Material Overview
- Application
- Hull plating, decks, shell structures, patrol boats, high-speed ferries, and commercial fishing vessels.
- Engineering Advantage
- H116 temper is specifically engineered for marine plate applications requiring guaranteed resistance to exfoliation and intergranular corrosion.
- Specification
- Alloy 5083 · Temper H116 · ASTM B928 / EN standards · Classification society certificates available · Custom cut-to-size.
Quick Answer: What is 5083-H116 Aluminum Plate?
5083-H116 is a premier marine-grade aluminum alloy plate containing approximately 4.4% Magnesium and 0.7% Manganese. The H116 temper is specifically heat-treated and strain-hardened to pass rigorous exfoliation corrosion tests (such as ASTM G66 ASSET test), making it the industry standard for saltwater hull construction and marine structural parts.
5083 H116 aluminum plate is widely deployed in welded marine structures operating in severe chloride-rich environments. The H116 designation is critical for ship hull plates because it guarantees controlled microstructure processing to eliminate susceptibility to premature intergranular degradation.
Primary Applications in Marine Engineering
Because of its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and seawater corrosion resistance, 5083-H116 plate is utilized across various structural components:
- Hull Shells & Bottom Plating: Withstands continuous hydrodynamic slamming and saltwater immersion.
- Superstructures & Decks: Reduces top-weight compared to steel, improving vessel fuel efficiency and stability.
- Marine Superstructures: Used in pilot boats, workboats, catamarans, and luxury yachts.
- Offshore Equipment: Walkways, pressure tanks, LNG transport containers, and marine bulkheads.
Why Naval Architects & Engineers Select 5083-H116
When designing vessels intended for long service lives in harsh marine environments, material selection is critical. 5083-H116 is preferred due to several distinct technical advantages:
- Exfoliation Corrosion Resistance: Strict temper controls limit the precipitation of anodic constituents along grain boundaries, preventing subsurface layer corrosion.
- High As-Welded Strength: Retains high mechanical strength in welded joints without requiring post-weld heat treatment (PWHT).
- Cryogenic Performance: Maintains toughness and mechanical integrity at sub-zero temperatures, making it suitable for specialized marine transport (e.g., LNG).
Technical Specification & Standard Compliance
| Parameter | Specification Detail |
|---|---|
| Alloy Designation | AA 5083 (UNS A95083) |
| Temper | H116 (Meeting ASTM B928 corrosion criteria) |
| Applicable Standards | ASTM B928 / ASTM B209, EN 573-3, EN 13195 |
| Standard Thickness Range | 3.0 mm to 150 mm (Custom thickness on request) |
| Standard Width & Length | Width up to 2600mm; Length up to 12000mm |
| Third-Party Inspection | ABS, DNV, LR, BV, CCS certification available |
Chemical Composition Limits (wt. %)
In accordance with international standards, the precise control of magnesium and manganese gives 5083 its unique structural properties:
| Element | Silicon (Si) | Iron (Fe) | Copper (Cu) | Manganese (Mn) | Magnesium (Mg) | Chromium (Cr) | Zinc (Zn) | Titanium (Ti) | Aluminum (Al) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min - Max | max 0.40 | max 0.40 | max 0.10 | 0.40 - 1.0 | 4.0 - 4.9 | 0.05 - 0.25 | max 0.25 | max 0.15 | Remainder |
Typical Mechanical Properties
Guaranteed mechanical performance parameters for 5083-H116 marine aluminum plate:
| Thickness (mm) | Tensile Strength (Rm MPa min) | Yield Strength (Rp0.2 MPa min) | Elongation A50 (%) min |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 – 40.0 | 305 | 215 | 12 |
| 40.0 – 80.0 | 295 | 205 | 10 |
Welding & Fabrication Guidelines
5083-H116 demonstrates excellent compatibility with standard industrial fabrication processes:
- Welding Methods: Highly compatible with GMAW (MIG) and GTAW (TIG) processes. Recommended filler wire: ER5183 or ER5356 to ensure optimal joint strength and corrosion match.
- Formability: Good formability in the annealed state; however, forming in the H116 temper should account for lower elongation limits relative to softer tempers.
- Machining: Readily machinable with high-speed carbide tooling using proper coolant and chip clearance strategies.
Corrosion Consideration & Testing
Marine environments subject alloys to severe pitting and galvanic risks. The H116 temper undergoes mandatory intergranular and exfoliation corrosion testing (such as ASTM G66 Mass Loss Test / ASSET test and ASTM G67 NAMLT test) to confirm weight loss is well within safe specifications, preventing structural degradation in seawater service.
Quality Assurance & Traceability
Haomei Aluminum enforces strict mill test standards:
- Mill Test Certificates (MTC): Supplied in accordance with EN 10204 3.1, detailing exact chemical analysis and mechanical test findings.
- Ultrasonic Testing: Available per ASTM B594 or EN 10224 for heavy plate applications to guarantee internal soundness.
- Identification: Fully stamped with heat number, alloy, temper, and plate dimensions for complete project traceability.
Procurement Checklist for Engineers & Buyers
To ensure your project inquiry is handled with maximum efficiency, verify the following details before requesting a quote:
- Alloy & Temper: 5083-H116 (Confirm if H321 or other tempers are acceptable).
- Dimensions: Thickness (mm), Width (mm), Length (mm).
- Quantity: Total tonnage or specific number of plates.
- Standard & Certification: ASTM B928 compliance, Mill Test Certificate type, and specific classification society approvals (e.g., ABS, DNV).
- Edge Preparation or Cut-to-Size requirements.
Procurement documentation should identify alloy, temper, thickness, width, length, applicable standard, testing requirements and whether classification society review is required.