AWS Class ER5356 MIG & TIG

ER5356 Aluminium TIG Filler Rod & MIG Wire Supplier in India

Name: AWS Class ER5356 MIG & TIG
Brand: Nicorex Alloys

Nicorex Alloys is an ISO 9001- and ISO 14001-certified stockist and supplier of ER5356 aluminium welding wire and TIG filler rods, based in Mumbai, India. We supply ER5356 filler metal classified under AWS A5.10 / ASME SFA-5.10 in both MIG spool and TIG straight-rod forms across India.

ER5356 (UNS A95356, EN ISO 18273 S Al 5356 / AlMg5Cr(A)) is an aluminium-magnesium solid wire containing 4.5-5.5% Mg and 0.05-0.20% Cr. The high magnesium content makes ER5356, a high-strength general-purpose aluminium filler metal, delivering a typical as-welded tensile strength of ~262 MPa (38 ksi) on 5083 base metal and shear strength of ~152 MPa (22 ksi). Its 5% Mg composition forms a stable oxide film that resists seawater and chloride attack, while the chromium addition refines grain structure and lifts pitting resistance. After anodising, ER5356 welds show a white/silver colour match to the parent 5XXX alloy. TIG rods ship in diameters of 1.6, 2.4, 3.2, and 4.0 mm; MIG spools in 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.6 mm. Shielding gas is 100% Argon for both GTAW and GMAW. Compatible base metals include 5050, 5052, 5083, 5086, 5154, 5454, 5456, 6061, 6063, and 7005.

ER5356 is the default filler wire for marine aluminium fabrication, truck trailers, cryogenic storage, ASME Section VIII pressure vessels, and structural work under AWS D1.2. Nicorex Alloys stocks the full diameter range with EN 10204/3.1B mill test certificates, ensuring traceability from spool to weld joint.

ER4043 Welding Wire Specifications

ER5356 welding wire specifications cover its classification, compatible welding processes, wire sizes and shielding gas:

AWS Classification	ER5356 AWS A5.10
UNS Designation	A95356
Weld Processes	GTAW (TIG), GMAW (MIG), SAW
Polarity	(TIG): AC or DCEP (MIG): DCEP
Welding Position	All positions
Shielding Gas	100% Argon (Ar/He blend for thick sections)
TIG Rod Diameters	1.6, 2.4, 3.2, 4.0 mm
MIG Wire Diameters	0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.6 mm

AWS Classification Explained: What Does ER5356 Mean?

The ER5356 designation follows the AWS A5.10 naming system. Each segment identifies the product form and alloy chemistry:

Designation Element	Meaning
E	Electrode (suitable for GMAW/MIG)
R	Rod (suitable for GTAW/TIG)
5XXX	Al-Mg alloy series (magnesium primary alloying element)
356	Specific alloy: 4.5–5.5% Mg + 0.05–0.20% Cr

The chromium in ER5356 refines grain structure and improves corrosion resistance. For comparison: ER5356 (5% Mg, general purpose) vs ER5183 (4.8% Mg + 0.8% Mn, highest strength on 5083) vs ER5554 (2.7% Mg, rated for sustained elevated-temperature service).

Chemical Composition of ER5356 Wire per AWS A5.10

The chemical composition of ER5356 welding wire, along with its proportion in percentage, is listed below:

Specification	Silicon (Si)	Iron (Fe)	Copper (Cu)	Manganese (Mn)	Magnesium (Mg)	Chromium (Cr)	Zinc (Zn)	Titanium (Ti)	Beryllium (Be)	Aluminium (Al)	Others (each / total)
AWS A5.10 Req. (%)	0.25 max	0.40 max	0.10 max	0.05–0.20	4.5–5.5	0.05–0.20	0.10 max	0.06–0.20	0.0003 max	Remainder	0.05 / 0.15 max

Magnesium at 4.5–5.5% is the main element that increases strength. Chromium at 0.05–0.20% helps refine the grain structure and improves resistance to pitting corrosion. Low Cu (0.10% max) preserves seawater corrosion performance, while Ti (0.06-0.20%) acts as a grain refiner during weld solidification.

Mechanical Properties of ER5356 Weld Deposits

The mechanical properties of the ER5356 weld deposit, along with its tensile strength, elongation and yield strength, are listed below:

Specification	Tensile Strength	Yield Strength (0.2% Offset)	Elongation	Tensile on 6061-T6
Typical Value (As-Welded on 5083)	~262 MPa (38 ksi)	~117 MPa (17 ksi)	~17%	~186 MPa (27 ksi)

ER5356 delivers higher tensile and ductility than ER4043 on most 5XXX base metals. Where maximum as-welded strength on 5083/5456 is mandatory, ER5183 reaches ~276 MPa (40 ksi).

Base Metal Compatibility for ER5356 TIG Rod

The base metal and its compatibility, along with grade and ASME number, are listed in the table below:

Base Metal	Grade	ASME No.	Note
Aluminium	5052	P-No. 21	Good corrosion resistance, common marine use
Aluminium	5083	P-No. 21	High strength, excellent seawater resistance
Aluminium	5086	P-No. 21	Suitable for structural and marine applications
Aluminium	5454	P-No. 21	Good for elevated temperature service
Aluminium	5456	P-No. 21	High strength, but watch for SCC risk
Aluminium	6061	P-No. 23	Widely used structural alloy
Aluminium	6063	P-No. 23	Architectural applications
Aluminium	6082	P-No. 23	Higher strength 6XXX alloy

ER5356 filler is mainly used to weld 5XXX and some 6XXX aluminium alloys. It provides good strength, flexibility, and corrosion resistance. However, it should not be used for jobs where the service temperature is above 65°C, because some alloys can crack under stress at higher temperatures.

