Aluminum 1200 · temper
Aluminum 1200-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other 1200 tempers.
Pick for maximum ductility: deep drawing, spinning, hand-formed sheet, foil and chemical-tank linings.
What is 1200-O?
1200-O is 1200 in the O temper — pick for maximum ductility: deep drawing, spinning, hand-formed sheet, foil and chemical-tank linings. 1200-O has a yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) and a tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) — weaker than 97% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 1200-O 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).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 40%, better than 98% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 230 W/m·K (132.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 96/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 59 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 32 MPa (4.64 ksi), worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades
1200-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1200-O — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1200 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1200-O 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-O has a yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) and a tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) — weaker than 97% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
1200-O is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 230 W/m·K (132.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1200-O conducts electricity at 59 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1200-O 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-O's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (96/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1200 tempers and conditions
1200 is also supplied in 12 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1200 overview.
- H18Highest practical cold-worked strength; used for flat strip, fin stock and foil where no forming is required.150 MPa yield · 44 HB
- H16Choose for flat panels, name plates and shallow-formed parts needing more stiffness with limited bending.125 MPa yield · 38 HB
- H14The standard stocked sheet/coil temper: good balance of moderate strength, workable bend radii and full corrosion/conductivity performance.105 MPa yield · 32 HB
- H12Light temper for parts that still need bending or roll forming but more stiffness than O.85 MPa yield · 28 HB
- FAs-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 MPa yield · 25 HB
- H1121200 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 MPa yield · 24 HB
- OPick for maximum ductility: deep drawing, spinning, hand-formed sheet, foil and chemical-tank linings.32 MPa yield · 23 HB
Working with 1200-O
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.
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.
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) | — |
1200-O — frequently asked
What is 1200-O used for?
1200-O 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-O?
1200-O has a typical yield strength of 32 MPa (4.64 ksi) and a tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) — weaker than 97% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is 1200-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 96% 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-O 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-O?
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-O 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-O?
1200-O 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1200-O?
Yes — 1200-O is available for 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 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.