5056 Aluminum

Representative aluminum raw/semi-finished material photo; exact grade not verified

5056 Aluminum (AA 5056, UNS A95056) is a wrought 5xxx-series aluminum–magnesium alloy containing about 4.5–5.6% magnesium with controlled manganese and chromium. It is a non-heat-treatable alloy strengthened by cold work rather than precipitation heat treatment. Its relatively high magnesium level provides useful strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and good low-temperature performance. 5056 is particularly associated with wire, rod, cold-heading stock, fasteners, hinge pins, cable sheathing, and corrosion-resistant screen wire. Material properties depend substantially on product form, diameter, and strain-hardened temper.

Chemical Composition (wt.%)
Chemical Composition wt.%
Element	Min	Max
Silicon	—	0.30
Iron	—	0.40
Copper	—	0.10
Manganese	0.05	0.20
Magnesium	4.5	5.6
Chromium	0.05	0.20
Zinc	—	0.10
Others, each	—	0.05
Others, total	—	0.15
Aluminum	Remainder

Composition notes

Silicon: Maximum
Iron: Maximum
Copper: Maximum
Zinc: Maximum
Others, each: Maximum for each other element
Others, total: Maximum total

Registered wrought AA 5056 composition limits are in weight percent. Aluminum is the remainder. “Others” limits apply to elements not individually specified; they are not zero-content requirements.

Values below are source-reported values for AA 5056 where stated. Mechanical values from the wire/rod source are product- and temper-specific and should not be used as general design allowables for other forms.

Use the button to switch between Metric and US Customary units.

Table of 5056 Aluminum Properties

Table of 5056 Aluminum Properties
Physical Properties	Metric
Density	2.64 g/cm³2.64 g/cm³
Mechanical Properties	Metric
Elastic Modulus	70–80 GPa
Poisson’s Ratio	0.33
Tensile Strength (O, cold-finish wire/rod)	46 maximum ksi
Elongation (O, cold-finish wire/rod)	20 %
Tensile Strength (H111, cold-finish wire/rod)	44 minimum ksi
Tensile Strength (H32, cold-finish wire/rod)	44 minimum ksi
Tensile Strength (H34, cold-finish wire/rod)	50 minimum ksi
Thermal Properties	Metric
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (20–100 °C)	24.1 × 10⁻⁶ /°C
Thermal Conductivity (H38)	112 W/m·K

Test conditions & data notes

Density: Typical reported value
Elastic Modulus: Typical reported value
Poisson’s Ratio: Typical reported value
Tensile Strength (O, cold-finish wire/rod): All diameters
Elongation (O, cold-finish wire/rod): In 2 in; all diameters
Tensile Strength (H111, cold-finish wire/rod): Diameter <0.374 in
Tensile Strength (H32, cold-finish wire/rod): Diameter <0.374 in
Tensile Strength (H34, cold-finish wire/rod): Diameter <0.374 in
Thermal Conductivity (H38): At 25 °C

Material Conditions & Tempers

AA 5056 is non-heat-treatable. O temper is annealed material, while H tempers identify strain-hardened conditions. Available tempers and certified mechanical properties vary with the mill product, especially wire and rod diameter.

Condition	Tensile Strength	Notes
O	46 ksi maximum	Annealed condition reported for cold-finish wire/rod; suited where maximum ductility and forming latitude are required. Reported elongation is 20% in 2 in for all listed diameters.
H111	44 ksi minimum	Lightly strain-hardened commercial condition reported for cold-finish wire/rod. Source value applies to diameter below 0.374 in.
H32	44 ksi minimum	Strain-hardened and stabilized temper reported for cold-finish wire/rod. Source value applies to diameter below 0.374 in.
H34	50 ksi minimum	Higher strain-hardened and stabilized condition reported for cold-finish wire/rod. Source value applies to diameter below 0.374 in.

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages	Limitations
High magnesium content gives 5056 higher cold-work strength potential than lower-magnesium 5xxx alloys such as 5052. Excellent resistance to atmospheric and salt-water corrosion supports exposed and marine-adjacent wire and hardware service. Non-heat-treatable metallurgy avoids reliance on solution treatment and artificial aging; strength is developed principally by cold work. Good formability and cold-heading behavior make the alloy well suited to wire forms, rivets, bolts, screws, and hinge-pin stock. Low density, reported as 2.64 g/cm³, supports lightweight corrosion-resistant components.	5056 cannot be precipitation hardened by conventional heat treatment; temper selection and cold-work level control its strength. Strength and dimensional stability can be reduced during prolonged elevated-temperature exposure; it is not a preferred alloy for sustained high-temperature service. The high-magnesium 5xxx chemistry warrants suitable fabrication practice where welded structures may see prolonged service at moderately elevated temperatures. Published mechanical data are strongly dependent on wire/rod size and temper; use applicable product standards and mill certification for design. This alloy is not intended to provide the thermal conductivity or electrical conductivity associated with dedicated conductor alloys.

