Aluminum 4006-H12
Temper
AA 4006 · UNS A94006 · EN AW-4006, AW 4006
H12 = strain hardened, quarter hard
Use when slightly more strength than the annealed state is needed; quarter-hard cold work gives 95 MPa yield while keeping 9% elongation and good bending behaviour.
Values for the H12 condition
Other 4006 tempers and conditions
4006 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 4006.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick the annealed temper for maximum formability (deep drawing, flanging) or when a dark, uniform grey anodised finish is wanted; strength is lowest at 45 MPa yield with 30% elongation. | 45 | 105 | 30 | 28 HB | 47 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Non-standard temper for this essentially non-heat-treatable Al-1Si-0.6Fe alloy; T4 behaves close to a soft solution-quenched, naturally aged state with only marginal strengthening over O temper and very high ductility. | 55 | 120 | 28 | 33 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Use at the low-strength end when stable elongation (13%) and resistance to age softening matter; the strip is cold worked, then partially annealed back to quarter hard. | 80 | 120 | 13 | 34 HB | 46 % IACS |
H12This page Strain hardened, quarter hard | Use when slightly more strength than the annealed state is needed; quarter-hard cold work gives 95 MPa yield while keeping 9% elongation and good bending behaviour. | 95 | 125 | 9 | 36 HB | 46 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Choose for decorative strip: strain hardened then partially annealed to the same strength class as H14 but with 8% elongation, so bent or roll-formed parts resist cracking before anodising. | 105 | 140 | 8 | 40 HB | 46 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | The most commonly stocked temper: strain hardened to half hard for a balance of strength and flatness, suited to blanked, lightly formed decorative strip that is anodised afterwards. | 125 | 145 | 5 | 42 HB | 46 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Choose for strip that must stay in the high-strength class yet still bend: strain hardened then partially annealed to three-quarter hard, 130 MPa yield with 5% elongation. | 130 | 160 | 5 | 46 HB | 46 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Pick for flat panels judged on stiffness and dent resistance rather than forming; three-quarter-hard rolling leaves only 3% elongation and a formability score of 45. | 145 | 165 | 3 | 48 HB | 46 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Choose the fully cold-rolled temper for the highest strength (165 MPa yield, 185 MPa tensile); at 2% elongation it suits flat plates, shims and other parts that are never bent. | 165 | 185 | 2 | 53 HB | 45 % IACS |
What is 4006-H12?
4006-H12 is 4006 in the H12 temper — use when slightly more strength than the annealed state is needed; quarter-hard cold work gives 95 MPa yield while keeping 9% elongation and good bending behaviour. 4006-H12 has a yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) — weaker than 86% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 4006-H12 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 630°C (1,166 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 188 W/m·K (108.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 46 % IACS, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 32/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 95 MPa (13.8 ksi), worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
4006-H12 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 4006-H12; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 4006 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
4006-H12 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 630°C (1,166 °F).
Mechanical10
4006-H12 has a yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) — weaker than 86% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
4006-H12 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 188 W/m·K (108.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23 µm/m·K (12.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
4006-H12 conducts electricity at 46 % IACS, better than 87% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 4006-H12 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
4006-H12's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability very good (72/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 4006-H12
Is 4006 easy to machine?
Soft and sticky with a strong tendency to built-up edge; use sharp high-rake tools, high cutting speed and ample emulsion or alcohol-based coolant. Clear fine chips promptly so they do not scratch surfaces destined for anodizing.
Can 4006 be welded?
TIG and MIG weldable with ER4043 filler. Weld and HAZ soften noticeably in the H tempers, and the weld area anodizes to a different colour than the parent sheet.
Can 4006 be formed, bent or molded?
O and H24 suit roll bending, roll forming and shallow stamping; H16 and H18 need bend radii of at least 2–3 t. Protect the surface before and after forming to avoid tool marks.
What surface finishes work on 4006?
Sulfuric anodizing is the main route, giving a uniform light grey (silver-grey) tone that can be electrolytically coloured. Mechanical polish brightness is limited by the silicon phases and chemical brightening is only fair; painting and electrophoretic coating are also possible.
4006 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Simain alloying element; sets grey tone after anodizing | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Fe | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Mg | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
4006-H12 — frequently asked
What is 4006-H12 used for?
4006-H12 is typically used for architectural decorative panels, appliance panels and facings, automotive trim strips, anodized cladding sheet, roll-formed profiles from strip and heat exchanger end caps. In short: casting and welding stock; good fluidity.
What is the yield strength of 4006-H12?
4006-H12 has a typical yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 125 MPa (18.1 ksi) — weaker than 86% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 4006-H12 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades). Soft and sticky with a strong tendency to built-up edge; use sharp high-rake tools, high cutting speed and ample emulsion or alcohol-based coolant. Clear fine chips promptly so they do not scratch surfaces destined for anodizing.
Can 4006-H12 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). TIG and MIG weldable with ER4043 filler. Weld and HAZ soften noticeably in the H tempers, and the weld area anodizes to a different colour than the parent sheet.
What surface finishes work on 4006-H12?
Sulfuric anodizing is the main route, giving a uniform light grey (silver-grey) tone that can be electrolytically coloured. Mechanical polish brightness is limited by the silicon phases and chemical brightening is only fair; painting and electrophoretic coating are also possible.
Can 4006-H12 be formed, bent or molded?
O and H24 suit roll bending, roll forming and shallow stamping; H16 and H18 need bend radii of at least 2–3 t. Protect the surface before and after forming to avoid tool marks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 4006-H12?
4006-H12 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 4006-H12?
Yes — 4006-H12 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 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- EN 485-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Sheet, strip and plate — Mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.