5083 Marine-Grade Sheet & Plate: Tempers, Tolerances, Certification & Factory Pricing
HXM supplies 5083 aluminum sheet and plate in 0.5–200 mm thickness, widths up to 2,650 mm and lengths to 12,000 mm, in O / H111 / H112 / H116 / H321 / H34 tempers for shipbuilding, offshore structures, LNG and cryogenic tanks, pressure vessels and heavy transport. Every order ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate, and marine orders are produced under DNV / ABS / LR / BV / CCS recognised schemes. MOQ 500 kg, lead time 15–28 days, FOB / CIF quoted within 24 hours.
⚡ Quick Answer
5083 is the strongest of the common non-heat-treatable marine aluminium grades: 275–350 MPa tensile in O temper, rising to ≥305 MPa with H116/H321, while keeping excellent weldability and outstanding seawater corrosion resistance. Choose H116 for hull plating exposed to seawater, H321 for structural ship sections and deckhouses, O/H111 when deep forming is needed, and H112 for general welded fabrication. Plates above 6 mm are ultrasonic-tested on request. Read our full 5083 marine-grade guide for alloy-level detail.
5083 Sheet & Plate Specifications at a Glance
Buyers usually need four things before shortlisting a supplier: what sizes exist off the shelf, which tempers map to which application, what standards govern delivery, and what paperwork arrives with the goods. The table below answers all four in one view.
| Parameter | Range / Value | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Alloy | 5083 (UNS A95083 / EN AW-5083 / AlMg4.5Mn0.7) | ASTM B209 · EN 485-1/-2 · JIS H4000 · GB/T 3880 |
| Thickness — sheet | 0.5 – 6.0 mm | ASTM B209 / EN 485 |
| Thickness — plate | 6.0 – 200 mm | ASTM B209 / EN 485 |
| Width | 1,000 – 2,650 mm | mill edge or slit |
| Length | up to 12,000 mm (sawn plate) | custom lengths on request |
| Tempers | O, H111, H112, H116, H321, H34 | EN 515 / ASTM B209M |
| Surface | mill finish, PVC film one/both sides, degreased, sawn edges | |
| Flatness | ≤ 3 mm/m typical for plate; shipbuilding spec on request | EN 485-4 / ASTM B209 |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate; DNV / ABS / LR / BV / CCS on request | |
| MOQ | 500 kg per alloy-thickness combination (stock sizes often lower) | |
| Lead time | 15–28 days production + 25–35 days sea freight typical |
Sheet vs plate convention: ≤ 6.0 mm is sheet; > 6.0 mm is plate. Gauge-to-mm conversions are in our aluminum gauge thickness guide.
Chemical Composition of 5083 (EN 573-3 / ASTM B209)
5083 is an Al–Mg–Mn alloy with roughly 4.0–4.9 % magnesium and 0.4–1.0 % manganese. That combination delivers the highest strength of any alloy that is still weldable and marine-proof without heat treatment. The exact composition on your mill certificate must fall inside these limits:
| Element | Min (%) | Max (%) | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mg | 4.0 | 4.9 | Solid-solution strengthening; the core of 5083’s strength and seawater resistance |
| Mn | 0.40 | 1.00 | Raises strength, offsets sodium embrittlement, improves recrystallised grain control |
| Cr | 0.05 | 0.25 | Grain refiner; improves stress-corrosion resistance |
| Si | — | 0.40 | Impurity; kept low for weld ductility |
| Fe | — | 0.40 | Impurity; controlled to avoid coarse constituent particles |
| Cu | — | 0.10 | Kept low — copper degrades seawater corrosion performance |
| Zn | — | 0.25 | Impurity limit |
| Ti | — | 0.15 | Grain refiner from casting |
| Other, each | — | 0.05 | — |
| Other, total | — | 0.15 | — |
| Aluminium | remainder | — | — |
Every HXM shipment includes the actual ladle and product analysis on an EN 10204 3.1 certificate — the numbers buyers audit during marine class surveys.
