Aluminum 1090
AA 1090 · EN AW-1090, AW 1090
1090 is a high-purity commercial aluminium (min 99.90 % Al) supplied mainly as foil, strip, sheet and busbar/conductor stock.
1090 tempers and conditions
1090 is supplied in 11 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 11 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Default stock condition: maximum ductility and conductivity for deep drawing, spinning, foil, capacitor and conductor applications. | 22 | 65 | 42 | 19 HB | 62 % IACS |
As fabricated | Hot-rolled or extruded stock with no mechanical property guarantee — for remelt, further working or non-structural parts. | 30 | 70 | 30 | 20 HB | 62 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Back-annealed from a harder temper for better ductility at the same strength level as H12 — good for drawn/stretched parts. | 60 | 80 | 22 | 23 HB | 61.9 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light cold work for slightly stiffer sheet/strip that still bends and forms readily. | 65 | 80 | 20 | 24 HB | 61.8 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard strength with noticeably better bend performance than H14; common for formed foil laminates and strip. | 75 | 95 | 12 | 26 HB | 61.6 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Best general-purpose sheet balance: usable stiffness with acceptable bending for enclosures, trim and conductor strip. | 80 | 95 | 10 | 27 HB | 61.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Stiff strip that must still take a light forming or seaming operation. | 90 | 110 | 8 | 29 HB | 61.3 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Choose for flat parts needing more springiness and dent resistance with only mild forming. | 95 | 110 | 7 | 30 HB | 61.3 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Full-hard strength with slightly relieved internal stress; used for flat, springy thin strip and foil. | 105 | 125 | 5 | 32 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Fully cold-worked strip and household/technical foil where flatness and stiffness matter more than bending. | 110 | 125 | 5 | 33 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Highest cold-work level, typical of thin technical foil and drawn wire; essentially no formability left. | 125 | 140 | 3 | 35 HB | 60.8 % IACS |
What is 1090?
1090 is a high-purity commercial aluminium (min 99.90 % Al) supplied mainly as foil, strip, sheet and busbar/conductor stock. It is chosen for maximum electrical and thermal conductivity, excellent corrosion resistance, brilliant bright-anodised or chemically brightened finishes, and outstanding cold formability. Its limits are very low strength (it cannot be heat-treated, only strain-hardened), poor machinability due to gumminess, and rapid softening above ~100 °C in work-hardened tempers. 1090 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 657°C (1,215 °F). 1090 has a yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 1090 used for?
- Capacitor foil
- Vacuum-chamber components
- Reflector sheet
- Conductor and busbar stock
- Bright-anodized trim
- Thin-gauge rolled foil
- Chemical process liners
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 42%, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 234 W/m·K (135.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 62 % IACS, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 98/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 97% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 22 MPa (3.19 ksi), worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades
1090 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
1090 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 657°C (1,215 °F).
Mechanical10
1090 has a yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
1090 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 234 W/m·K (135.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1090 conducts electricity at 62 % IACS, better than 99% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1090 takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
1090's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (98/100).
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. 1090 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1090
Is 1090 easy to machine?
Very gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, sharp tools and generous lubrication to avoid built-up edge and torn surfaces; not suited to fine threads or tight tolerances.
Can 1090 be welded?
Excellent with TIG/MIG using ER1100 or high-purity ER1188 filler; resistance and ultrasonic welding also fine, but the weld and HAZ are annealed so H-temper strength is lost.
Can 1090 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O/H2x tempers — deep drawing, spinning, embossing and rolling down to thin foil; expect strong springback-free but low-strength results and possible orange-peel from coarse grain.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1090. Every 1090 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair25 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent98 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent92 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
1090 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Simax per EN 573-3 / AA registration | ≤ 0.07 | 0.03 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.07 | 0.04 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Ga | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Others (each)others total 0.03 max | ≤ 0.01 | |
| AlAl99.90 — verify exact impurity limits against the governing edition of EN 573-3 / GB/T 3190 | ≥ 99.9 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on 1090?
Ideal base for bright/clear anodising, chemical brightening and mirror polishing (reflectors, trim); films are thin and soft, so hard anodising or plating is preferred where wear matters.
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 1090 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Aluminum Association
- AA1090
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-1090AW 1090
How much does 1090 cost?
1090 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1090 — frequently asked
What is 1090 used for?
1090 is typically used for capacitor foil, vacuum-chamber components, reflector sheet, conductor and busbar stock, bright-anodized trim and thin-gauge rolled foil. In short: near-pure aluminum; ultra-clean.
What is the yield strength of 1090?
1090 has a typical yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is 1090 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades). Very gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, sharp tools and generous lubrication to avoid built-up edge and torn surfaces; not suited to fine threads or tight tolerances.
Can 1090 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent with TIG/MIG using ER1100 or high-purity ER1188 filler; resistance and ultrasonic welding also fine, but the weld and HAZ are annealed so H-temper strength is lost.
What surface finishes work on 1090?
Ideal base for bright/clear anodising, chemical brightening and mirror polishing (reflectors, trim); films are thin and soft, so hard anodising or plating is preferred where wear matters.
Can 1090 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O/H2x tempers — deep drawing, spinning, embossing and rolling down to thin foil; expect strong springback-free but low-strength results and possible orange-peel from coarse grain.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1090?
1090 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 1090 cost?
1090 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 82% 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 1090?
Yes — 1090 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 573-3 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys, chemical composition of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 485-2 — Aluminium sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties — CEN (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.