Aluminum 1200
AA 1200 · UNS A91200 · EN AW-1200, AW 1200 · JIS A1200 · BS 1C
1200 is a commercial-purity wrought aluminium (min 99.0 % Al) with only iron and silicon as significant residuals, supplied mainly as sheet, coil, foil stock, strip and tube.
1200 tempers and conditions
1200 is supplied in 13 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 13 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum ductility: deep drawing, spinning, hand-formed sheet, foil and chemical-tank linings. | 32 | 90 | 40 | 23 HB | 59 % IACS |
Slightly strain hardened | Near-O ductility with slightly higher strength; common designation on EN 485 sheet and coil for forming work. | 35 | 95 | 32 | 24 HB | 59 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | 1200 hot-fabricated (extrusion/plate) with incidental strain hardening from forming, meeting guaranteed minimum mechanical limits; slightly stronger than O temper with near-full ductility. | 40 | 90 | 28 | 24 HB | 58 % IACS |
As fabricated | As-fabricated 1200 commercially pure aluminium (hot-worked/extruded, no controlled strain hardening or thermal treatment); mechanical properties not guaranteed but typically near-annealed to slightly work-hardened. | 45 | 95 | 30 | 25 HB | 59 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Stabilized quarter-hard coil with better ductility than H12 at the same strength class — good for roll-formed profiles. | 75 | 105 | 16 | 28 HB | 58 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light temper for parts that still need bending or roll forming but more stiffness than O. | 85 | 105 | 14 | 28 HB | 58 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard temper with more residual bendability than H14; widely used for European sheet/coil and roofing strip. | 95 | 125 | 11 | 33 HB | 57 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | The standard stocked sheet/coil temper: good balance of moderate strength, workable bend radii and full corrosion/conductivity performance. | 105 | 120 | 9 | 32 HB | 57 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Three-quarter hard stabilized strip for stiff panels that still need mild forming. | 120 | 145 | 7 | 39 HB | 57 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Choose for flat panels, name plates and shallow-formed parts needing more stiffness with limited bending. | 125 | 140 | 6 | 38 HB | 57 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Full-hard stabilized thin strip/foil stock where flatness and consistent hardness matter more than ductility. | 145 | 160 | 5 | 44 HB | 57 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Highest practical cold-worked strength; used for flat strip, fin stock and foil where no forming is required. | 150 | 160 | 4 | 44 HB | 57 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Extra-hard thin strip/foil and wire where maximum as-rolled strength and springiness are wanted. | 165 | 175 | 3 | 47 HB | 56 % IACS |
What is 1200?
1200 is a commercial-purity wrought aluminium (min 99.0 % Al) with only iron and silicon as significant residuals, supplied mainly as sheet, coil, foil stock, strip and tube. It is chosen for very high formability, excellent atmospheric and chemical corrosion resistance, high thermal/electrical conductivity, bright anodizing and easy welding at low cost. Strength is low and only obtainable by cold work (H tempers), which anneals out above roughly 150 °C, and the soft matrix machines gummily, so it is unsuitable for load-bearing or precision-machined parts. 1200 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 645°C (1,193 °F). 1200 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 1200 used for?
- Tank and vessel linings
- Architectural sheet and cladding
- Chemical process equipment liners
- Lighting reflectors
- Nameplates and signage
- Roofing, flashing and ducting sheet
- Spun and deep-drawn hollowware
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 226 W/m·K (130.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 57 % IACS, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 105 MPa (15.2 ksi), worse than 84% of aluminum grades
1200 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
1200 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 645°C (1,193 °F).
Mechanical10
1200 has a yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
1200 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 226 W/m·K (130.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1200 conducts electricity at 57 % IACS, better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1200 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
1200's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (88/100).
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. 1200 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1200
Is 1200 easy to machine?
Very soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, low feed pressure and flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge and tearing; not a choice for fine threads or tight tolerances.
Can 1200 be welded?
Excellent by TIG/MIG (1100 or 4043 filler) and resistance welding; welds return to near-O strength, so design joints for annealed properties.
Can 1200 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O/H111 — deep drawing, spinning, roll forming and foil rolling; anneal at ~345 °C between severe operations.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1200. Every 1200 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent88 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent92 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
1200 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 combined max 1.00 % | ≤ 1 | 0.25 |
| FeSi + Fe combined max 1.00 % | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)0.15 % total | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | ≥ 99 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on 1200?
Anodizes bright and clear (decorative and reflector work), takes conversion coatings and paint well after alkaline clean; mechanical polish is easy but soft and scratch-prone.
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 1200 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A91200
- Aluminum Association
- AA1200
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-1200AW 1200Al99.03.0205
- BS
- 1C
- JIS
- A1200
How much does 1200 cost?
1200 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1200 — frequently asked
What is 1200 used for?
1200 is typically used for tank and vessel linings, architectural sheet and cladding, chemical process equipment liners, lighting reflectors, nameplates and signage and roofing, flashing and ducting sheet. In short: general-purpose pure; easy to form.
What is the yield strength of 1200?
1200 has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) — weaker than 84% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is 1200 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades). Very soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, low feed pressure and flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge and tearing; not a choice for fine threads or tight tolerances.
Can 1200 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent by TIG/MIG (1100 or 4043 filler) and resistance welding; welds return to near-O strength, so design joints for annealed properties.
What surface finishes work on 1200?
Anodizes bright and clear (decorative and reflector work), takes conversion coatings and paint well after alkaline clean; mechanical polish is easy but soft and scratch-prone.
Can 1200 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O/H111 — deep drawing, spinning, roll forming and foil rolling; anneal at ~345 °C between severe operations.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1200?
1200 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 1200 cost?
1200 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 99% 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 1200?
Yes — 1200 is available for 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
- 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 Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.