NR 561, Sec 2
8
Bureau Veritas June 2021
SECTION 2 MATERIALS
Symbols
E : Young’s modulus of aluminium, equal to
70000 N/mm
2
ν : Poisson ratio of aluminium, equal to 0,33
R
m
: Tensile strength, in N/mm
2
, of the parent metal in
delivery condition, as specified
R
p0,2
: Proof stress (yield strength), in N/mm
2
, of the
parent metal in delivery condition, as specified
R
’
m
: Tensile strength, in N/mm
2
, of the parent metal
in as-welded condition, as defined in [2.1.3] or
[2.1.4]
R
’
p0,2
: Proof stress (yield strength), in N/mm
2
, of the
parent metal in as-welded condition, as defined
in Article [2].
1 General
1.1 Application
1.1.1 As a rule, the aluminium alloys used for the construc-
tion of aluminium ships are as follows:
• for rolled or extruded products:
- series 5000: aluminium-magnesium alloy
- series 6000: aluminium-magnesium-silicon alloy.
• for cast products:
- aluminium-magnesium alloy
- aluminium-silicon alloy
- aluminium-magnesium-silicon alloy.
In the early stages of the project, the shipyard is to submit to
the Society the characteristics of the materials they intend to
use for the construction of the hull and of the structures. In
particular, the temper of parent metal is to be indicated.
1.1.2 Manufacture, inspection and certification
The general requirements relevant to the manufacture,
inspection and certification of aluminium alloy products
entering in the hull construction are given in NR216 Rules
on Materials and Welding for the Classification of Marine
Units.
1.1.3 Aluminium alloy characteristics
The characteristics of aluminium alloy to be used in the
construction are to comply with the applicable require-
ments of NR216 Materials and Welding, Chapter 3,
Section 2.
Materials with different characteristics may be considered
provided their specification (manufacture, chemical com-
position, mechanical properties, welding, etc.) is submitted
to the Society for approval.
1.1.4 In the case of structures subjected to low service tem-
peratures or intended for other specific applications, the
alloys to be employed are to be agreed by the Society.
2 Aluminium structure
2.1 Influence of welding on mechanical
characteristics
2.1.1 Welding heat input lowers locally the mechanical
characteristics R
p0,2
and R
m
of aluminium alloys hardened
by work hardening (series 5000 other than condition O) or
by heat treatment (series 6000).
2.1.2 Consequently, where necessary, a drop in the
mechanical characteristics of welded structures, with
respect to those of the parent material, is to be considered
for the structure calculation.
As a general rule, the heat affected zone (HAZ) is to be
taken extending over 25 mm on each side of the weld axis.
2.1.3 Aluminium alloys of series 5000 (rolled and
extruded)
Aluminium alloys of series 5000 in O condition (annealed)
are not subject to a drop in mechanical strength in the
welded areas.
Aluminium alloys of series 5000 other than condition O are
subject to a drop in mechanical strength in the welded
areas. The mechanical characteristics to be considered are
normally those of condition O.
Note 1: Higher mechanical characteristics may be taken into
account, provided they are duly justified.
2.1.4 Aluminium alloys of series 6000
Aluminium alloys of series 6000 are subject to a drop in
mechanical strength in the vicinity of the welded areas.
The mechanical characteristics to be considered in this
HAZ are normally indicated by the supplier.
When no information is provided by the supplier, the values
given in Tab 1 may be used.
Note 1: Higher mechanical characteristics may be taken into
account, provided they are duly justified.
2.1.5 Hardened aluminium alloys
For welded constructions in hardened aluminium alloys
(series 5000 other than condition O and series 6000),
higher characteristics than those in welded condition may
be considered, provided that welded connections are
located in areas where stress levels are acceptable for the
alloy considered in annealed or as-welded condition.