056
    where: Introduction text, sentence on corrosion resistance
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: Hydro's safety data sheet for 5xxx series wrought products (revision 08/14/2018) classifies the product as Skin Sens. 1 (H317) and Carc. 2 (H351, by inhalation). This is a series-level mixture classification, not one for the 5056 grade alone.
      ghs:
        - H317
        - H351
      source: hydro-5xxx-sds
      where: Section 2.1 classification and Section 2.2 hazard statements
    - text: The same sheet says that inhaling dusts and fumes can cause metal fume fever, and that small chips, fine turnings and dust from processing may be toxic to aquatic life.
      ghs: []
      source: hydro-5xxx-sds
      where: Section 2.3 other hazards
    - text: Hydro says that metallic dusts may ignite or explode, and that the product is not explosive as a bulk material.
      ghs: []
      source: hydro-5xxx-sds
      where: Section 2.3 other hazards; Section 5.2 explosion hazard
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Soft temper chosen where strength is needed
      trigger: Specifying the O temper for cold-finished wire or rod
      consequence: In the AircraftMaterials typical table the O temper is 46 ksi tensile maximum, against a 50 ksi minimum for H34 in the same table. The soft temper gives the lowest strength of the tempers listed.
      severity: moderate
      source: aircraftmaterials-5056
      where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, rows 0, H111, H32 and H34
    - mode: Dust or chip fire during machining
      trigger: Finely divided and damp chips or ribbons from improper machining
      consequence: Hydro says dust, chips or ribbons can be ignited more easily by an ignition source, by improper machining, or by spontaneous combustion if finely divided and damp.
      severity: low
      source: hydro-5xxx-sds
      where: Section 5.2, Fire Hazard
  side_effects: []
  handling:
    - text: Keep dust and fines under control. Hydro says product dust is combustible, to use care during processing to minimize dust, and to avoid breathing dust or fume.
      source: hydro-5xxx-sds
      where: Section 7.1 additional hazards when processed; precautionary statement P261
    - text: Keep the material dry. Hydro says not to allow water or moist air to contact the material, and to store it in a dry, protected location.
      source: hydro-5xxx-sds
      where: Section 7.1 and Section 7.2 storage conditions
    - text: Specify the temper and product form before comparing values. The tensile minimums in the AircraftMaterials table run from 44 to 50 ksi by temper, and the O temper is a 46 ksi maximum.
      source: aircraftmaterials-5056
      where: Typical Mechanical Properties table
  mitigations: []
uses:
  - application: mechanisms
    device: Hinge pins and cold-formed wire forms
    example: AircraftMaterials says the alloy is used extensively in cold heading applications as well as wire forms and hinge pins, because of its high strength and excellent formability.
    source: aircraftmaterials-5056
    where: Technical data sheet introduction
  - application: structures
    device: Rivet stock, bolt and screw stock
    example: AircraftMaterials lists 5056 as available in Bolt and Screw Stock, Rivet Stock and Wire. The page does not describe a flown application.
    source: aircraftmaterials-5056
    where: Availability section
supply:
  - subject: Primary aluminium smelter production, 2025 estimate (world)
    producers:
      - country: China
        share_percent: 60.8
        year: 2025
      - country: India
        share_percent: 5.7
        year: 2025
      - country: Russia
        share_percent: 5.3
        year: 2025
      - country: Canada
        share_percent: 4.5
        year: 2025
      - country: United Arab Emirates
        share_percent: 3.6
        year: 2025
    critical_lists: []
    recycling: 'USGS: in 2025 about 3.6 million tons of aluminum were recovered from purchased scrap in the United States, about 56 % from new scrap and 44 % from old scrap. Old-scrap recovery was equivalent to about 28 % of apparent consumption.'
    substitutes:
      - 'USGS: composites can substitute for aluminum in aircraft fuselages and wings. Copper can replace aluminum in electrical and heat-exchange applications.'
    source: usgs-mcs2026-aluminum
    where: 'World Smelter Production and Capacity table, column 2025e: China 45,000, India 4,200, Russia 3,900, Canada 3,300, United Arab Emirates 2,700, world total (rounded) 74,000 thousand t. Shares are calculated by Space Mushroom from those printed values (for example 45,000 / 74,000 = 60.8 %). Recycling and Substitutes sections. The same aluminium supply data are used for the 2017 profile.'
