Marine Grade Aluminum Sheet and FSW Plate

In the field of shipbuilding, aluminum alloys are gradually replacing traditional steel and becoming the mainstream material with their unique performance combination. The marine grade aluminum sheet, represented by 5083, 5052, and 5383, shows the following core advantages:

Lightweight and high strength

The density of aluminum alloy is only 1/3 of that of steel, which can reduce the overall weight of the ship by 15%-20%. For example, the tensile strength of 5083 alloy can reach more than 300MPa, far exceeding 5052 (230MPa), which is suitable for the main structure of the hull; while the medium strength of 5052 (σb≈230MPa in H32 state) is more suitable for non-load-bearing parts such as oil tanks and pipelines.

Excellent corrosion resistance

The oxide film formed on the surface of aluminum-magnesium alloy can resist seawater corrosion. 5083-H116 has no exfoliation corrosion after ASTM G66 test, and the mass loss of intergranular corrosion is ≤10mg/cm². In contrast, steel needs to spend a lot of money every year for rust prevention.

Welding and processing performance

5083, 5052, and 5383 all have good weldability, and the weld strength can reach 90%-95% of the parent material. When using stir friction welding (FSW) technology to splice wide ribbed plates, the deformation problem of traditional argon arc welding can be avoided, and production efficiency can be improved.

Structural innovation of wide aluminum friction stir welding sheet

FSW aluminium plate integrates the ribs and the base plate through an integral extrusion process, breaking through the limitations of traditional welded structures:

Optimized mechanical properties

The rib layout of the FSW plate (such as longitudinal or transverse) can significantly improve the bending stiffness. For example, the bending strength of 5083 ribbed plate is 40% higher than that of ordinary plates, which is suitable for decks and bulkheads under high stress.

Manufacturing process innovation

Reduced welds: Wide aluminum stir welding plate (up to 3 meters wide) reduce 80% of splicing welds, reducing corrosion risks and maintenance costs.

Efficient production: Using a 20,000-ton extruder, ribbed plates up to 12 meters long can be produced at one time and spliced into any size by stir friction welding.

Green manufacturing

The extrusion process reduces energy consumption by 50% compared to traditional welding, and the material recovery rate exceeds 95%, which meets the environmental protection requirements of IMO.

Typical applications in ship structures

Hull and deck

Using wide FSW plate (6-12mm thick), the longitudinal reinforcement design can improve the impact resistance of the hull by 30%, while reducing the number of welds and the risk of seawater penetration.

Superstructure and cabin

Aluminum FSW plate (3-5mm thick) is used for cruise cabin partitions. Their lightweight characteristics reduce the center of gravity of the ship by 5% and improve navigation stability.