What is aluminium 5083?

5083 is a medium-strength aluminium alloy containing magnesium, manganese, and chromium. It belongs to the 5000 series, which includes non-heat-treatable alloys. Instead of undergoing heat treatment, 5083 gains its strength through a controlled rolling process following full annealing.

This alloy is valued for its excellent ductility relative to its strength and performs well compared to other 5000 series grades. It is widely used in engineering and fabrication settings, particularly where corrosion resistance and dimensional stability are important.

Machinability of 5083

5083 aluminium is generally straightforward to machine and performs similarly to other aluminium alloys. Its chips can be sticky, so generous coolant flow is important to reduce galling and tool fusion.

We typically achieve optimal results using high-rake, high-helix cutters, combined with light cuts and higher speeds and feeds. Because alloying content can vary, settings may need to be adjusted between batches.

For CNC turning, high-frequency cycles and pecking routines help break up long swarf and improve chip control. In milling, this is less of an issue. Thread milling is often preferred over tapping to ensure cleaner and more consistent threaded holes.

Equivalent designations and trade names

You may see 5083 aluminium identified under different standards

• International designations: AA 5083 (USA), BS 5083 (UK), DIN AlMg4.5Mn (Germany), EN AW-A 5083 (Europe), JIS A5083P (Japan), NF A5083 (France)
• Common codes: Al Mg4.5Mn0.7, GM41, A95083, BS N8, QQ-A-200/4, DIN 3.3547, UNS A95083

Tooling plate variant

5083 is also available as a cast tooling plate, manufactured for stability and flatness. This variant offers a uniform microstructure, low internal stress, and a ground finish, typically supplied with a protective plastic film. It’s a popular choice for base plates, jig and fixture components, and machine frames where precision and reliability are key.

Main attributes

• Exceptional performance in extreme environments
• Highest strength of all non-treatable aluminium alloys
• Retains excellent strength after welding
• Highly resistant to both seawater and industrial chemical attack
• Not recommended for use in applications which exceed 65°C

Finishing & treatments

5083 is a suitable aluminium grade for successful anodising which offers good protection.

See our Finishing Processes page for further information on services that we can facilitate.

Options include:

• Natural sulphuric anodise
• Colour sulphuric anodise
• Natural hard anodise
• Colour hard anodise

5083 UK stock sizes

5083 grade is not as readily available as the popular commercial grade 6082T6. Stock sizes and volume are more restricted and requires more sourcing.

Example 5083 stock sizes

Stock sizes will vary depending on supplier. Please get in contact to discuss further.

5083 sheet

• 1250 mm x 2500 mm
• Thickness: 0.6 mm to 5.0mm

5083 plate

• 1250 mm x 2500 mm and some 1500 mm x 3000 mm
• Thickness: 4.0 mm to 80 mm, ¼ inch to 3.14 inch

5083 round bar

• Manufactured in 3000mm lengths
• X⅜ inch dia x 10 inch diameter

Note: Flat bar and section are not stocked.

Please note we do not supply stock material, the information provided is purely for design and research purposes.

5083 technical properties

Only two temper types are stocked in the UK. The most common tempers for 5083 aluminium are:

• O - Soft (Sheet and Plate)
• H111 - Some work hardening imparted by shaping processes but less than required for H11 temper

O & H111 aluminium physical properties

O & H111 aluminium mechanical properties

Sheet - 0.2 - 6.3mm thick - Spec: BS EN 485-2:2008

Plate - 6.3mm to 80mm - Spec: BS EN 485-2:2008

Plate - 80mm to 120mm - Spec: BN EN 485-2:2008

Typical 5083 aluminium chemical composition (weight %)

Note for designers

• Size range and availability is far more restricted than 6082 aluminium grade
• Flatness and thickness tolerances vary greatly on extruded plate and bar (up to +1mm on thickness tolerance over a 2000mm length and +10mm on thickness over a 2500mm length).
• 5083 plate is stored in large sheets, one on top of the other. This often results in multiple scratches and gouges in stock faces. This is worth considering when designing a customer facing component.
• Consider the cost implications of buying thicker material and then machining down to size when using 5083.
• If threaded holes are to be used frequently or if in-operation assemblies will vibrate or be under stress, consider the use of wire thread inserts or other thread insert variants
• If components are to be plated or finished in other ways, discuss fixturing arrangements for the process with a competent subcontractor and make detailed notes and reference points on manufacturing drawings.