documents:
  - title: 'Total Materia: AA 5056 Aluminium Alloys (preview page, last updated 2021-01)'
    type: database
    url: https://www.totalmateria.com/en-us/material/3002147
    year: 2021
  - title: 'AircraftMaterials: Aluminium Alloy 5056 / 5056A'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://aircraftmaterials.com/data/aluminium/5056.html
  - title: 'Mfgrobots: AA Standards Grade 5056 H111, key mechanical properties and specifications'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.mfgrobots.com/Article/material/metal/38356.html
  - title: 'Mfgrobots: ASTM B211 Grade 5056 H12 high strength 5000 series aluminum alloy'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.mfgrobots.com/Article/material/metal/36496.html
  - title: 'Hydro Extrusion USA: Safety Data Sheet, Wrought Aluminum Products, 5xxx Series Alloys (revised 08/14/2018)'
    type: sds
    url: https://www.hydro.com/globalassets/01-products--services/extruded-profiles/americas/ena-resources/safety-data-sheets/7-667-5xxx-series.pdf
    year: 2018
  - title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Aluminum'
    type: report
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-aluminum.pdf
    year: 2026
gaps:
  - 'No yield strength for 5056 was found in any page read: the AircraftMaterials yield column is blank, and the TotalMateria yield value is behind registration.'
  - No elongation for H111, H32 or H34 was found (the AircraftMaterials table prints a dash). The 20 % value is for the O temper only.
  - Density, melting range, modulus and thermal conductivity come from one vendor page (Mfgrobots, H111) and from a TotalMateria preview with the temper not stated. The MakeItFrom page (HTTP 403) and the Aalco datasheet index were not reached, so no second manufacturer or standard datasheet confirms the density.
  - The Mfgrobots pages are resellers' summaries, not manufacturer or standards-body data. Their generic 5000-series rows (fracture toughness, Poisson's ratio, specific heat, maximum service temperature) were not used.
  - The TotalMateria tensile range (288.9 to 415.6 MPa) and modulus range (69 to 79 GPa) are not tied to a temper on the page, so they were kept with the temper marked not stated.
  - No corrosion test data (salt spray, ASTM B117 or G34, exfoliation, stress corrosion) for 5056 was found. Only the supplier statement is recorded.
  - The Hydro hazard classes come from its 5xxx series sheet, which covers the whole series rather than 5056 alone. No 5056-specific safety data sheet was found.
  - The EWAA variant 5056A (and its EN AW-5019 and AlMg5 equivalents on TotalMateria) is a different grade listing and is not used here. No EN designation for 5056 was confirmed in a source read, so no EN entry is listed.
  - The Ti content is not printed in the US limits row, so it is not given.
  - The ASM Alloy Digest on 5056 is paywalled and was not read. The AMS 4005 foil specification for 5056-H191 was found but its tensile table could not be read.
  - The Baudouy and Four 2014 Cryogenics paper on 5056 H39 thermal conductivity from 4.2 K to 120 K was found, but the page read did not print numeric values, so nothing from it is entered.
  - No flight, spacecraft or launch-vehicle record for 5056 was found in the sources read. No NASA or ESA search was run for this grade.
  - No weldability, hardness, fatigue, radiation, atomic oxygen, outgassing or cryogenic property was looked up or found for this grade in the sources read.
  - The USGS 2026 aluminum summary text read here does not mention a critical-minerals list, so no critical-list entry is recorded.
