In 2025, finished 5083 aluminum in bar/plate/sheet forms is trading at a significant premium over base LME primary aluminum; typical finished 5083 plate/bar prices by region fall roughly within USD $1,900–4,800 per metric ton depending on form, temper, and regional premiums, while raw LME aluminium averaged near $2,500–2,800/mt during 2025 and regional premiums (especially U.S.) pushed the landed cost higher. For buyers seeking factory-direct supply, Luokaiwei (China) offers highly competitive ex-works prices, quick stock shipment options and customization services that can reduce landed cost versus middlemen.
We treat 5083 (AA5083 / EN AW-5083) as a 5000-series aluminium-magnesium alloy optimized for corrosion resistance and good strength without heat treatment. It is very widely used where welding and seawater resistance are necessary — ships, pressure vessels, cryogenic tanks, truck bodies and oil & gas topside structures. The alloy keeps good strength after welding and holds up well in marine environments.
Chemical composition & why magnesium matters
5083 typically contains about 4.0–4.9% Mg, plus 0.4–1.0% Mn, small Cr (≈0.05–0.25%) and trace elements. That relatively high magnesium content gives the alloy its combination of strength, work-hardening capability and seawater corrosion resistance. The Aluminum Association / ISO designations line up with AA5083 / AlMg4.5Mn. For procurement and certifications, ask for the exact certificate of analysis (COA) showing composition and UNS/ISO numbers.
Mechanical & physical properties
Different tempers (O, H111, H112, H116, H321, H32, etc.) change strength and ductility. Typical values you will see on mill TDS / COA:
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Density: ≈ 2.66 g/cm³.
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Young’s modulus: ≈ 70–71 GPa.
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Typical tensile strength (H116/H321 ranges): ~300–317 MPa (ultimate), yield around ~200–230 MPa depending on temper and thickness.
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Elongation: 10–16% typical (depends on temper and gauge).
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Service temperature: not recommended for continuous use above roughly 65 °C for structural loadings. However, it performs very well at cryogenic temperatures with increased strength and toughness.
Those numbers matter when you select a temper and final machining plan — plates and bars intended for structural or pressure applications must be specified with the right temper and test reports.
Common mill forms: bars, plates, sheets, extrusions
5083 is produced in several mill forms:
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Plate / sheet — most common for marine hulls, vehicle bodies, pressure vessels.
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Extruded bar / round bar / flat bar — used for structural profiles, machined components and fittings.
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Forged / cold-worked bar — available for higher strength via H-tempers.
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Coils (less common for 5083) and specialty castings are possible but the majority is wrought plate and extrusions.
If you need 5083 bar specifically, confirm whether you need extruded bars (to specific cross-section) or flat/rectangular milled bars cut from plate — pricing and lead times differ. Typical spec references for flat products are ASTM B209/ASME SB209 (sheet/plate), while extrusions/bars more often reference ASTM B221 and plating standards (see next section).
Standards & specs to include in your purchase order
Always state the applicable standard and dimensional tolerances in your PO. Typical standards and references used for 5083:
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ASTM B928 / B928M — high-magnesium marine application alloy specification for flat sheet/plate (relevant for plate orders).
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ASTM B209 / ASME SB209 — general aluminium sheet & plate standards (often used for commercial steels vendors).
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ASTM B221 — extruded bars, rods, shapes (if you buy extruded bar).
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AA / Aluminum Association designation (AA5083 / UNS A95083) and ISO designation (EN AW-5083 / AlMg4.5Mn) help cross-reference.
Require a mill test certificate (MTC) and chemical / mechanical test reports per your specified standard. For marine or pressure vessel work, include acceptance tests such as tensile, elongation, and any non-destructive testing (NDT) required.
Why 2025 pricing looks like it does
Several forces shaped 5083 finished product pricing in 2025:
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Base LME aluminium price — the primary benchmark for primary aluminium. 2025 saw LME movement in the roughly $2,000–2,800/mt range depending on month and macro forecasts.
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Regional premiums and duties — after new U.S. tariffs in 2025, US premiums spiked heavily; consumers there pay LME + premium, which raised landed prices dramatically in some markets.
