SuperGlaze® 5356 is Lincoln Electric's aluminum-magnesium MIG (GMAW) wire, classified AWS A5.10 ER5356 and ISO 18273 S Al 5356 (AlMg5Cr(A)). Lincoln describes it as an aluminum magnesium alloy that is very commonly used for higher-strength welding of 5XXX and 6XXX series base materials, and notes that its higher columnar strength offers improved feeding — the practical reason 5356 is the default choice for spool guns and long push-pull runs where a softer alloy would buckle in the liner. WeldingMart is an authorized Lincoln Electric distributor; all SuperGlaze wire ships in factory-sealed Lincoln packaging.
This page is the family hub for the SuperGlaze 5356 line. Lincoln publishes it in 0.035 in (0.9 mm), 3/64 in (1.2 mm), and 1/16 in (1.6 mm) diameters, in 1 lb display spools, 16 lb and 20 lb spools, and the 300 lb Gem-Pak® bulk box. Each stocked part number has its own listing, linked at the bottom of this page. See the wider range in the Welding Wire collection.
| AWS Classification | AWS A5.10 / A5.10M ER5356 |
|---|---|
| ISO Classification | ISO 18273 S Al 5356 (AlMg5Cr(A)) |
| Alloy Family | Aluminum-magnesium (5XXX filler) |
| Welding Process | GMAW (MIG); also used as GTAW filler in cut-length form |
| Typical Base Materials | 5XXX and 6XXX series aluminum alloys |
| Available Diameters | 0.035 in (0.9 mm), 3/64 in (1.2 mm), 1/16 in (1.6 mm) |
| Package Formats | 1 lb spools (20 per carton), 16 lb spool, 20 lb spool, 300 lb Gem-Pak® box |
| Shielding Gas | 100% Argon (I1); Argon/Helium mixes also published. Flow 14–24 l/min (30–50 CFH) |
| Polarity | DC+ (DCEP — DC Electrode Positive) |
| Solidus | 1060 °F (571 °C) |
| Liquidus | 1175 °F (635 °C) |
| Color After Anodizing | White |
| Brand / Manufacturer | Lincoln Electric |
Source: Lincoln Electric SuperGlaze 5356 product page, the SuperGlaze aluminum MIG wire datasheet, the 5356 alloy technical sheet, and the SuperGlaze product catalogue (part numbers and packaging).
- Higher-strength aluminum joints: 5356 is the go-to filler when the joint needs more strength than a 4XXX filler delivers on 5XXX and 6XXX base metal.
- Improved feedability: Lincoln attributes the wire's feeding behaviour to its higher columnar strength — the property that lets a 0.035 in aluminum wire survive a spool-gun or long push-pull liner without birdnesting.
- Chromium-bearing chemistry: The specification range includes 0.05–0.20% Cr and 0.06–0.20% Ti alongside 4.5–5.5% Mg, which is what distinguishes 5356 from other 5XXX fillers.
- Anodizes white: Published color after anodizing is white, which matters on architectural work where the weld must not show as a dark line after finishing.
- Full format range: From 1 lb display spools for portable spool guns up to the 300 lb Gem-Pak® box for automated cells.
| Magnesium (Mg) | 4.5–5.5% required; 4.90% typical |
|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.05–0.20% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.05–0.20% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.25% max |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.40% max |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.10% max |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.10% max |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.06–0.20% |
| Beryllium (Be) | 0.0003% max |
| Tensile strength (typical, all-weld-metal) | 240–290 MPa (35–42 ksi) |
|---|---|
| Elongation (typical, all-weld-metal) | 25–33% |
| As-welded on 5086 base metal | Tensile 39,000 psi; Yield 19,000 psi; Elongation 17% |
Typical values are Lincoln Electric published test results, not lot guarantees. Joint results on aluminum depend heavily on base alloy and temper, joint design, and cleanliness — a weld on annealed 5086 will not test the same as a weld on 6061-T6.
- 5XXX-series structures: Marine hulls, superstructures, deck plate, tanks, and pressure enclosures fabricated from 5052, 5083, and 5086 plate — 5356 is the matched-family filler for this work and Lincoln publishes as-welded joint data on 5086.
- 6XXX-series extrusions and frames: 6061 and 6063 extruded frames, trailer and truck bodies, ladders, railings, and machine guards where higher weld strength is required than a 4XXX filler provides.
- Architectural aluminum that will be anodized: Because 5356 anodizes white, it is the practical choice where the finished surface must match rather than show a grey weld seam.
- Spool-gun and push-pull field work: The alloy's columnar strength is what makes it feed reliably through a spool gun's short liner or a long push-pull cable on site work, where 4043 is more prone to feeding trouble at small diameters.
- Automated and robotic aluminum cells: The 300 lb Gem-Pak® box exists for continuous production where spool changes are the bottleneck.
