Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112: Key Differences, Uses and Buying Guide

If you work with marine aluminium, pressure vessels, transport equipment, or welded structures, you will likely come across two common tempers: Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112.

At first glance, they appear very similar. Both belong to the 5083 aluminium-magnesium alloy family and are known for strong corrosion resistance, especially in seawater environments. They are widely used in plates, sheets, and structural components.

However, in real-world applications, the choice between 5083 H111 and 5083 H112 can influence formability, mechanical stability, welding behavior, and overall project cost.

This article breaks down the practical differences between Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112, where each temper is typically applied, and the key points to consider before ordering.

Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112: Main Differences

Aluminium 5083 H111 vs H112 comparison chart

Item	5083 H111	5083 H112
Temper	Slightly strain-hardened	Strain-hardened (plate processing)
Formability	Better for bending & forming	Moderate, less forming-focused
Typical Use	Marine sheets, formed parts	Thick plates, structural parts
Key Advantage	Excellent fabrication flexibility	Better for heavy-duty plate use
Common Features	Excellent corrosion resistance & weldability

How to Choose Between Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112

The right temper mainly depends on how the material will be processed and used.

Choose 5083 H111 if:

You need bending or forming
Good ductility is important
The material will be rolled or shaped
You use sheet or medium-thickness plate
The structure requires better fabrication flexibility

Choose 5083 H112 if:

You need thick aluminium plate
The material will mainly be cut or welded
Higher structural strength is preferred
The application involves marine or heavy-duty structures
Forming work is minimal

In many projects, H111 is preferred for formed components, while H112 is commonly used for thicker structural plates and welded constructions.

What Is Aluminium 5083?

Aluminium 5083 is a high-magnesium aluminium alloy widely used in marine and industrial applications. It is known for excellent corrosion resistance, strong welding performance and good mechanical strength.

Due to its resistance to seawater and harsh environments, 5083 aluminium is commonly used for marine structures, transport equipment and pressure vessels.

Common product names include:

EN AW-5083
AA 5083
5083 marine grade aluminium
5083 aluminium plate
5083 aluminium sheet

Typical applications:

Shipbuilding and boat hulls
Marine structures and decks
Pressure vessels and storage tanks
LNG and cryogenic equipment
Truck bodies and trailers
Offshore platforms
Welded structural components

5083 remains one of the most widely used marine aluminium alloys because it combines strength, corrosion resistance and good fabrication performance.

What Does H111 Mean in Aluminium 5083 H111?

H111 is a lightly strain-hardened temper. Compared with fully hardened tempers, it provides better flexibility and forming performance.

5083 H111 is commonly chosen for applications that require:

Bending and forming
Good ductility
Reliable welding performance
Strong corrosion resistance
Stable fabrication properties

Because of its balanced mechanical properties, H111 is widely used for fabricated marine and structural components.

Common Uses of 5083 H111

Boat hull panels
Marine structural parts
Formed aluminium components
Welded tanks
Vehicle body panels
Fabricated structural plates

If the project involves rolling, bending, shaping or welding, 5083 H111 is often a practical choice.

What Does H112 Mean in Aluminium 5083 H112?

H112 is a temper typically supplied after hot working or limited strain hardening. It is commonly used for thicker aluminium plates and structural applications.

5083 H112 is often selected for:

Thick aluminium plates
Heavy structural applications
Machined components
Marine plate projects
Large welded structures

Compared with H111, H112 is more commonly used where forming is limited and structural performance is more important.

Common Uses of 5083 H112

Shipbuilding plates
Offshore structures
Pressure vessel plates
Storage tanks
Industrial support structures
Marine equipment bases

For thick plate fabrication and welded structural use, 5083 H112 is a widely used commercial temper.

Mechanical Properties of Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112

The mechanical properties of 5083 aluminium can vary depending on plate thickness, production process and supply standard.

Before purchasing, it is important to confirm the actual test values on the mill test certificate (MTC).

Key properties usually checked include:

Tensile strength
Yield strength
Elongation
Hardness
Thickness tolerance
Flatness and surface quality

In practical applications:

5083 H111 is commonly used when bending, forming and higher elongation are required.
5083 H112 is more often selected for thick plates and welded structural applications.

For marine, offshore or pressure vessel projects, material selection should follow the required standards and certifications, such as EN, ASTM or classification society specifications.

Mechanical Properties of 5083-H111 vs 5083-H112 Aluminum

Property	5083-H111 Aluminum	5083-H112 Aluminum
Brinell Hardness	75	75
Elastic (Young's) Modulus	68 GPa	68 GPa
Elongation at Break	13%	13%
Fatigue Strength	120 MPa	110 MPa
Poisson's Ratio	0.33	0.33
Shear Modulus	26 GPa	26 GPa
Shear Strength	180 MPa	180 MPa
Tensile Strength (Ultimate UTS)	300 MPa	300 MPa
Tensile Strength (Yield / Proof)	150 MPa	130 MPa

Corrosion Resistance in Marine Environments

One of the biggest reasons engineers choose Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112 is corrosion resistance.

