Aluminum 1100 · temper
Aluminum 1100-H12
Properties of the H12 condition, compared with the other 1100 tempers.
Light cold work — a compromise when O is too floppy but forming is still moderately severe.
What is 1100-H12?
1100-H12 is 1100 in the H12 temper — light cold work — a compromise when O is too floppy but forming is still moderately severe. 1100-H12 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 1100-H12 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 643°C (1,189 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 222 W/m·K (128.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 94% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 57 % IACS, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 32/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), worse than 84% of aluminum grades
1100-H12 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1100-H12 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1100 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1100-H12 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 643°C (1,189 °F).
Mechanical11
1100-H12 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
1100-H12 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 222 W/m·K (128.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 94% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1100-H12 conducts electricity at 57 % IACS, better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1100-H12 takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
1100-H12's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1100 tempers and conditions
1100 is also supplied in 11 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1100 overview.
- H18Maximum cold-worked strength for flat parts, foil stock and stampings needing springiness rather than bendability.150 MPa yield · 44 HB
- H16Choose when a stiffer, more dent-resistant panel is needed and only gentle bends are required.140 MPa yield · 38 HB
- H14The default stock temper for 1100 sheet and coil — usable strength with still-excellent bending and welding.115 MPa yield · 32 HB
- H12Light cold work — a compromise when O is too floppy but forming is still moderately severe.105 MPa yield · 28 HB
- H113Commercially pure 1100 aluminium supplied as hot-rolled plate with a small amount of incidental strain hardening, giving strength just above the annealed condition while retaining excellent formability, weldability and conductivity.90 MPa yield · 28 HB
- H112Standard temper for thick 1100 plate and extruded shapes where cold rolling is not applicable.45 MPa yield · 25 HB
- OPick for maximum ductility — deep drawing, spinning, severe bending and highest conductivity.34 MPa yield · 23 HB
Working with 1100-H12
Is 1100 easy to machine?
Very gummy — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high surface speed, generous flood or mist lubrication and large chip clearance to avoid built-up edge; harder H16/H18 tempers finish noticeably better.
Can 1100 be welded?
Excellent by GTAW/GMAW/resistance and brazing; use ER1100 (or ER4043 where cracking is a concern) and accept that the HAZ reverts to O-temper strength.
Can 1100 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep draws, spinning and tight bends (≈0–1 t bend radius in O/H12); anneal at 340–400 °C between severe forming steps.
What surface finishes work on 1100?
Anodizes bright and clear, takes dyes evenly, buffs to a high specular reflector finish, and accepts chromate/chemical conversion, paint and electroplating well.
1100 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Si+Fecombined Si plus Fe limit per AA/ASTM B209 | ≤ 0.95 | — |
| Cuintentional addition for strength | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al99.00 % minimum aluminium | ≥ 99 (balance) | — |
1100-H12 — frequently asked
What is 1100-H12 used for?
1100-H12 is typically used for heat-exchanger fins, deep-drawn and spun parts, chemical vessels and tank liners, lighting reflectors, nameplates and signage and ER1100 welding and brazing filler. In short: ultra-soft; maximum conductivity.
What is the yield strength of 1100-H12?
1100-H12 has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 1100-H12 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 88% of aluminum grades). Very gummy — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high surface speed, generous flood or mist lubrication and large chip clearance to avoid built-up edge; harder H16/H18 tempers finish noticeably better.
Can 1100-H12 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent by GTAW/GMAW/resistance and brazing; use ER1100 (or ER4043 where cracking is a concern) and accept that the HAZ reverts to O-temper strength.
What surface finishes work on 1100-H12?
Anodizes bright and clear, takes dyes evenly, buffs to a high specular reflector finish, and accepts chromate/chemical conversion, paint and electroplating well.
Can 1100-H12 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep draws, spinning and tight bends (≈0–1 t bend radius in O/H12); anneal at 340–400 °C between severe forming steps.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1100-H12?
1100-H12 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1100-H12?
Yes — 1100-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
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- 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)
- JIS H 4000 — Aluminium and aluminium alloy sheets, strips and plates — JSA (2014)
- MMPDS-style typical mechanical property tables for 1xxx wrought products — Battelle / FAA (2022)
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.