sources:
  totalmateria-5056:
    title: 'Total Materia: AA 5056 Aluminium Alloys (preview page)'
    url: https://www.totalmateria.com/en-us/material/3002147
    year: 2021
    kind: database
    license: Paywalled database, preview values only (cited, not reproduced)
  aircraftmaterials-5056:
    title: 'AircraftMaterialsUK: Aluminium Alloy 5056 / 5056A'
    url: https://aircraftmaterials.com/data/aluminium/5056.html
    kind: datasheet
    license: Supplier web page (cited, not reproduced)
  mfgrobots-5056-h111:
    title: 'Mfgrobots: AA Standards Grade 5056 H111, key mechanical properties and specifications'
    url: https://www.mfgrobots.com/Article/material/metal/38356.html
    kind: web
    license: Reseller web page (cited, not reproduced)
  mfgrobots-5056-h12:
    title: 'Mfgrobots: ASTM B211 Grade 5056 H12 high strength 5000 series aluminum alloy'
    url: https://www.mfgrobots.com/Article/material/metal/36496.html
    kind: web
    license: Reseller web page (cited, not reproduced)
  hydro-5xxx-sds:
    title: 'Hydro Extrusion USA: Safety Data Sheet, Wrought Aluminum Products, 5xxx Series Alloys'
    url: https://www.hydro.com/globalassets/01-products--services/extruded-profiles/americas/ena-resources/safety-data-sheets/7-667-5xxx-series.pdf
    year: 2018
    kind: datasheet
    license: Manufacturer safety data sheet (cited, not reproduced)
  usgs-mcs2026-aluminum:
    title: 'Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Aluminum'
    id: USGS MCS 2026
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-aluminum.pdf
    year: 2026
    kind: report
    license: public domain (USGS)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-26'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 17
  unreachable: 3
  caveats: 5
  note: 'Values were read by an AI assistant on 2026-10-26 from the pages named in each entry. Unreachable or blocked: MakeItFrom (403, both direct and via curl), Aalco datasheet index (no 5056 entry found), ASM Alloy Digest (paywalled). Caveats: density and melting range come from one reseller page for H111; the TotalMateria ranges have no temper; the Mfgrobots H12 value is from a reseller page; the hazard classes are for the whole 5xxx series; no yield strength for 5056 was found.'
story:
  recipe:
    line: 5056 is a wrought, non-heat-treatable aluminium-magnesium alloy. Magnesium is the main alloying element and gives the alloy its strength (AircraftMaterials). Manganese and chromium are added in small amounts. TotalMateria gives an annealing treatment for the O temper, with the cooling rate stated as unimportant. The composition below is the standard range, not a measured value.
    parts:
      - name: Aluminium
        symbol: Al
        share: balance
        role: The matrix of the alloy. Balance of the composition.
      - name: Magnesium
        symbol: Mg
        share: 4.5 to 5.6 wt%
        role: The main alloying element. It gives the alloy its high strength without heat treatment, according to AircraftMaterials.
      - name: Manganese
        symbol: Mn
        share: 0.05 to 0.2 wt%
        role: Minor addition printed in the US limits row.
      - name: Chromium
        symbol: Cr
        share: 0.05 to 0.2 wt%
        role: Minor addition printed in the US limits row. Together with manganese it is limited to a small total.
      - name: Silicon, iron, copper and zinc
        symbol: Si, Fe, Cu, Zn
        share: Si max 0.3, Fe max 0.4, Cu max 0.10, Zn max 0.10 wt%
        role: Impurity limits, not added on purpose.
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      level: 1
      verdict: Dust and fume warnings
      lead: The Hydro safety data sheet for the 5xxx series gives dust, fume and classification warnings for processing. No health data for the 5056 grade alone were found.
      points:
        - label: Machining dust
          line: Metallic dusts may ignite or explode, and dusts and fumes from machining or welding can cause metal fume fever (Hydro SDS, 5xxx series).
        - label: Sensitisation and cancer
          line: The same sheet classifies the product as a skin sensitiser (H317) and as suspected of causing cancer by inhalation (H351). These are series-level classes.
        - label: Environment
          line: Small chips, fine turnings and processing dust may be toxic to aquatic life, according to the same sheet.
    - title: If it fails
      lead: The failure routes found in the sources are a soft temper used where strength is needed, and dust fire during machining.
      points:
        - label: Temper
          line: The O temper is 46 ksi tensile maximum, while H34 is 50 ksi minimum in the same table. Choose the temper for the load.
        - label: Dust
          line: Hydro says fine, damp dust can ignite by spontaneous combustion, and that improper machining can make it ignite more easily.
    - title: Handling and storage
      points:
        - label: Keep it dry
          line: Hydro says not to allow water or moist air to contact the material, and to store it in a dry, protected place.
        - label: Dust control
          line: Keep machining dust and fines under control, and avoid breathing dust or fume, following the Hydro SDS.
  why: 5056 is a magnesium-strengthened aluminium alloy for cold-formed parts. Its supplier data give high strength for its weight in the H111 temper (300 MPa tensile, density 2.64 g/cm3), and the AircraftMaterials page describes the alloy as having high strength and excellent formability. It is used for cold-headed parts, wire forms and hinge pins, and it is stocked as rivet, bolt and screw stock. The supplier also says it resists salt water, which is the reason it is named for marine and wet service in the sources read.
  uses:
    - where: Cold-headed parts, wire forms and hinge pins
      line: AircraftMaterials says the alloy is used extensively in cold heading applications as well as wire forms and hinge pins.
