Aluminum 1080 · temper
Aluminum 1080-H12
Properties of the H12 condition, compared with the other 1080 tempers.
Light cold work for slightly stiffer sheet that still bends and forms readily.
What is 1080-H12?
1080-H12 is 1080 in the H12 temper — light cold work for slightly stiffer sheet that still bends and forms readily. 1080-H12 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 1080-H12 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 646°C (1,195 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 231 W/m·K (133.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 80/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 59 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 32/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
1080-H12 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1080-H12 — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1080 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1080-H12 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 646°C (1,195 °F).
Mechanical10
1080-H12 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
1080-H12 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 231 W/m·K (133.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1080-H12 conducts electricity at 59 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), better than 98% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1080-H12 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability7
1080-H12's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability excellent (88/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1080 tempers and conditions
1080 is also supplied in 11 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1080 overview.
- H18Fully work-hardened strip/foil temper; pick for maximum strength, flatness and slitting quality with minimal bending.125 MPa yield · 35 HB
- H16Choose for flat, springy strip and shallow forming where higher strength matters more than bend radius.100 MPa yield · 32 HB
- H14Common general-purpose sheet temper: better handling stiffness with usable bend performance.85 MPa yield · 28 HB
- H12Light cold work for slightly stiffer sheet that still bends and forms readily.70 MPa yield · 25 HB
- H112High-purity aluminium (Al 99.8) in the as-hot-worked H112 condition — slightly above annealed strength with guaranteed minimums, retaining excellent formability, conductivity and bright anodizing response.30 MPa yield · 21 HB
- ODefault stock condition: choose for deep drawing, spinning, foil, gaskets, cryogenic parts and maximum conductivity.25 MPa yield · 20 HB
Working with 1080-H12
Is 1080 easy to machine?
Very soft and gummy — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous flood or mist lubrication and avoid dwell to prevent built-up edge and smearing.
Can 1080 be welded?
Excellent by GTAW/GMAW with 1188 or 1100 filler; joint softens to near-O properties in cold-worked tempers and weld strength is limited to ~60–70 MPa.
Can 1080 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O/H1x2 tempers — deep drawing, spinning, foil rolling and tight bends; springback is minimal but tearing risk rises sharply in H18/H19.
What surface finishes work on 1080?
Ideal for bright/clear anodizing, chemical brightening and mechanical polishing; accepts conversion coating and paint, but soft surface scratches easily so hard anodize or a protective film is advised for handling.
1080 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. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| SiSi+Fe ≤ 0.20 in EN AW-1080A | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Ga | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Others (each)unspecified impurities, each | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Al99.80 % Al minimum | ≥ 99.8 (balance) | — |
1080-H12 — frequently asked
What is 1080-H12 used for?
1080-H12 is typically used for reflective surfaces and lighting reflectors, electrical capacitor foil, bright-anodized trim, decorative sheet and nameplates, conductor strip and foil and foil for laminates. In short: super pure; ultra conductivity.
What is the yield strength of 1080-H12?
1080-H12 has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 1080-H12 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades). Very soft and gummy — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous flood or mist lubrication and avoid dwell to prevent built-up edge and smearing.
Can 1080-H12 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent by GTAW/GMAW with 1188 or 1100 filler; joint softens to near-O properties in cold-worked tempers and weld strength is limited to ~60–70 MPa.
What surface finishes work on 1080-H12?
Ideal for bright/clear anodizing, chemical brightening and mechanical polishing; accepts conversion coating and paint, but soft surface scratches easily so hard anodize or a protective film is advised for handling.
Can 1080-H12 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O/H1x2 tempers — deep drawing, spinning, foil rolling and tight bends; springback is minimal but tearing risk rises sharply in H18/H19.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1080-H12?
1080-H12 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1080-H12?
Yes — 1080-H12 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 573-3 / EN 485-2 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and mechanical properties of sheet, strip and plate — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — 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.