With the rapid development of the petrochemical and road transportation industries, vehicle weight and safety have become the top priorities for manufacturers. Traditional steel oil tankers are heavy and consume more fuel. Today, manufacturers need materials that offer a high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance against fuels and chemicals, good weldability, and a long service life.
Because of these strict requirements, 5083 aluminum alloy-specifically in the H111 temper-has become the standard and preferred material for tanker trucks, fuel transport trailers, and marine oil tanks.
What is 5083 H111 Aluminum Plate?
The 5083 aluminum alloy belongs to the 5xxx series (Al-Mg series). It is widely known as a marine-grade aluminum because of its high magnesium content (ranging from 4.0% to 4.9%). This non-heat-treatable alloy provides exceptional corrosion resistance and high strength, even in harsh environments like seawater or chemical exposure.
Understanding the H111 Temper
When buying aluminum plate for oil tankers, the temper is just as important as the alloy.
H111 means the material has undergone a slight strain-hardening process after annealing.
Unlike H116 or H321 (which are much harder and mainly used for flat ship hulls), H111 has lower tensile strength but far superior formability.
This makes H111 the ideal state for manufacturing oil tankers. Tanker bodies and bulkheads require extensive bending, rolling, and forming into curved shapes. H111 allows for this deep forming without cracking while still maintaining strong mechanical properties after welding.
Technical Specifications of 5083 H111 Aluminum Plate
To manufacture a high-quality oil tanker, the raw material must have strict dimensional accuracy. Poor thickness or flatness tolerances will cause problems during automated robotic welding. Below is the standard supply range and tolerance control provided by GNEE.
Standard Supply Range
| Parameter | Specification |
| Alloy | 5083 |
| Temper | H111 |
| Thickness | 3 mm – 200 mm |
| Width | 1000 mm – 2800 mm |
| Length | 2000 mm – 12000 mm |
| Flatness | ≤ 3 – 5 mm/m |
Tolerance Control
| Item | Tolerance |
| Thickness | ±0.1 mm – ±0.3 mm |
| Width | ±1 mm – ±3 mm |
| Length | ±2 mm – ±5 mm |
Note: Tight tolerance ensures accurate fabrication of tanker shells, reduces scrap rates, and ensures smooth joint fitting for welding.
Are you evaluating materials for your next oil tanker project? The best way to check formability and weldability is on your own production line. GNEE provides free physical samples of our 5083 H111 aluminum plates.
Chemical Composition of 5083 aluminum Alloy
| Element | Content (%) |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 4.0 – 4.9 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40 – 1.0 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.40 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.40 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.25 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.05 – 0.25 |
| Aluminum (Al) | Balance |
Mechanical Properties of 5083 aluminum
For pressure vessels and liquid transport tanks, the metal must withstand internal liquid surge pressure and external road vibrations. The H111 temper provides the perfect balance.
Typical Mechanical Properties (5083 H111)
| Property | Value |
| Tensile Strength | 270 – 350 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 125 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 12% |
| Density | 2.66 g/cm³ |
Key Advantages for Oil Tanker Applications
1. Lightweight for More Payload
Aluminum has a density of only 2.66 g/cm³, making it about 30% to 40% lighter than steel. A lighter tanker truck consumes less fuel when running empty and can carry significantly more fuel payload per trip while staying within legal highway weight limits.
2. Superior Weldability
5083 H111 is designed for heavy-duty welding. It fully supports MIG (Metal Inert Gas) and TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding methods. Most importantly, it retains a high percentage of its strength in the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) and shows no tendency to crack after welding.
3. Excellent Corrosion Resistance
The inside of a fuel tank is constantly exposed to crude oil, diesel, or chemicals, while the outside faces road salt, moisture, and sometimes seawater. 5083 aluminum naturally forms a protective oxide layer, eliminating the need for expensive anti-corrosion inner coatings.
4. Good Formability
Oil tanker bodies are not flat; they are cylindrical or elliptical. The H111 temper allows the thick aluminum plates to be rolled and pressed into curved tanker bodies and dish-shaped bulkheads (heads) without material fatigue.
5. High Safety Performance
Unlike some steels, 5083 aluminum does not become brittle at low temperatures. It has strong impact resistance, which helps prevent the tank from easily rupturing and spilling dangerous liquids in the event of a traffic collision.
Production Process at GNEE
Manufacturing thick aluminum plates for pressure vessels requires heavy machinery and strict process control. GNEE ensures quality through the following steps:
- Smelting: High-purity aluminum ingots are melted and alloyed.
