Aluminum 1050
AA 1050 · UNS A91050 · EN Al99.5, AW-1050 · JIS A1050
1050 is a commercially pure wrought aluminium (min 99.50 % Al) supplied as sheet, coil, foil, plate, bar and tube; strength comes only from cold work (H tempers) since there is no heat-treatable alloying.
Values for the H14 condition
1050 tempers and conditions
1050 is supplied in 13 conditions, soft to hard. H14 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 13 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Slightly strain hardened | Nearly soft sheet/plate that has picked up slight work during flattening or straightening; formability close to O. | 25 | 75 | 30 | 20 HB | 61.6 % IACS |
Annealed | Pick for deep drawing, spinning, hand forming, foil and maximum conductivity. | 30 | 78 | 38 | 19 HB | 61.6 % IACS |
As fabricated | Cheapest hot-worked condition for plate/extrusion where mechanical properties are not guaranteed. | 35 | 80 | 25 | 22 HB | 61.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Thick plate, extrusion and forged stock where properties are certified but no cold rolling is applied. | 40 | 85 | 22 | 23 HB | 61.3 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Same strength class as H12 but with better ductility for bending and drawing. | 60 | 100 | 11 | 25 HB | 61.3 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Slight stiffening over O while retaining good bendability for light panels and enclosures. | 70 | 95 | 9 | 25 HB | 61.2 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Very common Chinese stock temper for 1050 sheet: H14-level strength with noticeably better bend/draw behaviour. | 80 | 115 | 7 | 30 HB | 61 % IACS |
H14Default Strain hardened, half hard | The general-purpose stocked temper: usable strength and stiffness with still-good bending for sheet, coil and tread plate. | 90 | 110 | 5 | 30 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | H16 strength level with improved ductility for roll-formed and lightly bent parts. | 100 | 130 | 5 | 32 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | For flat parts, roll-formed profiles and nameplates needing extra stiffness with only mild bending. | 110 | 130 | 4 | 33 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Full-hard strength with slightly more residual ductility than H18; used for strip and formed hard sheet. | 120 | 145 | 4 | 35 HB | 60.9 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Maximum cold-worked strength for flat blanks, fin stock, foil and shielding where forming is minimal. | 125 | 145 | 3 | 36 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Heavily cold-rolled strip, wire and foil where the highest attainable strength of pure aluminium is needed. | 145 | 160 | 2 | 38 HB | 60.8 % IACS |
What is 1050?
1050 is a commercially pure wrought aluminium (min 99.50 % Al) supplied as sheet, coil, foil, plate, bar and tube; strength comes only from cold work (H tempers) since there is no heat-treatable alloying. It is chosen for its very high electrical and thermal conductivity, excellent corrosion resistance, outstanding deep-drawing/spinning formability and bright anodic/reflective finish. Its limits are low mechanical strength, poor machinability (gummy chips), and loss of cold-work strength above roughly 100–150 °C. 1050 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0977 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of aluminum grades. It melts at 646°C (1,195 °F). 1050 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 1050 used for?
- Chemical storage tanks
- Architectural panels and cladding
- Heat-exchanger plate
- Busbar and electrical conductors
- Spun lighting reflectors
- Food and chemical process vessels
- Nameplates and signage
- Foil and packaging stock
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 229 W/m·K (132.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 61 % IACS, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 91% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 90 MPa (13.1 ksi), worse than 87% of aluminum grades
1050 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1050-H14; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
1050 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0977 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of aluminum grades. It melts at 646°C (1,195 °F).
Mechanical11
1050 has a yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
1050 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 229 W/m·K (132.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1050 conducts electricity at 61 % IACS, better than 96% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1050 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
1050's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 1050 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1050
Is 1050 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, low feed and flood coolant or lubricant; harder H16/H18 tempers cut and deburr much more cleanly.
Can 1050 be welded?
Excellent by GTAW/GMAW with 1100 or 1188 filler (4043 for restraint-free joints); the weld and HAZ revert to the O-temper strength.
Can 1050 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — O/H22/H24 tempers deep-draw, spin and roll-form with very tight bend radii; expect strong springback-free but low-strength parts.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 1050. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair30 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 420 / 500 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 0.8 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / 0.4 µm |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent85 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent92 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
| Minimum bend radius | 0.5× thickness |
| Spring-back | Low |
| Welding processes | MIG, TIG, SPOT, LASER |
1050 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) |
|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.25 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 |
| V | ≤ 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.03 |
| Others (each)each other element, max | ≤ 0.03 |
| Al | ≥ 99.5 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on 1050?
Ideal for bright and clear anodizing, chemical brightening and mirror polishing; also takes conversion coating and painting well, but the soft surface scratches easily.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 1050 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A91050
- Aluminum Association
- AA1050
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- Al99.5AW-10503.0255
- JIS
- A1050
How much does 1050 cost?
1050 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1050 — frequently asked
What is 1050 used for?
1050 is typically used for chemical storage tanks, architectural panels and cladding, heat-exchanger plate, busbar and electrical conductors, spun lighting reflectors and food and chemical process vessels. In short: pure aluminum; excellent corrosion.
What is the yield strength of 1050?
1050 has a typical yield strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — weaker than 87% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is 1050 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, low feed and flood coolant or lubricant; harder H16/H18 tempers cut and deburr much more cleanly.
Can 1050 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent by GTAW/GMAW with 1100 or 1188 filler (4043 for restraint-free joints); the weld and HAZ revert to the O-temper strength.
What surface finishes work on 1050?
Ideal for bright and clear anodizing, chemical brightening and mirror polishing; also takes conversion coating and painting well, but the soft surface scratches easily.
Can 1050 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — O/H22/H24 tempers deep-draw, spin and roll-form with very tight bend radii; expect strong springback-free but low-strength parts.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1050?
1050 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1050-H14 and 1050-H111?
H14 is the default condition — the general-purpose stocked temper: usable strength and stiffness with still-good bending for sheet, coil and tread plate. H111: nearly soft sheet/plate that has picked up slight work during flattening or straightening; formability close to O. Yield strength is 90 MPa in H14 versus 25 MPa in H111.
How much does 1050 cost?
1050 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1050?
Yes — 1050 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 485-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASTM B209 / B209M Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.