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Aluminum 1188

AA 1188 · UNS A91188 · EN Al99.88

1188 (A91188, Al99.88) is a high-purity commercially pure aluminum in the 1000-series family, supplied at 99.88% Al minimum with very low Fe and Si and no strengthening additions.

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Reference datasheet — 1188 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.

Values for the O condition

1188 tempers and conditions

1188 is supplied in 12 conditions, soft to hard. O is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.

Compare all 12 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
ODefault
Annealed
Pick for maximum formability, conductivity and corrosion resistance — deep drawing, linings, foil stock, reflectors.22624517 HB62.5 % IACS
Slightly strain hardened
Near-O softness with the light work introduced by levelling; common on plate and extruded sections.28683819 HB62.3 % IACS
As fabricated
Hot-worked or extruded stock with no mechanical property limits; use where the part will be annealed or formed afterwards.30703219 HB62 % IACS
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard
Back-annealed quarter-hard temper: H12-level strength with better ductility for forming.52782422 HB62.2 % IACS
Strain hardened, quarter hard
Light cold work for slightly stiffer sheet that still forms and bends well.58782022 HB62 % IACS
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard
Half-hard sheet with restored bend ductility — the usual choice for formed panels and linings.66901626 HB62 % IACS
Strain hardened, half hard
The usual compromise temper for flat sheet that must hold shape yet still be bent.72901226 HB62 % IACS
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard
Three-quarter hard with partial anneal for strip that must still take a tight roll-form.801031030 HB61.8 % IACS
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard
Higher-strength strip where only mild forming (roll forming, gentle bends) is required.88103830 HB61.8 % IACS
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard
Full-hard stabilised strip where slightly better ductility than H18 is needed at similar strength.98118633 HB61.5 % IACS
Strain hardened, full hard
Full-hard strip and foil: highest practical strength for this purity, minimal formability.105118533 HB61.5 % IACS
Strain hardened, extra hard
Extra-hard rolling used mainly for thin capacitor/electrode foil where stiffness and handling strength matter.118132336 HB61.3 % IACS

What is 1188?

1188 (A91188, Al99.88) is a high-purity commercially pure aluminum in the 1000-series family, supplied at 99.88% Al minimum with very low Fe and Si and no strengthening additions. It is chosen where corrosion resistance, 62.5% IACS electrical conductivity, 235 W/m-K thermal conductivity and bright anodic finish outrank strength; forms include foil, thin sheet, strip and conductor stock in O, F, H111 and H12 through H28 tempers. Strength is minimal at 22 MPa yield, 62 MPa tensile, 17 HB with 45% elongation, machinability is 18, and service is capped near 200 C. Use 1100 or 1050 when this purity level is not required. 1188 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). 1188 has a yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).

What is 1188 used for?

  • electrolytic capacitor foil
  • high-purity chemical processing equipment
  • reflectors
  • specialty electrical conductors

Advantages

  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 100% of aluminum grades
  • Conducts heat well — 235 W/m·K (135.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of aluminum grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 100/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 62.5 % IACS, better than 99% of aluminum grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 98% of aluminum grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 22 MPa (3.19 ksi), worse than 99% of aluminum grades
  • Difficult to machine — 18/100, worse than 99% of aluminum grades

1188 properties

Typical room-temperature values for 1188-O; bars are the position among aluminum grades.

Physical3

1188 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).

Density2.7 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)657°C1,215 °F
Liquidus Temperature660°C1,220 °F

Mechanical10

1188 has a yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus69 GPa10 Msi
Shear Modulus26 GPa3.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus75 GPa10.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)62 MPa9 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)22 MPa3.2 ksi
Elongation at Break45%
Shear Strength45 MPa6.5 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)20 MPa2.9 ksi
Hardness, Brinell17 HB

Thermal6

1188 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 235 W/m·K (135.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity235 W/m·K136 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)23.6 µm/m·K13.1 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion397 J/g171 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)200°C392 °F
Min Service Temperature-270°C-454 °F

Electrical3

1188 conducts electricity at 62.5 % IACS, better than 99% of aluminum grades.

