As a manufacturer of marine-grade aluminum products, we produce 5086 H116 and 5086 H117 aluminum plate for shipbuilding, offshore structures, workboats, passenger vessels, and other corrosion-sensitive marine applications. Alloy 5086 is an Al-Mg aluminum alloy developed for welded structures exposed to seawater and humid coastal environments. Its combination of corrosion resistance, moderate-to-high strength, and welding performance makes it a practical material for marine fabrication.

Our 5086 marine aluminum plate is supplied in H116 and H117 tempers, which are commonly specified for plate used in marine service. These tempers are processed and controlled to support stable structural performance in environments where saltwater exposure, vibration, welding, and long-term durability are important considerations.

Why 5086 Aluminum Plate Is Used in Shipbuilding

5086 aluminum plate belongs to the 5xxx series aluminum-magnesium alloy family. Compared with general-purpose aluminum sheet, it is designed for applications requiring stronger resistance to marine atmospheric corrosion and seawater exposure. The alloy retains good mechanical properties after welding, which is especially important for hull structures, decks, bulkheads, superstructures, and fabricated marine components.

For shipyards and marine equipment manufacturers, the material selection process must consider more than nominal strength. Plate flatness, surface condition, grain structure, thickness tolerance, weldability, and traceability can all affect cutting efficiency, forming consistency, and final vessel quality. As a factory, we control these aspects from melting and casting through hot rolling, temper processing, inspection, and packing.

The principal benefits of 5086 H116 aluminum plate include:

• High resistance to seawater and marine atmospheric corrosion.

• Good weldability with commonly used aluminum welding processes.

• Reliable strength for welded ship structures.

• Good formability for marine panels and fabricated components.

• Lower maintenance requirements than many conventional steel structures.

• Reduced structural weight, supporting improved payload or fuel efficiency.

For projects comparing several 5xxx alloys, our 5086 Marine Aluminum product range can be evaluated alongside thickness, temper, and classification documentation requirements.

H116 and H117 Tempers Explained

H116 and H117 are strain-hardened tempers commonly used for marine aluminum plate. They are not interchangeable with simple commercial hard tempers because they are associated with controlled processing and performance requirements for marine service.

5086 H116 Aluminum Plate

5086 H116 aluminum plate is strain-hardened and stabilized for improved resistance to exfoliation corrosion. It is widely used where the plate will be exposed to saltwater, splash zones, humid conditions, or direct marine weathering. H116 is commonly specified for hull plating, decks, shell structures, and other external vessel components.

5086 H117 Aluminum Plate

5086 H117 aluminum plate is also intended for marine applications and is processed to meet specified mechanical property requirements. This temper is often selected for structural parts where project specifications require a marine-qualified plate condition with controlled corrosion resistance and mechanical performance.

The final temper selection should be based on vessel design, plate thickness, welding plan, classification society requirements, and the intended operating environment. Our technical team can review purchase specifications before production to help confirm the suitable 5086 H116 or H117 condition.

Chemical Composition of 5086 Aluminum Alloy

The magnesium content of alloy 5086 provides its characteristic strength and corrosion resistance. Manganese and chromium contribute to grain structure control and overall material stability. The chemical composition is managed during melting and refining to maintain conformity with applicable alloy standards.

Typical Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties of 5086 H116 / H117 aluminum plate vary with plate thickness, applicable standard, and required testing direction. The following values are representative and should not replace project-specific technical specifications.

For engineering procurement, we provide mill test certificates showing actual chemical composition, mechanical test results, dimensions, temper, heat number, and inspection information for each shipment lot.

Available Sizes and Supply Conditions

We manufacture 5086 marine aluminum plate in sizes suitable for marine construction and industrial fabrication. Plate can be supplied as mill-finish material or with processing arrangements according to project requirements.

Large-width and long-length 5086 aluminum plates can reduce the number of welded joints in hull fabrication. However, the optimum plate format should be determined by nesting efficiency, forming equipment, welding sequence, transportation limitations, and vessel design requirements.

Main Applications in Marine Construction

Our 5086 H116 aluminum plate is used in a broad range of marine and offshore fabrications. Its stable corrosion resistance and welding characteristics make it appropriate for both structural and auxiliary components.

Typical applications include:

• Hull plating for workboats, fishing vessels, patrol boats, and passenger craft.

• Deck plates, deckhouses, wheelhouses, and superstructures.

• Bulkheads, partitions, stiffeners, and internal structural panels.

• Gangways, access platforms, ladders, and marine walkways.

• Offshore platform modules and coastal engineering structures.

• Tanks, marine equipment enclosures, and protective panels.

• High-speed vessel structures where weight reduction is a priority.

For applications requiring a higher-strength marine alloy, buyers may also compare 5083 Marine aluminum with 5086 according to design stress, thickness, fabrication method, and certification requirements.

Manufacturing and Quality Control

The quality of shipbuilding aluminum plate depends on consistent control across the production route. We begin with qualified raw materials and controlled alloying, followed by casting, homogenization, hot rolling, cold processing where required, temper treatment, leveling, cutting, and final inspection.

Our production and inspection focus includes:

1. Chemical composition control: Each heat is checked to verify alloy conformity before further processing.

2. Temper control: H116 and H117 processing is managed to achieve the required strength and corrosion-related performance.

3. Dimensional inspection: Thickness, width, length, flatness, and edge condition are inspected against the order specification.

4. Surface inspection: Plates are examined for scratches, roll marks, oxidation stains, inclusions, and other defects that may affect fabrication.

5. Mechanical testing: Tensile testing is performed in accordance with applicable standards and customer requirements.

6. Traceability: Heat number and batch identification are maintained through packing and shipment documentation.

Welding and Fabrication Considerations

5086 H116/H117 aluminum plate is well suited to MIG and TIG welding. In marine fabrication, filler alloy selection, heat input, joint preparation, cleaning, and welding sequence should be controlled to maintain joint performance and minimize distortion.

Before welding, surfaces should be free from oil, moisture, oxide buildup, and contaminants. Fabricators should use appropriate aluminum welding procedures and avoid contamination from carbon steel tools. Where forming is required, bend radius and forming direction should be selected according to thickness, temper, and component geometry.

Because aluminum has higher thermal conductivity and greater thermal expansion than steel, welding fixtures and fabrication plans should account for heat movement and distortion. Properly planned cutting, tack welding, and sequence control are important for large marine panels.

Procurement Guidance for 5086 Marine Aluminum Plate

When sourcing 5086 H116 or H117 aluminum plate for shipbuilding, purchasers should define the alloy, temper, thickness, plate dimensions, applicable standard, inspection requirements, and required documents in the inquiry. For classification-related projects, the relevant class approval or project-specific certification requirements should be clarified before production.

As a manufacturer, we support customized marine plate orders with controlled production planning, quality documentation, export packing, and shipment coordination. By selecting the correct 5086 H116/H117 aluminum plate condition, shipbuilders can obtain a durable, weldable, corrosion-resistant material for demanding marine structures.