5083 performs very well in:

Seawater
Coastal environments
Marine atmospheres
Industrial conditions
Low-temperature environments

This makes it a trusted material for shipbuilding, offshore equipment and marine tanks.

However, good corrosion performance also depends on correct fabrication. Poor welding practice, contamination, wrong filler metal or unsuitable surface treatment can reduce service life. For marine projects, it is important to use proper welding procedures and avoid contact with incompatible metals that may cause galvanic corrosion.

Weldability of Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112

Both tempers have excellent weldability. This is one of the major advantages of 5083 aluminium.

Common welding methods include:

MIG welding
TIG welding
Friction stir welding
Automated aluminium welding

Common filler metals may include:

5183
5356
5556

The right filler depends on strength requirements, corrosion resistance and service environment.

One important point: 5083 is non-heat-treatable. Welding can affect the local mechanical properties around the heat-affected zone, but the alloy still performs well in welded structures when the procedure is correct.

For shipbuilding or pressure vessel applications, welding procedures should be qualified according to the relevant standards.

Which Is Better for Bending: 5083 H111 or H112?

For bending and forming, Aluminium 5083 H111 is usually the better choice.

Why?

Because H111 generally provides better formability and more predictable behavior during fabrication. It is commonly used when plates or sheets need to be bent, rolled or shaped before welding.

That said, successful bending depends on several factors:

Plate thickness
Bend radius
Grain direction
Tooling condition
Surface quality
Bending temperature
Required final shape

If the bending radius is too tight, cracking can occur even with a suitable temper. For critical parts, testing a sample before mass production is a smart step.

Which Is Better for Thick Plate: 5083 H111 or H112?

For thick aluminium plate, 5083 H112 is very commonly used.

H112 is suitable for heavy plate applications where the material will be cut, machined, welded or assembled rather than deeply formed.

Typical examples include:

Marine structural plates
Offshore platforms
Heavy welded frames
Tank components
Machined base plates
Pressure vessel parts

If your project requires thick plate with good corrosion resistance and weldability, 5083 H112 is often a practical choice.

Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112 in Shipbuilding

Aluminium 5083 is widely used in marine construction because of its excellent resistance to seawater corrosion, high strength and reliable weldability.

Typical marine applications include:

Hull plating
Deck structures
Bulkheads
Superstructures
Work boats
Patrol vessels
Passenger ferries
Fishing boats
Offshore support vessels

In practical fabrication, 5083 H111 is often selected for parts that require bending, rolling or forming. 5083 H112 is more commonly used for thicker structural plates where higher strength is preferred.

Marine aluminium plates may also require approval from classification societies depending on the project specification.

DNV
ABS
Lloyd’s Register
Bureau Veritas
CCS
RINA

For commercial vessels and offshore structures, mill test certificates and traceability documents are usually mandatory.

Our marine grade aluminum sheets are certified by globally recognized classification societies, ensuring compliance with shipbuilding and offshore engineering standards.

ABS Certificate
BV Certificate
CCS Certificate
DNV Certificate
RINA Certificate
LR Certificate

Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112 for Pressure Vessel Applications

Aluminium 5083 is also used in pressure vessels and storage systems thanks to its combination of strength, corrosion resistance and good low-temperature performance.

Common applications include:

LNG storage tanks
Cryogenic vessels
Chemical tanks
Fuel tanks
Road tankers
Industrial pressure equipment

For pressure equipment, material compliance and certification are usually more important than small price differences between tempers.

Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112 are both excellent choices for marine, structural, tank and welded applications. They share the same alloy base, but their temper differences matter.

If your project needs bending, forming or shaped parts, 5083 H111 is usually the better fit. If you need thick plate, machining or heavy welded structures, 5083 H112 is often the practical choice.

The best decision depends on thickness, fabrication method, standards and service environment. For critical applications, always confirm the material certificate and technical requirements before production.

FAQ: Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112

What is the difference between Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112?

The main difference is the temper condition. 5083 H111 is slightly strain-hardened and is generally easier to form. 5083 H112 is more commonly used for thicker plates and structural parts where higher strength and stability are required.

Is 5083 H111 suitable for marine applications?

Yes. 5083 H111 offers excellent resistance to seawater corrosion and is widely used in shipbuilding, hull structures and marine fabrication.

Is 5083 H112 suitable for welding?

Yes. 5083 H112 has good weldability and is commonly used in welded structures such as tanks, marine frames and heavy plate assemblies.

Which temper is better for bending and forming?

5083 H111 is generally preferred for bending and forming operations because it provides better ductility and elongation compared to H112.

Which temper is more suitable for thick aluminium plates?

5083 H112 is more commonly used for thick plates, especially in structural applications where cutting, welding and machining are required.

Can Aluminium 5083 H111 and H112 be used for pressure vessels?

Yes, but only when the material complies with the required pressure vessel standards. Mechanical properties, thickness requirements, traceability and certification must be confirmed before use.

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