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Processing premium for finished alloys — 5083 (a 5000-series high-Mg alloy) typically sells at a premium above primary aluminium because of alloying, specialized rolling/extruding and heat/temper processing.
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Logistics & freight volatility (container rates, port congestion) — can add significant short-term fluctuations to delivered cost.
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Local demand for marine/oil & gas projects — localized procurement for shipyards or defense projects can tighten supply and push prices up.
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Scrap / secondary aluminium availability — the balance between primary and recycled inputs influences conversion cost.
When negotiating, separate the LME + premium + conversion components from the finished product markup — that helps you compare quotes fairly.
Global price comparison — typical 2025 ranges (per metric ton, USD)
Important: the table below shows representative market ranges for finished 5083 plate/bar/sheet in 2025. Final quotes depend on temper, thickness, form (bar vs plate), quantity and delivery terms. Use these figures for budgeting and comparison only.
Region / Market | Typical 5083 finished price (USD / metric ton) | Notes & driver |
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Europe (ex-works / distributor) | ~$4,500 – $4,800 / mt | European 5083 plate prices observed near $4,580/mt in mid-2025 (finished plate premium). |
China (FOB, factory / stock) | ~$1,900 – $3,200 / mt | Chinese suppliers list a wide range depending on thickness and H-temper; many stock plate offers quoted in the $1,950–3,200/mt window. |
India (domestic / imported plate) | ~$1,900 – $3,800 / mt | Local vendor price lists and import sheets show a similar spread driven by domestic mill output vs. imported stock. |
USA (delivered, duty-affected) | ~$3,500 – $6,000+ / mt | U.S. import tariffs and record premiums in 2025 pushed delivered prices sharply higher (LME + large premium). Check current Midwest premium for the latest landed cost. |
Global spot (index / small quantity) | ~$2,000 – $4,800 / mt | Spot variance depends on thickness, temper and immediate availability. Use multiple quotes. |
How we built this table: we compared market feed snapshots for finished 5083 plate and supplier listings in mid-2025, then adjusted for regional premiums and tariffs to produce realistic budget ranges for bars/plates. For a specific quote ask for a sample MTC, exact temper, thickness and delivery terms.
Why the ranges vary so much
Short answer: form + temper + quantity + logistics + country policy. A thin H116 sheet in 4 mm thickness is cheap to roll and therefore at the lower end; a thick H321 plate 40–50 mm requires heavy rolling and specialized finishing — that raises cost significantly. Tariffs or premiums (such as U.S. duty) can add hundreds to over one thousand dollars per ton on top of mill price.
If you buy bars (extruded or milled), expect extra cost versus coil or sheet because of the additional extrusion processing, aging/straightening and machining tolerances.
How suppliers price 5083 bars
When you compare quotes, insist that these items are clearly shown:
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Base composition & standard (AA5083 / UNS A95083 / EN AW-5083) and temper.
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Mill test certificate (MTC) — chemical and mechanical results.
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Mill form & processing (extruded bar, forged, rolled flat bar) and whether machining/straightening is included.
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Thickness / cross-section tolerance, surface finish and whether protective coating is applied.
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Price break-down: base metal (LME/ingot cost), alloying premium, processing/conversion charge, freight, insurance and duties.
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Delivery term (EXW / FOB / CIF / DDP) and lead time.
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MOQ and stock availability — some Chinese mills hold stock for fast shipment; that allows lower lead time premiums. Luokaiwei can present factory-direct FOB/EXW pricing and (for certain stock sizes) fast dispatch.
We recommend asking suppliers for two quotes: one for a small test order and one for the production volume you expect — conversion pricing frequently improves at larger tonnages.
How Luokaiwei positions itself
Speaking for Luokaiwei: we are a China-based manufacturer and authorized stockist of aluminium plate and bar. Our buying proposition for 5083 includes:
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Factory-direct pricing — we quote ex-works/FOB that avoids distributor markups.
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Customization — extruded sections, cutting-to-length, special tempers or machining can be arranged.
