Aluminum 1050 · temper
Aluminum 1050-H18
Properties of the H18 condition, compared with the other 1050 tempers.
Maximum cold-worked strength for flat blanks, fin stock, foil and shielding where forming is minimal.
What is 1050-H18?
1050-H18 is 1050 in the H18 temper — maximum cold-worked strength for flat blanks, fin stock, foil and shielding where forming is minimal. 1050-H18 has a yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — weaker than 75% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 1050-H18 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). H14 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H18 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 61 % IACS, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 227 W/m·K (131.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 78/100, better than 91% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 38/100, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 125 MPa (18.1 ksi), worse than 75% of aluminum grades
1050-H18 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1050-H18 — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1050 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1050-H18 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-H18 has a yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — weaker than 75% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
1050-H18 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 227 W/m·K (131.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1050-H18 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-H18 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
1050-H18's machinability is fair (38/100, worse than 83% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1050 tempers and conditions
1050 is also supplied in 12 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1050 overview.
- H14DefaultThe general-purpose stocked temper: usable strength and stiffness with still-good bending for sheet, coil and tread plate.90 MPa yield · 30 HB
- H18Maximum cold-worked strength for flat blanks, fin stock, foil and shielding where forming is minimal.125 MPa yield · 36 HB
- H16For flat parts, roll-formed profiles and nameplates needing extra stiffness with only mild bending.110 MPa yield · 33 HB
- H24Very common Chinese stock temper for 1050 sheet: H14-level strength with noticeably better bend/draw behaviour.80 MPa yield · 30 HB
- H12Slight stiffening over O while retaining good bendability for light panels and enclosures.70 MPa yield · 25 HB
- OPick for deep drawing, spinning, hand forming, foil and maximum conductivity.30 MPa yield · 19 HB
Working with 1050-H18
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.
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.
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) |
1050-H18 — frequently asked
What is 1050-H18 used for?
1050-H18 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-H18?
1050-H18 has a typical yield strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — weaker than 75% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is 1050-H18 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, worse than 83% 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-H18 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-H18?
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-H18 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-H18?
1050-H18 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1050-H18?
Yes — 1050-H18 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.