Mechanical Properties by Temper
Temper choice is the single biggest lever on delivered strength and formability. Values below follow EN 485-2 / ASTM B209 minimums for the common gauges; your mill certificate shows actual results per heat.
| Temper | Product | Tensile strength (MPa) | 0.2% proof strength (MPa) | Elongation A50/A5D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | sheet 0.5–6.0 mm | 275–350 | ≥125 | ≥16 % |
| H111 | sheet / plate | 275–350 | ≥125 | ≥14 % |
| H112 | plate ≤ 12.5 mm | ≥270 | ≥115 | ≥12 % |
| H112 | plate 12.5–75 mm | ≥270 | ≥115 | ≥10 % |
| H116 | sheet/plate ≤ 12.7 mm | ≥305 | ≥215 | ≥10 % |
| H321 | plate ≤ 12.7 mm | 305–380 | 215–295 | ≥12 % |
| H321 | plate 12.7–50 mm | 305–380 | 215–295 | ≥10 % |
| H34 | sheet 0.5–6.0 mm | ≥340 | ≥250 | ≥6 % |
Full strength, hardness and fatigue data for all alloys are in our aluminum mechanical properties chart. Temper logic is explained in decoding aluminum temper designations.
Choosing the Right Temper — H116 vs H321 vs O/H111 vs H112
This is the most common specification question we get from shipyards and tank builders. Use this decision table:
| Temper | Delivery condition | Best for | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| O / H111 | Fully annealed / stress-relieved by controlled stretch | Deep-formed hull sections, bows, complex panels | Maximum formability before welding; strength recovers in weld zone |
| H112 | Hot-rolled, as-fabricated | General welded fabrication, tank shells, crane parts | Economical, stable, minimum properties everywhere |
| H116 | Strain-hardened + stabilised, seawater-rated | Hull plating, bottom shells, wet-deck plating | Guaranteed resistance to exfoliation corrosion after seawater exposure |
| H321 | Thermally stabilised | Structural frames, deckhouses, superstructures | Same strength class as H116 with controlled stabilisation for elevated service |
| H34 | Strain-hardened + stabilised | High-strength formed sheet parts, brackets | Highest sheet strength where forming is moderate |
Buyer tip: classification societies (DNV, ABS, LR, BV, CCS) require H116 or H321 for shell plating in contact with seawater. Ordering O temper plate for a hull skin will fail plan approval even though it welds beautifully — always check the class drawing notes before you request a quote.
Dimensions, Tolerances & Weight per Plate
Nothing derails a fabrication schedule faster than out-of-tolerance plate. HXM controls thickness, flatness and diagonal to EN 485-3/-4 and ASTM B209 Annex, and sawn plate can be ordered to ±1.0 mm length/width for CNC-ready nesting.
| Dimension | Tolerance class | Typical capability |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness 0.5–3.0 mm | EN 485-3 normal / special | ±0.04–0.08 mm |
| Thickness 3.0–6.0 mm | EN 485-3 normal / special | ±0.08–0.15 mm |
| Thickness 6.0–25 mm | EN 485-3 | ±0.20–0.50 mm |
| Thickness 25–200 mm | EN 485-3 (sawn) | ±0.5–2.0 mm |
| Width / length (sawn) | custom | ±1.0 mm on request |
| Flatness | EN 485-4 | ≤3 mm/m plate; 5 mm/m sheet |
| Diagonality | EN 485-4 | ≤1.5 mm per metre of side |
| Plate size (mm) | Weight per piece (kg) | Pieces per 20 ft container (≈25 t) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 × 1500 × 3000 | 36.6 | ~600 |
| 6 × 1500 × 6000 | 146.3 | ~170 |
| 8 × 2000 × 6000 | 259.9 | ~96 |
| 10 × 2000 × 6000 | 324.9 | ~76 |
| 12 × 2000 × 8000 | 519.8 | ~48 |
| 20 × 2000 × 8000 | 866.4 | ~28 |
Weights use 2.71 g/cm³ density. Full formulas and unit-weight charts are in our aluminum weight calculation guide — useful for checking freight quotes before you commit.
