Study of the weakly magnetic star HD 116656

We studied the spectroscopic binary HD 116656 (ζ^sup 1^ UMa) that has previously been suspected to be a Si-type chemically peculiar star. The magnetic field of each individual component was measured with a high accuracy, but none were found. The upper limit for each field was estimated as 20 G. The abundances of the chemical elements studied in both components proved to be the same. The pattern of their chemical anomalies suggests that they are more likely chemically peculiar Am stars than magnetic CP stars. The rotational velocities of the components slightly differ, 31.7 km s^sup -1^ for component A and 37.0 km s^sup -1^ for component B. Low rotational velocities are characteristic of both nonmagnetic metallic-line and magnetic chemically peculiar stars.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]