Aluminum 4045-H12
Temper
AA 4045 · UNS A94045 · EN AW-4045, AW 4045
H12 = strain hardened, quarter hard
Light cold work for slightly stiffer clad sheet that still forms readily.
Values for the H12 condition
Other 4045 tempers and conditions
4045 is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at 4045.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Default stock condition for brazing sheet cladding and formed heat-exchanger parts requiring maximum ductility before the braze cycle. | 45 | 110 | 20 | 30 HB | 41 % IACS |
As fabricated | Use for braze rod, wire and cast/hot-worked stock where no mechanical property limits are guaranteed. | 55 | 115 | 12 | 33 HB | 40 % IACS |
after furnace/CAB braze cycle (fillet metal) | Condition of the solidified 4045 fillet/clad after a 590–605 °C braze cycle; coarse Si structure, essentially annealed. | 60 | 130 | 6 | 40 HB | 38 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Stabilized quarter-hard strip with better ductility than H12 at similar strength. | 100 | 130 | 12 | 36 HB | 40 % IACS |
H12This page Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light cold work for slightly stiffer clad sheet that still forms readily. | 110 | 135 | 9 | 38 HB | 40 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Preferred half-hard temper for brazing sheet that must be roll-formed or stamped before the furnace cycle. | 125 | 155 | 8 | 43 HB | 40 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Most common as-rolled hard condition for fin and tube brazing sheet needing coil handling stiffness. | 145 | 165 | 5 | 45 HB | 40 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Stabilized three-quarter hard strip balancing strength and residual formability. | 155 | 180 | 5 | 50 HB | 40 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Higher strength coil for stiff, lightly formed fin stock. | 170 | 190 | 3 | 52 HB | 40 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Maximum cold-rolled strength; used where flat, springy strip is slit and only bent to large radii. | 195 | 215 | 2 | 58 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is 4045-H12?
4045-H12 is 4045 in the H12 temper — light cold work for slightly stiffer clad sheet that still forms readily. 4045-H12 has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 135 MPa (19.6 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 4045-H12 has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 577°C (1,071 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 62/100, better than 78% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 110 MPa (16 ksi), worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
4045-H12 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 4045-H12; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 4045 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
4045-H12 has a density of 2.67 g/cm³ (0.0965 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of aluminum grades. It melts at 577°C (1,071 °F).
Mechanical10
4045-H12 has a yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 135 MPa (19.6 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
4045-H12 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21 µm/m·K (11.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
4045-H12 conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 72% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (48/100), worse than 58% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 4045-H12 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
4045-H12's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades); weldability good (68/100); formability good (62/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 4045-H12
Is 4045 easy to machine?
Primary silicon is very abrasive — use PCD or polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed and flood coolant; expect gummy chips in the O temper.
Can 4045 be welded?
Rarely welded as a base metal; it is itself a filler (BAlSi-5) for GTAW/GMAW/torch brazing of 1000 series, 3000 and 6000 series alloys, and re-melts in furnace/CAB braze cycles at 590–605 °C.
Can 4045 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or H24 before brazing; heavy H16/H18 tempers crack on tight bends, and post-braze material is soft and easily distorted.
What surface finishes work on 4045?
Chemical/mechanical cleaning and flux removal are the norm; anodizing gives dark grey non-decorative films, so painting or chromate/Zr conversion coating is preferred.
4045 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Siprimary braze-filler element, lowers melting range | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.8 | 0.35 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Mgkept low for controlled-atmosphere (NOCOLOK) brazing | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | 0.02 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
4045-H12 — frequently asked
What is 4045-H12 used for?
4045-H12 is typically used for brazing sheet clad layer over 3003/3005 core, automotive radiator and condenser assemblies, evaporator plates and tube stock, heat exchanger fin stock, oil cooler plates and BAlSi-5 braze filler wire and rod. In short: brazing sheet skin alloy; 10% Si.
What is the yield strength of 4045-H12?
4045-H12 has a typical yield strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) and a tensile strength of 135 MPa (19.6 ksi) — weaker than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 4045-H12 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades). Primary silicon is very abrasive — use PCD or polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed and flood coolant; expect gummy chips in the O temper.
Can 4045-H12 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (68/100). Rarely welded as a base metal; it is itself a filler (BAlSi-5) for GTAW/GMAW/torch brazing of 1000 series, 3000 and 6000 series alloys, and re-melts in furnace/CAB braze cycles at 590–605 °C.
What surface finishes work on 4045-H12?
Chemical/mechanical cleaning and flux removal are the norm; anodizing gives dark grey non-decorative films, so painting or chromate/Zr conversion coating is preferred.
Can 4045-H12 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or H24 before brazing; heavy H16/H18 tempers crack on tight bends, and post-braze material is soft and easily distorted.
What is the maximum service temperature of 4045-H12?
4045-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 4045-H12?
Yes — 4045-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)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- AWS A5.10/A5.10M — Filler Metals for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys (BAlSi-5) — American Welding Society (2021)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 — Wrought aluminium: composition and mechanical properties of sheet — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminium brazing sheet (4045 clad on 3003 core) product data — Aluminium brazing-sheet producers (2023)
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.