Electrical Conductivity62.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.76×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.09 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.85 V
Corrosion ResistanceVery good78/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent in neutral waters, atmosphere and many organics thanks to a self-healing oxide film; very low Fe/Cu content minimises pitting and intergranular attack. Attacked by strong alkalis, hydrochloric acid, mercury and mercury salts; avoid contact with copper alloys or graphite in wet service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 1188 takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 13.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)215 MJ/kg92,433 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)13.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water1,100 L/kg132 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability8

1188's machinability is poor (18/100, worse than 99% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (100/100).

MachinabilityPoor18/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)30%
WeldabilityExcellent92/100
Formability (cold)Excellent100/100
CastabilityFair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good80/100
PolishabilityExcellent90/100
Anodizing Responseexcellent — high purity gives clear, highly specular bright-anodised and hard-anodised films with minimal streaking; the preferred base for reflector and decorative bright anodising

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated23 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated25.6 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated4 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated96.7 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated9

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. 1188 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.

20501002005002.22.42.62.83Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale1188

Working with 1188

Is 1188 easy to machine?

Very soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood coolant or mist and generous chip clearance to avoid built-up edge; cold-worked H1x tempers cut noticeably cleaner than O.

Can 1188 be welded?

Excellent by TIG/MIG and resistance welding with 1100 or matching 1188 filler; the weld and HAZ revert to O-temper strength, so design joints for annealed properties.

Can 1188 be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability in O/H111 — deep drawing, spinning, tight bends and rolling down to thin foil; springback is minimal but the surface marks easily.

1188 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Si≤ 0.060.03
Fe≤ 0.060.04
Cukept very low for corrosion resistance≤ 0.010
Mn≤ 0.01
Mg≤ 0.01
Zn≤ 0.03
Ti≤ 0.01
VV+Ti often limited jointly≤ 0.05
Ga≤ 0.03
Others (each)≤ 0.01
Al99.88 % Al minimum by difference≥ 99.88 (balance)

What surface finishes work on 1188?

Ideal for bright and clear anodising and chemical/electro-brightening thanks to the low Fe/Si; polishes to a high specular reflectance, and takes conversion coatings and paint after standard alkaline etch/desmut.

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).

Equivalent designations

Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 1188 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.

UNS
A91188
EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
Al99.88

How much does 1188 cost?

1188 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.

1188 — frequently asked

What is 1188 used for?

1188 is typically used for electrolytic capacitor foil, high-purity chemical processing equipment, reflectors and specialty electrical conductors. In short: highest-purity 1000-series stock; best bright-anodizing aluminum; 62.5% IACS conductivity.

What is the yield strength of 1188?

1188 has a typical yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 62 MPa (8.99 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.

Is 1188 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (18/100, worse than 99% of aluminum grades). Very soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood coolant or mist and generous chip clearance to avoid built-up edge; cold-worked H1x tempers cut noticeably cleaner than O.

Can 1188 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent by TIG/MIG and resistance welding with 1100 or matching 1188 filler; the weld and HAZ revert to O-temper strength, so design joints for annealed properties.

What surface finishes work on 1188?

Ideal for bright and clear anodising and chemical/electro-brightening thanks to the low Fe/Si; polishes to a high specular reflectance, and takes conversion coatings and paint after standard alkaline etch/desmut.

Can 1188 be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability in O/H111 — deep drawing, spinning, tight bends and rolling down to thin foil; springback is minimal but the surface marks easily.

What is the maximum service temperature of 1188?

1188 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.

What is the difference between 1188-O and 1188-H19?

O is the default condition — pick for maximum formability, conductivity and corrosion resistance — deep drawing, linings, foil stock, reflectors. H19: extra-hard rolling used mainly for thin capacitor/electrode foil where stiffness and handling strength matter. Yield strength is 22 MPa in O versus 118 MPa in H19.

How much does 1188 cost?

1188 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.

Sources

  1. International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
  2. ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
  4. 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.