SuperGlaze 5356 runs DC+ (DCEP) under 100% argon (ISO I1), at a flow of 14–24 l/min (30–50 CFH). Argon/helium mixes are also published; helium additions raise arc energy and are used on thicker sections where pure argon runs cold, at the cost of a hotter, less controllable puddle and higher gas cost.
Aluminum GMAW is unforgiving about hardware. Use a liner and drive rolls intended for aluminum, keep the gun cable as straight as practical, and match contact tip size to the wire — the feeding advantage Lincoln claims for 5356 is real but it does not compensate for a steel liner or a worn tip. CO₂ and argon/CO₂ mixes must never be used on aluminum.
Lincoln's published parameters for SuperGlaze 5356 with 100% argon, DC+ polarity, and a 1/2–5/8 in contact-tip-to-work distance:
| 0.035 in (0.9 mm) | 770 in/min wire feed speed; 21.6 volts; approximately 185 amps |
|---|---|
| 3/64 in (1.2 mm) | 500 in/min wire feed speed; 23.0 volts; approximately 210 amps |
| 1/16 in (1.6 mm) | 360 in/min wire feed speed; 24.8 volts; approximately 280 amps |
These are starting points published by the manufacturer, not a procedure. Note how high the wire feed speed is at 0.035 in — aluminum wire melts off far faster than steel at the same current, which is why a feeder that is comfortable with steel may be at its limit here.
| 0.035 in (0.9 mm) | The spool-gun and light-fabrication diameter, run at the highest wire feed speed of the three (770 in/min at roughly 185 A). Stocked here as a 16 lb spool (ED028385), a carton of twenty 1 lb spools (ED030312), and a 300 lb Gem-Pak® box (ED034722). |
|---|---|
| 3/64 in (1.2 mm) | The general-purpose production diameter for plate and extrusion work — roughly 210 A at 500 in/min in Lincoln's published table. Stocked as a 20 lb spool (ED030282) and a 300 lb Gem-Pak® box (ED034550). |
| 1/16 in (1.6 mm) | The heavy-section diameter, around 280 A at 360 in/min. Requires an industrial feeder and gun rated for it. Stocked as a 20 lb spool (ED030283) and a 300 lb Gem-Pak® box (ED034551). |
Format notes. The 1 lb spools are display/point-of-use packs sold twenty to a carton and suit portable spool guns. The 16 lb and 20 lb spools cover conventional feeders. The 300 lb Gem-Pak® box is a bulk package for automated cells and requires the correct payoff hardware and conduit.
- What is ER5356?
- ER5356 is the AWS A5.10 classification for an aluminum-magnesium filler nominally containing 5% magnesium. The equivalent ISO 18273 designation is S Al 5356 (AlMg5Cr(A)). Lincoln's SuperGlaze 5356 is classified to both.
- 5356 or 4043 — which should I use?
- Lincoln positions 5356 as the alloy very commonly used for higher-strength welding of 5XXX and 6XXX base materials, with higher columnar strength that improves feeding. That strength advantage and its feedability are the two reasons it is chosen over a 4XXX filler. The decision is a base-alloy and service-condition decision — consult the applicable code or the base metal supplier's recommendation for your specific alloy and temper.
- What shielding gas do I need?
- 100% argon (ISO I1) at 14–24 l/min (30–50 CFH). Argon/helium mixes are also published for higher heat input on thick sections. Never use CO₂ or an argon/CO₂ mix on aluminum.
- Why does my 0.035 in aluminum wire birdnest?
- Almost always a hardware issue rather than a wire issue: a steel liner instead of an aluminum liner, incorrect or over-tensioned drive rolls, a tight cable bend, or a worn contact tip. 5356's higher columnar strength makes it more tolerant than softer alloys, but it is not a substitute for the correct liner, rolls, and tip.
- Will the weld show after anodizing?
- Lincoln lists the color of 5356 weld metal after anodizing as white. That is the reason it is used on architectural work where a dark weld line would be visible on the finished part.
- What melting range should I expect?
- Published solidus is 1060 °F (571 °C) and liquidus is 1175 °F (635 °C).
- What strength will the finished joint have?
- Lincoln publishes typical all-weld-metal tensile of 240–290 MPa (35–42 ksi) at 25–33% elongation, and an as-welded joint on 5086 base metal at 39,000 psi tensile, 19,000 psi yield, and 17% elongation. Your result depends on the base alloy, temper, and joint design — these are published typical values, not design allowables.
Each stocked SuperGlaze 5356 format has its own listing: 0.035 in, 16 lb spool (ED028385) | 0.035 in, twenty 1 lb spools (ED030312) | 0.035 in, 300 lb Gem-Pak® box (ED034722) | 3/64 in, 20 lb spool (ED030282) | 3/64 in, 300 lb Gem-Pak® box (ED034550) | 1/16 in, 20 lb spool (ED030283) | 1/16 in, 300 lb Gem-Pak® box (ED034551) | All Welding Wire
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