5083 H116 marine grade aluminum alloy sheet plate

5083 H116 marine grade aluminum alloy sheet plate is recognized globally for its exceptional performance in marine environments. As a prominent member of the 5xxx series aluminum alloys, 5083 is an aluminum-magnesium alloy known for excellent corrosion resistance, especially to seawater and marine atmospheres. This makes it an industry favorite for shipbuilding, ship structures, offshore platforms, and other marine applications requiring prolonged exposure to harsh saltwater environments.

Chemical Composition

The characteristic properties of 5083 H116 alloy stem from its chemical makeup, carefully controlled to optimize strength, corrosion resistance, and weldability:

Note: Strict control on impurities such as iron and copper enhances corrosion resistance.

Temper Designation: H116

The temper treatment “H116” is a strain-hardened state with natural aging, with the critical characteristic of having not been annealed after strain hardening. The H116 temper was specially developed for marine grades to offer the best balance between mechanical properties and corrosion resistance — especially stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance — when in marine atmospheric and saltwater conditions.

Typically, the strip or sheet in this temper is flat-rolled and strain-hardened to a medium level of strength, overcoming the hinge-like toughness reduction in sub-tempers.

Mechanical Properties

Features and Benefits

• Outstanding Corrosion Resistance: Excellent resistance to seawater and saline aerosols withstands marine and offshore environment attacks.
• Enhanced Weldability: Fully weldable by common methods (TIG, MIG, arc welding) with minimal loss of strength.
• Good Formability & Workability: Easy to cold work into complex shapes required in marine structures.
• Lightweight: Offers a high strength-to-weight ratio, optimizing lightweight ship and vessel construction.
• Stress Corrosion Resistance: The unique temper H116 protects against premature cracking from prolonged exposure to salt.

Applications in Marine Industry

• Ship hull structures and decks
• Offshore drilling rigs and platforms
• Marine tanks and bulkheads
• Boat building and yacht construction
• Cryogenic tanks and LNG applications (sometimes aftermarket coatings considered)
• Floating bridges and barges

Implementation Standards & Specifications

5083 H116 aluminum sheets comply fully with the following relevant standards, ensuring uniform quality and performance:

• ASTM B209: Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
• ISO 6361 (93 H116 Subcategory): Aluminum and aluminum alloys - Sheet, strip, and plate
• AA Alloy Standards: Aluminum Association 5083 grade controls
• EN 485-2: Aluminium and aluminium alloys – Sheet, strip, and plate – Mechanical properties

Fabrication Guidelines

• Cutting: Can be cut by shearing, chips knives, or abrasive methods while minimizing work hardening.
• Welding: Best performed with gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) or gas metal arc welding (GMAW). Use low iron filler alloys (e.g., 5183) for minimal corrosion risk.
• Bending/Forming: Operate above a suitable min radius (≥2x thickness) for springback control.
• Surface Treatment: Although naturally corrosion resistant, anodizing improves salt-fog resistance and surface finish.