    - where: Rivet, bolt and screw stock
      line: The same supplier lists 5056 as available in bolt and screw stock, rivet stock and wire. The page does not describe a flown application.
  can_do:
    - label: Strength
      value: 300 MPa, H111
      benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
      line: The Mfgrobots page gives a tensile strength of 300 MPa for H111. The AircraftMaterials table gives 44 ksi minimum for H111 wire and rod under 0.374 in diameter.
    - label: Form
      value: 20 % elongation, O temper
      benchmark: elongation
      line: In the O temper, AircraftMaterials gives 20 % elongation in 2 in for cold-finished wire and rod.
    - label: Weight
      value: 2.64 g/cm3
      benchmark: density
      line: A supplier page labelled 5056 H111 gives a density of 2.64 g/cm3.
    - label: Heat
      value: 109 to 117 W/(m·K)
      benchmark: thermal_conductivity
      line: The Mfgrobots page gives 109 to 117 W/(m·K) for H111. The TotalMateria preview gives 108.784 to 117.152 W/(m·°C), with the temper not stated.
    - label: Salt water
      value: Excellent corrosion resistance (supplier)
      line: AircraftMaterials says the alloy has excellent corrosion resistance and can be used in salt water where other metals would corrode. No test data were found.
  compare: Among the aluminium grades in this collection, 5056 is a non-heat-treatable Al-Mg alloy. Its strength comes from magnesium and cold work, not from solution treatment and ageing, so its strength depends on temper rather than on heat treatment. The sources here give density, stiffness and thermal figures for 5056 alone, and they do not compare it numerically with other grades.
  compare_rows:
    - label: Density
      benchmark: density
    - label: Thermal conductivity
      benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    - label: Modulus of elasticity
      benchmark: elastic_modulus
  handling:
    - Specify the temper and the product form, because the tensile minimums run from 44 to 50 ksi by temper and the O temper is 46 ksi maximum.
    - Keep machining dust and fines under control. Metallic dust can ignite or explode.
    - Keep the material dry and stored in a protected place, away from moisture.
  good_for:
    - Cold-formed wire, rivets and fasteners that must resist corrosion in salt water, according to the supplier.
    - Hinge pins and wire forms, which the supplier names as typical uses.
  watch_out:
    - 'Strength depends strongly on temper: the O temper is 46 ksi maximum, against 50 ksi minimum for H34.'
    - No yield strength for 5056 was found in the sources read, so the strength figures here are tensile values only.
    - No corrosion test data were found. The corrosion statement is a supplier statement.
    - No flight or spacecraft use of 5056 was found in the sources read.
  verdict: 5056 is a corrosion-resistant, non-heat-treatable aluminium-magnesium alloy for cold-formed wire, rivets and fasteners. Its strength depends on temper, and the sources read here give no yield strength or flight record for the grade.

References

Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.

References
Source	Type	Year	Used for
Total Materia: AA 5056 Aluminium Alloys (preview page)	database	2021	4 values
AircraftMaterialsUK: Aluminium Alloy 5056 / 5056A	datasheet		11 values
Mfgrobots: AA Standards Grade 5056 H111, key mechanical properties and specifications	web		7 values
Mfgrobots: ASTM B211 Grade 5056 H12 high strength 5000 series aluminum alloy	web		1 value
Hydro Extrusion USA: Safety Data Sheet, Wrought Aluminum Products, 5xxx Series Alloys	datasheet	2018	6 values
Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Aluminum	report	2026	1 value

References
Identity
Formula	Al-Mg-Mn-Cr alloy, AA 5056 (UNS A95056): Mg 4.5 to 5.6, Mn 0.05 to 0.2, Cr 0.05 to 0.2, Cu max 0.10, Fe max 0.4, Si max 0.3, Zn max 0.10, other each max 0.05 and total max 0.15 wt%, Al balance
Role	non-heat-treatable wrought Al-Mg alloy for cold-formed wire, rivets and fasteners
Benchmarks	17

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