EN AW-5083 H116 is a marine-grade aluminum alloy in the 5xxx series, known for its excellent seawater corrosion resistance, high strength, and superior weldability. The H116 temper is specifically designed and strictly tested for marine environments, ensuring enhanced resistance to exfoliation corrosion and long-term durability in shipbuilding and offshore structural applications.
Alloy Series: 5xxx (Al-Mg)
European Standard: EN 573-3 / EN 485
Temper: H116 (Marine certified, strain-hardened)
Key Feature: Absolute seawater corrosion resistance without coating
Typical Use: Shipbuilding hulls, offshore platforms, LNG vessels
What Does H116 Mean in 5083 Aluminum?
Understanding the temper designation is critical. 5083 is a non-heat-treatable alloy, meaning it gets its strength from cold working (strain hardening) rather than thermal heat treatment.
So, what exactly does "H116" signify?
- H = Strain hardened: The metal is strengthened through physical rolling at room temperature.
- 1 = Controlled processing: It indicates a specific sequence of cold rolling and temperature control.
- 16 = Marine-grade corrosion resistance requirement: This is the most crucial part. The "16" designation means the alloy has been specifically processed and strictly tested (usually against ASTM G66) to guarantee it will not suffer from continuous magnesium precipitation, which causes severe exfoliation corrosion in saltwater.
Conclusion: The H116 temper ensures improved resistance to exfoliation and intergranular corrosion in harsh marine environments compared to standard industrial tempers.
Do you need to verify if H116 meets the exact specifications of your shipyard's blueprint? Contact our technical team to request the complete EN 573 material datasheet today.
Chemical Composition of EN AW-5083
The exceptional performance of 5083-H116 is driven by its high magnesium content. Magnesium is the primary alloying element that provides both strength and natural defense against saltwater.
| Element | Content Range (%) | Core Function |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 4.0 – 4.9 | Provides high strength and marine corrosion resistance |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40 – 1.0 | Enhances tensile strength and weld integrity |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.05 – 0.25 | Aids in stress corrosion cracking resistance |
| Silicon + Iron (Si + Fe) | ≤ 0.40 | Strictly controlled impurities to prevent brittleness |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.25 | Impurity limit |
| Aluminum (Al) | Remainder | Base material |
Mechanical Properties of 5083 H116
Engineers specify EN AW-5083 H116 because it offers the highest strength among non-heat-treatable alloys. Below are the standard mechanical properties for plates.
| Property | Standard Value |
| Tensile Strength | ~305 – 315 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~215 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 10% (Allows for hull bending and forming) |
| Brinell Hardness | ~75 HB |
| Density | 2.66 g/cm³ |
5083-H116 provides an excellent balance of high structural load capacity and reliable ductility for marine engineering.
Key Advantages of EN AW-5083 H116
Why do global classification societies (DNV, ABS, LR) prefer this specific grade?
- Excellent Seawater Corrosion Resistance: It requires no protective paint or thick coatings, significantly reducing long-term maintenance costs for fleet owners.
- High Strength After Welding: Unlike 6061 aluminum, which loses up to 50% of its strength when welded, 5083-H116 retains nearly all its mechanical strength in the heat-affected zone (HAZ).
- Outstanding Weldability: It is easily welded using standard TIG/MIG processes (typically with 5183 or 5356 filler wire).
- Good Fatigue Resistance: Capable of absorbing the repetitive, dynamic impacts of ocean waves.
Conclusion: 5083-H116 is specifically engineered for safe, long-term performance in the harshest marine environments on Earth.
Applications of EN AW-5083 H116
Because of its unique metallurgical profile, this alloy dominates the heavy marine and cryogenic sectors.
- Marine & Shipbuilding:
Ship hulls and bottoms (where continuous saltwater contact occurs)
Deck structures and superstructures (reducing the center of gravity of the vessel)
Watertight bulkheads and patrol boat armor
- Offshore & Oil Platforms:
Helipads on drilling rigs
Floating platforms and crew walkways exposed to constant salt spray
- LNG & Cryogenic Tanks:
Low-temperature storage: 5083 actually becomes stronger and tougher at extremely low temperatures (-162°C), making it ideal for Liquefied Natural Gas transport vessels.
Conclusion: EN AW-5083 H116 is the preferred, fail-safe material for critical marine, offshore, and cryogenic applications.