Recommended Welding Parameters for ER5356 TIG & MIG Wire

Suggested amperage ranges for ER5356 by diameter and process are given below. Use 100% Argon shielding; Ar/He blends suit thick-section work.

Process / Diameter	Amperage Range (A)	Polarity / Notes
GTAW 1.6 mm	60–110	AC or DCEP
GTAW 2.4 mm	100–170	AC or DCEP
GTAW 3.2 mm	140–240	AC or DCEP
GMAW 0.8 mm	60–120	DCEP
GMAW 1.0 mm	80–160	DCEP
GMAW 1.2 mm	120–250	DCEP

Clean the oxide layer with a stainless-steel brush immediately before welding. Degrease with acetone. Preheat sections thicker than 6 mm to 95-150°C. ER5356 produces a stiffer arc and less fluid weld pool than ER4043, reducing travel speed for full fusion.

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Industrial Welding Applications of ER5356 Filler Wire

ER5356 aluminium filler wire is strong, resists corrosion, and works reliably in tough industrial welding applications and structures.

Marine & shipbuilding: Used to weld 5083/5086 boat hulls, decks, superstructures, and offshore platforms.
Transportation: Used for truck trailers, rail cars, tanker bodies, and container frames.
Cryogenic: Applied in LNG storage tanks, cold boxes, and cryogenic piping.
Pressure vessel: Used as an approved filler wire for ASME Section VIII pressure vessels, air receivers, and storage tanks made from 5083 or 5454 aluminium.
Structural: Used in bridges, building facades, and stadium structures.
Defence: Used in armoured military vehicles and naval ship hulls

Storage and Handling of ER5356 Aluminium Welding Wire

Store ER5356 in its original sealed packaging in a dry, climate-controlled area. Magnesium at 5% makes the wire surface more prone to grey/white oxide buildup than ER4043; inspect the wire before loading. Degrease the first few wraps if exposed. For MIG, use U-groove drive rollers, a nylon liner, and oversized contact tips to prevent shaving. Shelf life is indefinite when the packaging remains sealed.

Available Forms, Diameters and Packaging of ER5356

Nicorex Alloys stocks ER5356 Aluminium TIG Filler Rod & MIG Wire in the following forms, diameters, and packaging options.

Form	Diameter (mm)	Packaging
TIG Rod (1000 mm length)	1.6, 2.4, 3.2, 4.0	2.5 kg / 5 kg tubes
MIG Spool	0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.6	0.5 / 2 / 5 / 7 / 15 kg spools

Every lot ships with an EN 10204/3.1B mill test certificate.

How to Order ER5356 MIG & TIG Filler Metal from Nicorex Alloys

To order ER5356 MIG & TIG Filler Metal from Nicorex Alloys, provide these 9 important details:

Wire Type: GTAW (TIG) Cut Lengths / GMAW (MIG) Spools for 5xxx Series Aluminium Alloy Welding
Size: 0.9mm / 1.2mm / 1.6mm (GMAW) / 1.6mm / 2.4mm / 3.2mm / 4.0mm (GTAW)
Current Type: AC (GTAW) / DCEP (GMAW)
Welding Position: All Positions
Material Grade: Al-5Mg Aluminium Alloy Welding Wire / UNS A95356 / AWS A5.10: ER5356 / W.Nr. 3.3556
Quantity: Number of spools/packs or total weight in kg (spool size: 5 kg / 7 kg / 15 kg)
Standard: AWS A5.10 / ASME SFA 5.10, EN ISO 18273: S Al 5356, ASME Section IX
Documentation: MTC 3.1/3.2, PMI Report, Weld Metal Composition Report, TPI Certificate
Delivery: Domestic

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price of ER5356 Welding Wire per Kg in India?

ER5356 welding wire typically ranges from ₹550 to ₹1,100 per kg in India, depending on diameter, form (TIG rod vs MIG spool), order volume, and prevailing aluminium/magnesium raw-material rates. ER5356 costs slightly more than ER4043 because of its higher magnesium content. Contact Nicorex Alloys for a current price.

What is the difference between ER4043 and ER5356 for welding 6061 Aluminium?

ER5183 contains higher manganese (0.50-1.0% vs 0.05-0.20%), which gives it the highest as-welded tensile strength of any Al-Mg filler on 5083/5456 base metal; ~276 MPa vs ~262 MPa for ER5356. Choose ER5183 when AWS D1.2 or ASME code requires a minimum tensile on 5083 to be met. ER5356 is more widely stocked and suits most general 5XXX and 6XXX applications.

Why is ER5356 preferred over ER4043 for Marine Aluminium Welding?

ER5356 offers three advantages for marine service. The 5% Mg builds a protective oxide film with strong resistance to seawater and chloride exposure. It delivers higher tensile and shear strength than ER4043 on 5083/5086 marine alloys. Welds anodise to a white/silver finish that matches the parent metal, while ER4043 turns dark grey.

What is the difference between ER5356 and ER5183?

ER5183 contains higher manganese (0.50-1.0% vs 0.05-0.20%), which gives it the highest as-welded tensile strength of any Al-Mg filler on 5083/5456 base metal; ~276 MPa vs ~262 MPa for ER5356. Choose ER5183 when AWS D1.2 or ASME code requires a minimum tensile on 5083 to be met. ER5356 is more widely stocked and suits most general 5XXX and 6XXX applications.

When should ER5356 NOT be used?

Avoid ER5356 in five situations:

sustained service above 65°C (beta-phase Mg₂Al₃ precipitation raises stress-corrosion cracking risk
2XXX series base metals: use ER2319
cast Al-Si alloys: use ER4043 or ER4047
6XXX joints where maximum crack resistance matters: ER4043 has lower hot-cracking sensitivity
Oxy-fuel gas welding: Use ER4043 or ER1100.