Seawater Corrosion Resistance & Marine Certification
5083 dominates hull construction because magnesium above 3 % promotes a protective, self-healing oxide while copper is kept below 0.10 % so no cathodic sites form. Practical performance buyers can specify and audit:
| Property / test | 5083 performance | How we verify it |
|---|---|---|
| General seawater corrosion | Excellent — negligible pitting in splash and immersion zones | ASTM B117 salt-spray 1,000 h, report on request |
| Exfoliation corrosion | H116/H321 tempers pass EXA rating | ASTM G34 EXCO test per lot for marine tempers |
| Stress-corrosion cracking | Resistant in H116/H321; avoid over-aged cold work in H38 for critical weldments | ASTM G47 on request |
| Galvanic behaviour | Anodic to steel — works as sacrificial protection at joints; insulate against copper | Design review support |
| Cryogenic behaviour | No embrittlement at −196 °C; strength rises ~10 % at LNG temperatures | Charpy/impact data on request |
HXM produces marine tempers under DNV, ABS, LR, BV and CCS recognised quality systems. For class-ordered material we add the society’s stamp to the mill certificate and, where required, arrange third-party witness testing before shipment.
Welding, Cutting & Forming 5083 Plate
5083 welds with standard GMAW (MIG) and GTAW (TIG) processes. The weld zone softens to roughly O-temper strength (~275 MPa class), so designs allow for it — a key point our engineering team checks when reviewing customer drawings. Filler selection drives joint performance:
| Filler wire | When to use | Resulting joint |
|---|---|---|
| ER5183 (5083-matched) | Best strength on 5083-to-5083 structural welds | Highest as-welded strength; matches base metal corrosion |
| ER5356 | General 5xxx welding, better feedability, cosmetic anodising match | Slightly lower strength (~10 %), excellent crack resistance |
| ER5556 | High-strength marine and defence welds | Very high joint strength, tight Mg control |
| ER4043 | Not recommended for 5083 structural welds | Low joint ductility and lower corrosion in high-Mg joints |
| Process | Typical setup for 6 mm 5083 plate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MIG (GMAW) | 1.2 mm ER5183, ~200–230 A, Ar shielding 15–18 L/min | Pulse mode reduces porosity on plate |
| TIG (GTAW AC) | 3.2–4.0 mm ER5183 rod, ~180–220 A, AC balance 65–70 % | Clean, precise work for thin-to-medium plate |
| Preheat | Not required above 5 °C ambient | Below 5 °C, preheat 50–80 °C to drive off condensation |
| Interpass temp | ≤ 150 °C | Protects H116/H321 properties in HAZ |
For cutting, laser and waterjet both work below 12 mm; plasma is standard for thicker plate. Full parameter sets: how to cut aluminum and aluminum welding guide. If your wire demand is recurring, our 5356 aluminum welding wire and ER5183 wire pages carry spool and tolerance details.
Where 5083 Sheet & Plate Earn Their Keep
Every application below maps to a temper and a thickness window we ship weekly — send the closest match and we’ll confirm feasibility within 24 hours.
