5456 aluminium alloy

5456 aluminium alloy is an alloy in the wrought aluminium-magnesium family (5000 or 5xxx series). While it is closely related to 5356 aluminium alloy (Aluminum Association designations that only differ in the second digit are variations on the same alloy), it is used in structural applications, like most other aluminium-magnesium alloys, and not as filler for welding. As a wrought alloy, it can be formed by rolling, extrusion, and forging (although forging is not common), but not casting. It can be cold worked to produce tempers with a higher strength but a lower ductility. It is susceptible to exfoliation corrosion when held at temperatures above 65 °C (150 °F) for extended periods of time.[1]

5456 aluminium alloy is also known by the UNS designation A95456. The alloy and its various tempers are covered by the following standards:[2]

• ASTM B 209: Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
• ASTM B 210: Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Drawn Seamless Tubes
• ASTM B 221: Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
• ASTM B 928: Standard Specification for High Magnesium Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate for Marine Service

Chemical composition

The alloy composition of 5456 aluminium is:[2]

• Aluminium: 92.0 to 94.8%
• Chromium: 0.05 to 0.20%
• Copper: 0.1% max
• Iron: 0.4% max
• Magnesium: 4.7 to 5.5%
• Manganese: 0.5 to 1.0%
• Silicon: 0.25% max
• Titanium: 0.2% max
• Zinc: 0.25% max
• Residuals: 0.15% max

Properties

Typical material properties for 5454 aluminum alloy include:[2]

• Density: 2.66 g/cm³, or 166 lb/ft³.
• Young's modulus: 69 GPa, or 10 Msi.
• Electrical conductivity: 29% IACS.
• Ultimate tensile strength: 310 to 350 MPa, or 45 to 51 ksi.
• Thermal Conductivity: 120 W/m-K.
• Thermal Expansion: 23.9 μm/m-K.

References

1. Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, 8th Ed., McGraw Hill, pp. 6-50 to 6-57
2. 5456 (A95456) Aluminum. Retrieved on 2014-12-04.