1. Home > 
  2. Blog > 
  3. 5383-H116 Aluminum vs. 5383-H321 Aluminum

5383-H116 Aluminum vs. 5383-H321 Aluminum

Last Updated :

5383-H116 aluminum is suitable for lighter loads and high corrosion environments, while 5383-H321 aluminum has higher tensile strength, yield strength, and fatigue strength, making it more suitable for applications that experience higher stress and load.

Both alloys have similar thermal, electrical, and unclassified properties, but the main difference lies in fatigue strength, tensile strength, and yield strength, with 5383-H321 aluminum showing slightly better fatigue and yield strength.

5383-H116 aluminum and 5383-H321 aluminum are both commonly used in marine applications, shipbuilding, and high-strength structural components. While these two aluminum alloys are similar in terms of thermal, electrical, and unclassified properties, they exhibit significant differences in fatigue strength, tensile strength, and yield strength.

  • Fatigue strength: 5383-H321 aluminum has higher fatigue strength than 5383-H116 aluminum, meaning it performs better under long-term cyclic loading, showing greater durability.
  • Tensile strength and yield strength: 5383-H321 aluminum outperforms 5383-H116 aluminum in both tensile and yield strength, making it more suitable for high-load and high-stress environments.
  • Application fields: Due to the higher strength and fatigue resistance of 5383-H321 aluminum, it is typically used in high-load ship structures, offshore platforms, and critical components that require strength and durability. 5383-H116 aluminum, on the other hand, is better suited for lower-load, non-critical marine applications or situations where higher corrosion resistance is required.

The main difference between 5383 H116 and 5383-H321 aluminum lies in their mechanical properties, particularly in fatigue strength, tensile strength, and yield strength. The higher strength and better fatigue strength of 5383-H321 aluminum make it more advantageous for high-stress and high-load applications, while 5383-H116 aluminum is more suitable for environments where corrosion resistance is important but the load is lower.

Comparison Table of 5383-H116 Aluminum and 5383-H321 Aluminum

Characteristics 5383-H116 Aluminum 5383-H321 Aluminum
Condition H116 (Heat-treated and cold-worked) H321 (Further heat-treated and cold-worked)
Tensile strength Lower Higher
Yield strength Lower Higher
Fatigue strength Lower Higher
Corrosion resistance Good, suitable for seawater environments Good, suitable for seawater environments
Applicable fields Light-load marine applications, such as external ship structures High-load marine applications, such as shipframe structures, offshore platforms
Strength characteristics Moderate strength, suitable for general loads Higher strength, suitable for greater stress and loads
Toughness Good Good
Usage environment Suitable for lighter loads and corrosion environments Suitable for high stress, high-load, and fatigue environments

5383 H116 Aluminum and 5383-H321 Aluminum Properties

Properties of 5383-H116 Aluminum

  • Condition and Hardness: The H116 condition represents that the alloy has undergone heat treatment and some cold working, resulting in moderate hardness and strength. It is mainly used for applications affected by moisture and salt in marine environments, showing good corrosion resistance.
  • Strength and Toughness: 5383-H116 aluminum alloy has relatively low tensile strength and yield strength, but it provides sufficient tensile strength for general marine applications.
  • Corrosion Resistance: Its superior resistance to seawater corrosion makes it an ideal material for the shipbuilding industry and marine structures.
  • Fatigue Strength: The fatigue strength of 5383-H116 aluminum is generally suitable for environments with lighter loads, although it is superior to typical aluminum alloys, it is slightly inferior to 5383-H321 aluminum.

Properties of 5383-H321 Aluminum

  • Condition and Hardness: The H321 condition usually means that the aluminum alloy has been further processed based on the H116 condition, resulting in higher strength. It is typically cold worked to achieve better mechanical properties, especially in yield strength and tensile strength.
  • Strength and Toughness: 5383-H321 aluminum alloy has higher tensile strength and yield strength, making it suitable for environments that experience greater stress and load. Its enhanced strength makes it suitable for applications with higher structural demands, such as shipframe structures and offshore platforms.
  • Fatigue Strength: 5383-H321 aluminum has significantly higher fatigue strength than 5383-H116 aluminum. This gives it better durability under repeated stress, especially in environments that require resistance to repeated loads and vibrations.
  • Corrosion Resistance: Similar to the H116 condition, H321 aluminum alloy also has good corrosion resistance, maintaining stability over longer periods, especially in marine environments.

5383-H116 Aluminum vs. 5383-H321 Aluminum Mechanical Properties

Property 5383-H116 Aluminum 5383-H321 Aluminum
Brinell Hardness 90 90
Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus, x 10⁶ psi 9.9 9.9
Elongation at Break, % 12 12
Fatigue Strength, x 10³ psi 25 30
Poisson's Ratio 0.33 0.33
Shear Modulus, x 10⁶ psi 3.7 3.7
Shear Strength, x 10³ psi 30 30
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), x 10³ psi 51 50
Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof), x 10³ psi 35 36

5383-H116 Aluminum vs. 5383-H321 Aluminum Thermal Properties

Property 5383-H116 Aluminum 5383-H321 Aluminum
Latent Heat of Fusion, J/g 390 390
Maximum Temperature: Corrosion, °F 150 150
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °F 400 400
Melting Completion (Liquidus), °F 1200 1200
Melting Onset (Solidus), °F 1010 1010
Specific Heat Capacity, BTU/lb-°F 0.22 0.22
Thermal Conductivity, BTU/h-ft-°F 72 72
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K 24 24

5383-H116 Aluminum vs. 5383-H321 Aluminum Electrical Properties

Property 5383-H116 Aluminum 5383-H321 Aluminum
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Volume, % IACS 29 29
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Weight (Specific), % IACS 97 97

Otherwise Unclassified Properties

Property 5383-H116 Aluminum 5383-H321 Aluminum
Base Metal Price, % relative 9.5 9.5
Density, lb/ft³ 170 170
Embodied Carbon, kg CO₂/kg material 9.0 9.0
Embodied Energy, x 10³ BTU/lb 67 67
Embodied Water, gal/lb 140 140

Common Calculations

Property 5383-H116 Aluminum 5383-H321 Aluminum
Resilience: Ultimate (Unit Rupture Work), MJ/m³ 38 37
Resilience: Unit (Modulus of Resilience), kJ/m³ 440 450
Stiffness to Weight: Axial, points 14 14
Stiffness to Weight: Bending, points 50 50
Strength to Weight: Axial, points 36 35
Strength to Weight: Bending, points 41 40
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s 51 51
Thermal Shock Resistance, points 15 15

Further reading: 5083 5383 O H112 Marine Grade Aluminum Bars 5383 Marine Grade Aluminum Plate Sheet 5383 H112 Aluminum 5383 H321 Aluminum 5383 H116 Aluminum 5383 H34 Aluminum 5383 H32 Aluminum 5383 H111 Aluminum 5383 O Aluminum

Tags: Marine Aluminum 5383 5 Series Marine Aluminum