| Application | Typical thickness | Recommended temper | Buyer’s pain point we solve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ship hull & bottom shell plating | 4–25 mm | H116 | Class-approved material with EXCO-tested exfoliation resistance |
| Deckhouses & superstructures | 3–10 mm | H321 / H112 | Flat plate that stays flat after welding |
| LNG / cryogenic tank shells | 8–40 mm | O / H112 | Toughness at −162 °C with full traceability |
| Pressure vessels & road tankers | 5–30 mm | H111 / H112 | EN 10204 3.1 certs accepted by notified bodies |
| Mould & tooling plates | 25–200 mm | H112 (sawn) | Stress-relieved, UT-tested, ±1 mm sawn sizes |
| Rail car bodies & truck tipper bodies | 3–12 mm | H111 / H321 | Weight savings with weldable, formable plate |
| Storage tanks & chemical plant | 4–20 mm | O / H112 | Anodic behaviour protects adjacent steel |
From Plate to Structure — What Good 5083 Fabrication Looks Like
The photos below show welded 5083 structures built from mill plate shipped by HXM. Note the clean weld ripples and absence of porosity — the direct result of matched filler metal, clean joint prep and controlled interpass temperature.
5083 vs 5052 vs 5086 vs 6061 — Choosing Without Guesswork
Buyers rarely ask “is 5083 good?” — they ask “is 5083 worth the premium over 5052 for my build?” This comparison settles it:
| Property | 5083 | 5052 | 5086 | 6061-T6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical strength (MPa) | 275–350+ | 170–230 | 240–305 | up to 310 |
| Seawater corrosion | Outstanding | Excellent | Excellent | Fair — not for immersion |
| Weld joint efficiency | ~90 % (ER5183) | ~85 % (ER5356) | ~90 % | ~70 % (loses T6 in HAZ) |
| Formability (O/H111) | Good | Excellent | Good | Poor — cracks on tight radii |
| Exfoliation rating (H116/H321) | PASS per ASTM G34 | Not required | PASS | N/A |
| Sweet spot | Hulls, tanks, heavy marine | Small boats, fuel tanks, truck bodies | Weld-heavy marine structures | Machined, dry structural parts |
Deep-dive comparisons: 5052 vs 5083 for marine applications · 5083 vs 6061 tube/pipe selection · 5052 sheet complete guide. We also stock sibling forms — 5052 sheets, 5056 sheets, 5154 sheets, 6061 sheets and 7075 sheets.
Quality Control — What Gets Checked Before Your Plate Ships
Procurement teams lose days to suppliers whose certificates don’t match the goods. HXM’s QC loop is built to survive class surveyor and third-party inspection:
| Checkpoint | Method | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical composition | Optical emission spectrometry | Every heat + product sample |
| Mechanical properties | Tensile test per EN 10002 / ASTM E8 | Every batch per temper/thickness |
| Thickness & flatness | Laser gauge + straightedge survey | 100 % online, spot records |
| Ultrasonic testing (plate ≥ 12 mm) | UT per EN 10160 class S1/E1 on request | Per plate when specified |
| Exfoliation (H116/H321) | ASTM G34 EXCO | Per lot for marine tempers |
| Surface & edge | Visual + eddy current for defects | 100 % |
| Traceability | Heat number on every plate + certificate | 100 % |
Export Packaging & Delivery Options
Sheet and plate damage in transit is a procurement cost nobody budgets for. Standard HXM export packing:
- Interleaved protection: PVC film on sheet surfaces; paper or foam interleaving on polished faces.
- Wooden cradles & cases: ISPM-15 fumigated timber, steel-strapped, with edge protectors.
- Plate handling: lifting eyes or slings arranged for container cranes; plates laid flat, never on edge.
- Container optimisation: 20 ft loads to 25 t; flat-rack or break-bulk for plates > 2,400 mm wide.
- Documents: commercial invoice, packing list, EN 10204 3.1 MTC, certificate of origin, marine class certificate where ordered.
Incoterms: FOB Shanghai/Ningbo, CIF, DAP — quoted in the same 24-hour response as the material price. Price drivers are broken down in our 2026 aluminum price & market guide.
