What Is the Difference Between 5356 & 1100 Welding Wire?

There are several differences between 5356 and 1100 welding wire, which are both employed in the MIG welding method. Both 5356 and 1100 welding wire are available in many of the same sizes, but are designed for different applications.

Composition

Welding wire designated as 1100 contains between 0.05 and 0.20 percent copper, 0.05 percent manganese and 0.10 percent zinc. By comparison, 5356 welding wire typically consists of between 4.5 and 5.5 percent magnesium, between 0.05 and 0.20 percent manganese, between 0.05 and 0.20 percent chromium and between 0.06 and 0.20 percent titanium.

Tensile Strength

Tensile strength refers to the amount of stress a material can bear before tearing. Using 1100 welding wire results in the creation of a weld that can withstand pressures in the 13,500 psi (pounds per square inch) range. The tensile strength of 5356 welding wire offers a 38,000 psi pressure capacity.

Other Differences

Welding wire rated at 1100 has a melting range of between 1,190 and 1,215 degrees Fahrenheit, while 5356 welding wire offers a melting range between 1,060 and 1,175 degrees Fahrenheit. The density of 1100 wire is 0.098 lbs. per cubic-inch (lbs/ci), while the density of 5356 welding wire is 0.096 lbs/ci.

References

• AlcoTec: Alloy 5356 Weld Data Sheet
• AlcoTec: Alloy 1100 Weld Data Sheet
• U.S. Alloy Co.: 5356 Aluminum Welding Wire
• U.S. Alloy Co.: 1100 Aluminum Welding Wire
• Princeton University: WordNet: Tensile Strength