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Fast stock shipment — we carry common sizes and tempers for immediate dispatch; bulk orders follow standard mill lead times.
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Certificates & QC — full MTCs and inspection reports available on request; third-party inspection can be arranged.
If you want to compare landed cost, send your quantity, target temper and port of discharge and we will provide an apples-to-apples quote with COA and lead time.
Buying & inspection checklist
Before final acceptance, check:
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Mill Test Certificate (chemical + mechanical) tied to heat/batch number.
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Dimensional tolerances and flatness (for bars: straightness and squareness).
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Surface condition: pitting or inclusions are unacceptable for marine work.
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Temper verification (H-temper/annealed) and any post-processing reports (stretching, straightening).
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Packaging for sea shipment — water-tight, wooden base, interleaving to avoid scratching.
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If critical: request tensile test specimens and perform your own weld qualification on samples.
Fabrication, welding and field notes
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Weldability: 5083 is considered very weldable by common arc welding processes; it retains good strength in the weld zone compared with many alloys. Use approved filler metals (e.g., 5183 or 5356) per code and perform prequalification for structural work.
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Machining: aluminium machines well but 5083 work-hardens — use sharp tooling and consider annealing if heavy machining heat is an issue.
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Anodizing: anodizing is possible but the high Mg content affects oxide appearance and growth rate; consult finishing houses before specifying color/appearance.
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Temperature limits: avoid continuous exposure above ~65 °C for structural load-bearing applications. For cryogenic service 5083 performs impressively (strength and toughness increase).
Sustainable sourcing & recycling
Aluminium is highly recyclable; post-consumer or post-industrial scrap plays a role in price and availability. Recycled aluminium lowers conversion cost but composition control for 5083 must be strict because Mg content is critical; reclaimed mixes must be carefully blended and adjusted at the mill.
From a procurement perspective, ask suppliers about their recycling content, alloy traceability and environmental certifications if these matter to your client or specification.
FAQs
Q1 — What is the typical lead time for 5083 extruded bar or flat bar from China?
A: For stocked sizes we can often ship within 7–14 days; custom extrusions or large plates generally take 4–10 weeks depending on quantity and current mill schedule. Confirm stock status before budgeting.
Q2 — Is 5083 suitable for saltwater (marine) use?
A: Yes — 5083 is a standard marine alloy with excellent corrosion resistance to seawater and is widely used for hulls, superstructure and underwater fittings. Specify H116/H321 tempers for marine service where applicable.
Q3 — Do tariffs affect 5083 landed cost?
A: Absolutely. In 2025 U.S. import tariffs and local premiums raised landed costs significantly; always factor in local duties and physical premiums into total landed cost.
Q4 — How is bar priced vs plate?
A: Bars (extruded/machined) typically include an extrusion or machining premium beyond plate rolling costs. Pricing depends on extrusion die cost, billet availability and post-processing. Request a BOM-style quote to compare.
Q5 — Which documents should a buyer insist on?
A: Mill Test Certificate (MTC), chemical analysis, tensile test report, temper certificate, and inspection photos — plus agreed Incoterm and packing list.
Final procurement checklist
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Confirm alloy designation (AA5083 / UNS A95083 / EN AW-5083) and temper.
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Request MTC and matching COA tied to the heat number.
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Ask for sample piece if welding or machining qualification is required.
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Verify delivery terms (EXW/FOB/CIF/DDP) and include insurance responsibilities.
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Compare quotes by Total Landed Cost, not just ex-works price. Luokaiwei can provide an itemized landed cost comparison to help you choose.
Summary
5083 remains one of the most valuable 5000-series alloys for marine and structural engineering because of its combined corrosion resistance, weldability and cold-work strength. In 2025 finished 5083 bar/plate pricing shows a wide regional spread — driven by LME base levels, conversion premiums, and policy/ tariff swings — so smart buyers compare detailed quotes, insist on certificates and consider factory-direct suppliers like Luokaiwei to minimize middle-man markups.
If you want, we can prepare an itemized FOB vs CIF comparative sheet for your target port and quantities so you can see exactly how factory price, freight, duties and premiums stack up.