What Drives 5083 Plate Pricing — and the 8-Point RFQ That Gets You a Firm Quote
5083 plate quotes move with LME aluminium plus a conversion spread that depends on these factors:
| Price factor | Impact | How to optimise |
|---|---|---|
| LME base price | ±10–15 % swing month to month | Ask for LME-referenced formula pricing on frame agreements |
| Thickness | Thin sheet carries more rolling cost/kg | Standard gauge steps (3/4/5/6/8/10/12 mm) are cheapest |
| Width & length | Non-standard sizes need special casting | 2,000 × 6,000 mm is the global sweet spot |
| Temper & testing | H116/H321 + EXCO testing adds process time | Order marine tempers only where class requires |
| Sawn sizes | Cutting + handling per piece | Order full plates and cut in-house if you have capacity |
| Order quantity | 500 kg MOQ vs full container | Container pricing is 8–15 % lower per kg than LCL |
Send this checklist and we answer with a firm FOB/CIF price in 24 hours:
- Alloy + temper (or let us recommend — see the temper table above)
- Thickness × width × length, and number of pieces or total tonnage
- Application and, for marine, the classification society
- Standard to be met (ASTM B209 / EN 485 / GB/T 3880)
- Certificate needs — EN 10204 3.1 minimum; UT, EXCO, third-party?
- Surface — mill finish / PVC film / sawn edges
- Destination port and Incoterm
- Target order date and delivery schedule
Why Buyers Source 5083 Plate from HXM
- One mill, all forms: 5083 coil, 5083 sheet & plate (this page), 5083 tubes, 5083 bars and matching wire — consolidate containers and cut freight per kilo.
- Marine certification workflow: DNV/ABS/LR/BV/CCS production with society-stamped certificates, arranged before shipment, not promised after.
- Traceable certificates: EN 10204 3.1 with real heat numbers on every plate — audit-ready at delivery.
- Real tolerances: special flatness and ±1 mm sawn sizes quoted honestly, with pre-shipment dimension reports.
- 24-hour quotation: firm LME-referenced pricing against the 8-point RFQ above.
- Mixed-container expertise: plate + tube + welding wire in one load is routine for our export desk.
Frequently Asked Questions About 5083 Sheet & Plate
What is the difference between 5083 sheet and 5083 plate?
Convention: up to 6.0 mm thick is sheet; above 6.0 mm is plate. Properties are the same alloy — the difference matters for tolerance class, ultrasonic testing (specified for thick plate) and how the material is cut and packed.
Which temper should I order for a ship hull?
Hull plating in contact with seawater requires H116 (or H321) under DNV, ABS, LR, BV and CCS rules, because those tempers are stabilised and pass exfoliation testing. Interior non-wetted structure can use H112 or H111. Always confirm against the class-approved drawing.
Is 5083 better than 5052 for boat building?
For hulls and structural marine work, yes: 5083 is roughly 30 % stronger in comparable tempers and is the alloy class societies specify for shell plating. 5052 remains excellent for small craft, fuel tanks and formed parts where maximum formability matters more than strength. Full comparison: our 5052 vs 5083 buyer’s guide.
Can 5083 plate be bent or formed?
O and H111 tempers form well — minimum bend radius around 1.5–2× thickness for 90° bends at room temperature. H116/H321 plate is not meant for bending; design those parts as welded fabrications from plate instead. Bending parameters by alloy: see our bending & forming guide.
What is the maximum thickness HXM can supply?
Up to 200 mm thick plate, sawn to custom lengths up to 12,000 mm. Above ~12 mm we recommend specifying ultrasonic testing to EN 10160 so internal soundness is documented for heavy sections.
Does 5083 aluminum rust or corrode in seawater?
Aluminium doesn’t rust; 5083 forms a self-healing oxide that resists seawater corrosion outstandingly. H116/H321 tempers additionally guarantee resistance to exfoliation corrosion. Galvanic design matters: 5083 is anodic to steel and cathodic to zinc — insulate from copper alloys.
What certificates come with a 5083 shipment?
Every shipment includes an EN 10204 3.1 mill certificate (actual chemistry and mechanicals), dimensional report and packing list. Marine orders add the class society certificate (DNV/ABS/LR/BV/CCS); UT and EXCO test reports where specified.
