MIGAL.CO supplies class-approved AlMg welding wire for aluminium hulls and superstructures – yachts, patrol, customs and police boats, ferries, catamarans and workboats. The standard choice for EN AW-5083 hull plate is MA-5183 (ER5183); MA-5087, MA-5356 and MA-5556 cover crack-sensitive, anodised and high-strength joints. MA-5183, MA-5087 and MA-5356 are approved by DNV, Lloyd's Register, Bureau Veritas and ABS; MA-5356 additionally by Korean Register. All four wires are available on spools and in 140 kg Jumbo and 240 kg Jumbo XL drums.
Which wire for which joint?
Typical base materials on board and the matching MIGAL.CO wire. For other combinations see the material selection table for aluminium alloys.
| Base material | Typical use on board | Recommended wire | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN AW-5083, EN AW-5086 | hull plate, decks, bulkheads | MA-5183 (ER5183) | seawater-resistant weld metal, Rm 275 MPa, class-approved |
| EN AW-5083 in complex, rigidly clamped structures | frames, nodes, thick sections | MA-5087 (S Al 5087) | zirconium refines the grain – weld metal insensitive to hot cracking; Rm 285 MPa |
| EN AW-6060, 6061, 6063, 6082 extrusions | stiffeners, deck profiles, superstructure frames | MA-5183 or MA-5087 | higher strength than AlSi fillers; seawater-resistant |
| EN AW-5754, 5052, anodised parts | railings, fittings, visible parts | MA-5356 (ER5356) | nearly colour-matched after anodising; seawater-resistant |
| EN AW-5083 where maximum strength counts | highly loaded joints | MA-5556 (ER5556) | highest strength in the MIGAL.CO range, Rm 290 MPa |
What matters in aluminium shipyards
- Porosity: Hydrogen from moisture is the main cause of pores. MIGAL.CO wire is vacuum-packed; store base material dry and remove the oxide layer before welding – see welding of aluminium.
- Confined spaces and positional welding: Many joints are welded in tight compartments, partly TIG with a mirror. TIG rods are available in 1.6–5.0 mm.
- Distortion: Careful tacking and sequence planning; tack welds are removed before final welding.
- Mechanised and robot welding: For panel lines and robots, MA-5183, MA-5087, MA-5356 and MA-5556 come in 140 kg Jumbo and 240 kg Jumbo XL drums, with roller-guided feeding over long distances – see long-distance wire feeding for aluminium.
Approvals
Class and rail approvals of the shipbuilding wires. Certificates: approvals aluminium.
| Wire | DNV | LR | BV | ABS | KR | TÜV | DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA-5183 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MA-5087 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| MA-5356 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Reference: Baltic Workboats, Estonia
Baltic Workboats builds aluminium workboats, patrol boats, ferries and catamarans up to 100 m on Saaremaa – more than 200 vessels for customers in 30 countries. The shipyard welds EN AW-5083 with vacuum-packed MIGAL.CO wire and achieves consistent weld quality despite harsh climatic conditions. Read the reference.
Frequently asked questions
Which welding wire is used for 5083 aluminium in shipbuilding?
ER5183 (EN ISO 18273: S Al 5183) is the standard filler for EN AW-5083 hulls. Its seawater-resistant weld metal reaches about 275 MPa tensile strength. MIGAL.CO MA-5183 is approved by DNV, Lloyd's Register, Bureau Veritas and ABS.
ER5183 or ER5356 for boats?
ER5183 gives higher strength and is the first choice for structural hull welds on 5083. ER5356 has slightly lower strength (about 250 MPa) but gives a nearly colour-matched weld after anodising – useful for visible parts and fittings. Both are seawater resistant.
When should I use S Al 5087 instead of 5183?
With rigid clamping, complex nodes or thick sections where hot cracking is a risk. Zirconium refines the grain of the weld metal; strength is slightly higher than with 5183.
Do you supply drums for robot welding in shipyards?
Yes. MA-5183, MA-5087, MA-5356 and MA-5556 are available in 140 kg Jumbo and 240 kg Jumbo XL drums, with feeding systems for distances of 20 m and more between drum and robot.
Can I test the wire first?
Yes – request a free test spool.