5059 aluminium alloy

Basic properties

5059 has a density of 2660 kg/m3, with a specific gravity of 2.66.

Melting point is 590 °C.

Chemical properties

The alloy composition of 5059 is:

• Magnesium - 5%-6% by weight
• Chromium - 0.3% maximum
• Copper - 0.4% maximum
• Iron - 0.5% maximum
• Manganese - 0.6% - 1.2%
• Silicon - 0.45% maximum
• Titanium - 4.6%
• Zinc - 0.4% - 1.5%
• Zirconium - 0.05%-0.25%
• Others each 0.05% maximum
• Others total 0.15% maximum
• Remainder Aluminium

Mechanical properties

The mechanical properties of 5059 vary significantly with hardening and temperature.

–O hardening

Unhardened 5059 has a yield strength of 23 ksi and ultimate tensile strength of 48 ksi from -28 to. At cryogenic temperatures it is slightly stronger; above 100 °C its strength is reduced.

Elongation, the strain before material failure, is 24% at room temperature.

–H131 hardening

yield strength of 269 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 365 MPa. Produced by Aleris under the AluStar brand.

–H136 hardening

yield strength of 269 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 359 MPa. Produced by Aleris under the AluStar brand.

–H321 hardening

H321 strain hardened 5059, with properties measured at 20 °C, has yield strength of 39 ksi, ultimate tensile strength of 54 ksi, and elongation of 10%.

Uses

5059 has been used as a hull material for small aluminium boats or larger yachts. Its high strength and good corrosion resistance make it an excellent match for yachting.

5059 has been tested for use in vehicle armor.

5059 has been used for cryogenic propellant tanks for experimental reusable rocket vehicles.

Welding

5059 is often assembled using arc welding, typically MIG (for marine use) or TIG welding. The newer technique of Friction stir welding has also been successfully applied but is not in common use.

Arc welding reduces mechanical properties to no worse than –O hardening condition. The relatively low decrease in ultimate strength is extremely good performance for an aluminium alloy.

References

Aluminium alloy table

References

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3. [https://www.aleris.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Defense_Aluminum-Alustar_engl_PV_2012-11-07.pdf Aleris - Defense Aluminium Alustar] {{Webarchive. link. (2015-05-04 , accessed 2016-11-29)
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5. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121007142144/http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=ADA481408 Ballistic Performance Testing of Aluminium Alloy 5059-H131 and 5059-H136 for Armor Applications], ARL-TR-4427, Dwight D. Showalter, Brian E. Placzankis, and Matthew S. Burkins, May 2008. Accessed 2010-12-14
6. [http://masten-space.com/2009/10/20/tank-update/ Masten Space Systems Blog], accessed 2010-12-14
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