Technical Comparison of Aluminium Alloys: 5754, 5083, 6082, 6060

LAMEC Officine regularly works with five aluminium alloys for sheet metal and tube: EN AW-5754 (H111, H114, H22), EN AW-5083 (H111), EN AW-6082 (T6) and EN AW-6060 (T5, T6).

Below is a technical comparison of mechanical properties, formability and corrosion resistance, useful for selecting the most suitable alloy for your project. The company is based in Sogliano al Rubicone (FC), Italy. For laser cutting and CNC bending, see the Services page.

For information on laser cutting, CNC bending capacity and in-stock materials for these alloys, see the Laser Cutting and Aluminium Bending page.

Technical document

1. Mechanical properties and formability

Comparison of the main mechanical and processing properties of the aluminium alloys used by LAMEC Officine, broken down by sheet metal products and by tube/profiles. Figures are indicative, drawn from standard and technical reference data; for design applications, refer to the current editions of the cited standards.

1.1 Sheet metal

Indicative mechanical properties per EN 485-2, with formability, weldability and corrosion resistance for the alloys most commonly used in sheet metal fabrication.

*EN AW-6082 T6: reduced mechanical properties in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) after welding.

Technical notes — sheet metal

• EN AW-5754 H111 is the most versatile choice for operations requiring high formability and excellent weldability, with good corrosion resistance in atmospheric conditions and moderate chemical exposure.
• EN AW-5754 H22 offers a higher yield strength than H111 due to partial strain hardening, while retaining good bendability. Corrosion resistance is comparable to H111.
• EN AW-5083 H111 is suited to structural applications and severe environments, including marine environments: it offers the best corrosion resistance among the 5000-series alloys.
• EN AW-6082 T6 is the high-strength structural alloy of the 6000 series. Bending is not recommended except with large radii (generally r ≥ 3t), due to reduced ductility in the T6 temper. In humid or saline environments, surface protection (anodising or painting) is recommended.

1.2 Tube and profiles

Indicative mechanical properties per EN 755-2 for the alloys most commonly used in tube and extruded profile fabrication.

Technical notes — tube and formability

• EN AW-6060 T6 is less suited to bending operations due to lower ductility in this specific metallurgical temper.
• For applications requiring curving, the T5 temper or a 5000-series alloy (e.g. EN AW-5754 H32) is preferable.

1.3 Reference standards

The EN standards cited are adopted in Italy as national UNI EN standards.

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Technical document – Rev. 02

2. Corrosion resistance

Alloys covered in this comparison: EN AW-5754 H111 · EN AW-5754 H22 · EN AW-5083 H111 · EN AW-6082 T6 · EN AW-6060 T5. Alloys are designated per EN 573-1 (numerical designation) and temper conditions per EN 515. Chemical composition limits are those of EN 573-3. Product mechanical properties are defined by EN 485-2 (sheet, strip and plate) and EN 755-2 (extruded bar, tube and profiles). The behaviour of welded structures should be assessed per EN 1999-1-1 (Eurocode 9).

2.1 Reference standards

2.2 Summary – Corrosion resistance

Concise classification of the five alloys by general corrosion, post-weld behaviour, and suitability for marine or aggressive environments.

2.3 Corrosion mechanisms: HAZ, stress corrosion and intergranular corrosion

Higher-magnesium alloys (5083 and, at the upper end of the range, 5754) should not be exposed for prolonged periods to temperatures above approximately 65 °C, due to the risk of sensitisation and stress corrosion cracking (SCC).

2.4 Chemical composition (standard limits, % by mass)

Values per EN 573-3. The low copper content (Cu ≤ 0.10%) across all these alloys reduces the risk of internal galvanic corrosion. In the 5xxx alloys, magnesium determines mechanical strength and, at higher levels, temperature sensitivity. Temper conditions do not alter the composition limits.

2.5 Technical notes and application recommendations

2.6 Conclusions and recommendations

Outdoor applications, aerial work platforms, marine or humid environments.
The 5xxx alloys (EN AW-5754 and EN AW-5083) offer the best corrosion resistance, and welding does not compromise their anti-corrosion performance. EN AW-5754 (H111 or H22) is LAMEC Officine's standard choice; EN AW-5083 H111 is selected when higher mechanical strength is required, subject to the temperature limit.

High-strength structures, controlled environments.
EN AW-6082 T6 offers the best mechanical properties among the alloys considered, but requires surface protection (anodising or painting per EN ISO 12944) in aggressive environments. EN AW-6060 T5 has lower mechanical strength but better corrosion behaviour than 6082. For the 6xxx alloys, the HAZ reduction factors set out in EN 1999-1-1 should be applied at the design stage.

Welding quality.
LAMEC Officine performs welding per EN ISO 3834-2, with procedures qualified per EN ISO 15614-2 and welders qualified per EN ISO 9606-2.

The data in this page are indicative and reference the standards cited; for design applications, refer to the current editions of the standards and to the assessment of the responsible design engineer.