What is the Difference between 5083-H116 vs 5083-H321?
While both are excellent for shipbuilding, they differ slightly in processing and certification focus.
| Property | 5083-H116 | 5083-H321 |
| Processing Focus | Strain hardened with specific temperature controls | Strain hardened and thermally stabilized |
| Corrosion Defense | Excellent (Strictly tested against exfoliation) | Excellent (Microstructure stabilized) |
| Strength Levels | Virtually identical (~315 MPa) | Virtually identical (~315 MPa) |
| Application Preference | The default standard for European DNV/LR certified marine plates | Often specified for high-end pressure vessels and offshore rigs |
Conclusion: H116 is the most commonly specified temper for certified marine hull applications, while H321 offers an additional layer of thermal stabilization for specific offshore designs.
Unsure whether your project requires H116 or H321? Send us your drawing requirements, and our engineers will provide a cost-optimization analysis based on current mill availability.
When Should You Choose 5083-H116?
Making the right material choice ensures safety and compliance. Follow this simple guide:
- Marine or saltwater exposure: If the metal touches the ocean, choose 5083-H116.
- Shipbuilding projects: If you require DNV, ABS, or CCS certification, H116 is the industry standard.
- Heavy welding structures: If your design involves extensive welding and cannot undergo post-weld heat treatment, choose 5083-H116.
Conclusion: 5083-H116 is the absolute best choice when structural reliability, weldability, and saltwater corrosion resistance are non-negotiable.
GNEE Supply Capability
As a professional aluminum manufacturer, GNEE provides highly reliable supply solutions for marine and industrial projects worldwide. We understand that sourcing marine-grade materials can be complex, often plagued by rigid minimum order quantities (MOQs).
To solve this, we operate a flexible supply model:
- Multi-Alloy Supply: We produce 5083, 5052, 5086, 6061, and 7075 simultaneously.
- Versatile Formats: We supply premium marine plates, thin sheets, pipes, extrusions, and bars.
- Mixed Order Support (Core Advantage): You can consolidate different alloys, tempers, and thicknesses into a single shipping container.
- Custom Dimensions: We provide precise cutting for thickness, width, and length to eliminate your secondary machining waste.
Conclusion: GNEE helps customers drastically reduce procurement complexity and freight costs by combining multiple marine alloys and custom sizes in one efficient shipment.
Production & Processing Capability
Marine plates cannot fail in the ocean. GNEE's manufacturing facility is equipped to guarantee the strict EN standards.
- Advanced Hot Rolling Lines: Capable of producing ultra-wide and ultra-thick marine plates.
- High-Precision Leveling: Ensuring maximum flatness, which is critical for automated shipyard welding.
- Thermal Treatment Systems: Accurate annealing furnaces to strictly control the H116 temper.
- Strict Quality Inspection: In-house chemical spectrometry and mechanical testing to guarantee DNV/ABS compliance.
- Secondary Processing: We offer CNC high-speed cutting, automatic sawing, and custom fabrication.
Conclusion: Our state-of-the-art equipment ensures consistent mechanical properties and flawless performance for high-end marine applications.
Packaging & Delivery
Many buyers receive aluminum plates only to find them ruined by white rust during ocean transit. GNEE takes packaging seriously.
- Export-Standard Seaworthy Packaging: Designed to resist high humidity and sea salt during long voyages.
- Moisture Protection: Plates are placed on fumigated wooden pallets, wrapped in waterproof plastic film, and secured with desiccants.
- Surface Protection: Anti-scratch PVC films or paper interleaving can be applied upon request.
Conclusion: We invest heavily in premium packaging, ensuring safe delivery for international shipping and preserving the pristine surface quality of your marine plates.
Stock & Fast Delivery
We maintain a large standing inventory of EN AW-5083 H116 aluminum plates in standard marine dimensions. This allows us to provide rapid delivery for urgent shipyard repairs, while also offering flexible, rapid production scheduling for bulk and mixed orders.
Get a Direct Factory Quote Today
Stop dealing with rigid suppliers. Consolidate your marine aluminum procurement with GNEE. Submit your requirements below for an accurate quote within 24 hours:
- Alloy & Temper: EN AW-5083 H116
- Required Certifications: (e.g., MTC, EN Standard, DNV, ABS)
- Dimensions: (Thickness × Width × Length)
- Quantity: (Pieces or Total Weight)