Is 5083 suitable for LNG or cryogenic tanks?
Yes — 5083 is the standard cryogenic aluminium: no brittle transition, strength actually increases at −162 °C, and O/H112 tempers combine toughness with weldability. Tank shell design follows EN 13458 / ASME Code Case; we supply O temper with full traceability for these projects.
How much does 5083 plate weigh per square metre?
Multiply thickness in mm by 2.71: 6 mm plate weighs 16.3 kg/m², 12 mm weighs 32.5 kg/m². Our weight calculation guide has the full formula set including bars, tubes and coils.
What is the MOQ and lead time?
MOQ is 500 kg per alloy-thickness combination; stock sizes can ship faster. Production lead time is 15–28 days depending on thickness and testing scope, plus 25–35 days sea transit to most destinations.
Can I get 5083 plate cut to size before shipping?
Yes — sawn plates to ±1.0 mm width/length, including bevelled edges for welding on request. Specify a cutting layout with your RFQ and we quote machining separately; this often saves buyers labour versus cutting in-house.
What filler wire should I weld 5083 with?
ER5183 gives the strongest, corrosion-matched joint on 5083; ER5356 is the general-purpose alternative with better feedability. Avoid ER4043 on structural 5083 welds — joint ductility and corrosion suffer in high-magnesium alloys.
Is 5083 weldable to 6061 or steel?
5083 welds to 6061 fine with ER5356 (accepting HAZ softening of the 6061 side). 5083-to-steel requires bimetallic transition inserts — direct aluminium-to-steel fusion welds are brittle. Our engineering desk reviews mixed-metal joints free of charge with your RFQ.
Does welding reduce the strength of H116 plate?
The heat-affected zone locally anneals to roughly O-temper strength (~275 MPa class). Design codes account for this with weld joint efficiency factors (~0.9 for 5083). For highly loaded weldments, some builders choose 5086 for better HAZ retention — see our 5086 bar page for that alloy’s profile.
How is 5083 plate packed for sea freight?
PVC-filmed surfaces, paper interleaving on dressed faces, ISPM-15 wooden cradles or cases, steel strapping and edge protectors. Plates lie flat with lifting arrangements for container cranes; oversized plates go on flat racks.
Can you supply 5083 coil or tube to match the plate?
Yes — we produce 5083 in coil, sheet/plate, tube, bar and welding wire from the same alloy family, so plating, piping, structure and consumables arrive under one mill certificate system and one shipment. See the related product links below.
Related 5083 Products & In-Depth Guides
- 5083 Aluminum Coils — coil-fed forming and cladding stock
- 5083 Aluminum Tubes — seawater piping, fuel and hydraulic lines
- 5083 Aluminum Bars — H321 round bar for shafts and fittings
- 5052 Sheets & Plates · 5056 Sheets · 5154 Sheets
- Aluminum Checker Plate · Perforated Sheets · Honeycomb Panels
- 5083 Marine Grade Aluminum: Definitive Guide — the alloy-level master reference
- 5052 vs 5083 for Marine Applications — buyer’s comparison
- 5083 vs 6061 Tube & Pipe — alloy selection logic
- Aluminum Welding Guide · Corrosion Resistance Guide · Temper Designations Explained
- Aluminum Price Trends 2026 · Weight Calculation Guide · How to Source Aluminum from China
- How to Cut Aluminum · Bending & Forming Guide · Machining & CNC Guide
- Aluminum Coil Complete Guide · Aluminum Strip Guide · Aluminum Bar & Rod Guide
- All Aluminum Sheets · Aluminum Tubes · Aluminum Strips · Aluminum Bars
- All HXM Aluminum Products · Contact the Factory
Get Your 5083 Sheet & Plate Quote in 24 Hours
Send the 8-point RFQ from Section 14 — or just your drawing and target port. We reply with a firm LME-referenced price, mill certificate samples and packing photos within 24 hours. Marine orders include class-society coordination at no extra charge.