Advantages

Limitations

High magnesium content gives 5056 higher cold-work strength potential than lower-magnesium 5xxx alloys such as 5052.
Excellent resistance to atmospheric and salt-water corrosion supports exposed and marine-adjacent wire and hardware service.
Non-heat-treatable metallurgy avoids reliance on solution treatment and artificial aging; strength is developed principally by cold work.
Good formability and cold-heading behavior make the alloy well suited to wire forms, rivets, bolts, screws, and hinge-pin stock.
Low density, reported as 2.64 g/cm³, supports lightweight corrosion-resistant components.

5056 cannot be precipitation hardened by conventional heat treatment; temper selection and cold-work level control its strength.
Strength and dimensional stability can be reduced during prolonged elevated-temperature exposure; it is not a preferred alloy for sustained high-temperature service.
The high-magnesium 5xxx chemistry warrants suitable fabrication practice where welded structures may see prolonged service at moderately elevated temperatures.
Published mechanical data are strongly dependent on wire/rod size and temper; use applicable product standards and mill certification for design.
This alloy is not intended to provide the thermal conductivity or electrical conductivity associated with dedicated conductor alloys.

Processing & Fabrication

Process	Description
Cold heading and fastener manufacture	5056 is widely used as cold-heading stock because its magnesium-rich composition combines useful strength with formability. Select an incoming wire temper appropriate to heading severity, then validate finished fastener properties after forming.
Wire drawing and forming	The alloy is well suited to wire forms, screen wire, and cable-sheathing applications. Control reduction schedules and intermediate annealing as needed to manage work hardening and avoid cracking.
Machining	Use sharp tooling, secure workholding, and lubricant appropriate to aluminum alloys. Thin wire and small-diameter rod require attention to distortion and burr control.
Welding	Where welding is required, qualify the procedure for the product form and service environment. Because 5056 is a non-heat-treatable alloy, local cold-work strength can be reduced in the heat-affected zone.
Corrosion-service finishing	Clean fabrication residues and avoid crevices, stagnant deposits, and incompatible-metal contact in wet or salt-bearing environments. Protective isolation can be useful where galvanic couples cannot be avoided.

Applications

5056 is selected where a lightweight wrought aluminum product must combine corrosion resistance with higher strength than common low-magnesium sheet alloys, particularly in wire, rod, and cold-headed hardware forms.

Cold-headed bolts, screws, and rivets: High magnesium content and good cold-heading behavior support fastener stock with useful cold-work strength.
Hinge pins and wire forms: Available wire and rod forms combine formability, strength, and resistance to atmospheric corrosion.
Cable sheathing: The alloy offers low weight and strong corrosion resistance for protective metallic sheathing.
Screen wire: Corrosion resistance and workable wire properties are useful for screens exposed to moisture or salt-bearing atmospheres.
Zippers and small formed hardware: 5056 has been used for formed components requiring corrosion resistance and a favorable strength-to-weight ratio.

Standards & Designations

Designation	Value	Description
Aluminum Association	AA 5056	Active registered wrought aluminum-alloy designation.
UNS	A95056	UNS designation cited for Aluminum 5056.
ISO designation cross-reference	AlMg5Cr	International cross-reference shown for 5056 in the Aluminum Association Teal Sheets.
AMS	AMS 4005, AMS 4176, AMS 4177, AMS 4349	Specifications listed by AZoM for Aluminum 5056; confirm product form, revision, and temper before procurement.
ASTM	ASTM B211, ASTM B316	Specifications listed by AZoM for Aluminum 5056; applicability depends on the ordered product form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 5056 Aluminum heat treatable?

No. AA 5056 is a non-heat-treatable 5xxx aluminum–magnesium alloy. Its strength is developed primarily through cold work and the selected H temper, rather than solution heat treatment and artificial aging.

What is the main difference between 5056 and 5052 Aluminum?

5056 contains substantially more magnesium: 4.5–5.6% versus the lower magnesium content characteristic of 5052. This gives 5056 stronger cold-worked wire and fastener potential, while both alloys are valued for corrosion resistance. Product availability and temper should guide the final choice.

What product forms are commonly associated with AA 5056?

5056 is especially associated with wire, rod, bolt and screw stock, and rivet stock. Reported uses include cold-headed fasteners, hinge pins, cable sheathing, screen wire, and zipper components.

References & Data Notes

(n.d.). The Aluminum Association, International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys (Teal Sheets), December 2025. https://www.aluminum.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/Teal%20Sheets%20December%202025.pdf
(n.d.). AZoM: Aluminum 5056 Alloy (UNS A95056). https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6628
(n.d.). Aircraft Materials: Aluminium Alloy 5056 / 5056A Technical Data Sheet. https://www.aircraftmaterials.com/data/aluminium/5056.html

Composition limits are registered AA wrought-alloy limits. Physical, thermal, and mechanical values are source-reported reference data; mechanical values shown are limited to the stated wire/rod tempers and dimensions. Confirm governing specification, product form, temper, inspection requirements, and certified test results before design or purchase.