- DC Casting: Direct Chill casting is used to produce large, high-quality aluminum slabs.
- Hot Rolling & Cold Rolling: Breaking down the slabs to the target thickness.
- Annealing: Precise temperature control is applied to achieve the H111 temper, relieving internal stress.
- Leveling: Ensuring the plate meets the flat tolerance (≤ 3–5 mm/m) for easy welding.
- Precision Cutting: Trimming edges according to customer size requirements.
Surface Quality Requirements
In tank manufacturing, surface defects can lead to welding failures. GNEE guarantees that our 5083 plates meet strict surface standards:
No cracks, bubbles, or corrosion spots.
No deep scratches or edge defects.
Uniform grain structure.
A clean, smooth surface ready for immediate welding preparation.
Quality Inspection & Testing
Safety is non-negotiable for oil and chemical transport. GNEE ensures full compliance with international standards such as ASTM B209 and EN 485. Every batch undergoes rigorous testing:
- Mechanical Testing: We test tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation to ensure structural integrity.
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): For thick plates, we perform Ultrasonic Testing (UT) to detect any internal air pockets or defects that could cause leaks under pressure. Eddy current testing is also available.
- Chemical Analysis: Spectrometer verification ensures the Mg content is exactly within the 4.0-4.9% range.
- Dimensional Inspection: Laser and manual measurements for thickness, width, length, and flatness.
Send us your required thickness, dimensions, and order quantity. We will calculate a transparent, accurate quotation based on today's live SMM aluminum ingot price plus our factory processing fee within 24 hours.
Pricing Mechanism
Your price is calculated using a simple formula:
Final Price = SMM Aluminum Ingot Price + Processing Fee
The SMM (Shanghai Metal Market) price is the live, public benchmark for raw aluminum. The processing fee is determined by our factory costs.
Key Factors Affecting Your Processing Fee:
- Thickness & Plate Size: Standard sizes are cheaper. Extra-wide plates (up to 2800 mm) or ultra-thick plates require more machining time.
- Quantity: We offer bulk discounts for full container loads (FCL) or project-based orders.
- Surface & Tolerance Requirements: Standard vs. custom tolerances.
- Delivery Schedule: Urgent orders may incur different operational costs.
Payment Terms
To facilitate secure international trade, GNEE supports flexible payment options for global buyers:
- T/T (Telegraphic Transfer): 30% deposit in advance and the 70% balance paid against the copy of the Bill of Lading (B/L) before final release.
- L/C (Letter of Credit): 100% Irrevocable LC at sight is accepted for large-scale project orders.
- D/P, D/A or O/A: Available for negotiation with long-term, verified VIP partners.
Packaging & Logistics
Aluminum plates must be protected from moisture during ocean freight, as salt air can cause surface oxidation (white rust), which requires heavy grinding before welding.
Standard Export Packaging:
- Plates are placed on strong, fumigation-certified wooden pallets.
- Wrapped tightly in waterproof kraft paper.
- Covered with a PE plastic film protection layer to seal out moisture.
- Reinforced with strong steel strapping to prevent movement in the container.
Shipping Methods:
Most orders are loaded into standard 20GP or 40HQ containers. For massive project procurements, we arrange bulk vessel shipments. We also offer anti-corrosion VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) film for high-end clients upon request.
Why Choose GNEE?
Procuring metal for oil tankers is a high-risk decision. Buyers in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa choose GNEE because we deliver reliability:
- Flexible Order Capability: Oil tanker production often requires various plate sizes for different parts (body, baffles, heads). We accept multi-size, mixed-specification orders, which is ideal for project-based procurement.
- Strong Production Capacity: With large-scale rolling lines, we maintain a stable monthly output, ensuring fast delivery times even for large contracts.
- Export Expertise: We are deeply familiar with international transport, seaworthy packing standards, and customs clearance procedures.
- Certified Quality: We operate under the ISO 9001 Quality System. Every order comes with a complete Mill Test Certificate (MTC) proving the chemical and mechanical properties.
- Technical Support: Our engineers do more than sell metal. We provide material selection advice, welding recommendations, and cost optimization solutions for your specific tanker design.
FAQ
Ensure your tanker production meets all safety regulations. Contact GNEE today to get a sample Mill Test Certificate (MTC), download our full ISO/ASTM certification documents, or speak directly with our engineers for material selection advice. Send us your project details, and we will reply within 24 hours.