Aluminum 4343-H18
Temper
AA 4343 · UNS A94343 · EN AW-4343, AW 4343
H18 = strain hardened, full hard
Only for thin braze foil/tape rolled to final gauge without intermediate anneal; almost no formability.
Values for the H18 condition
Other 4343 tempers and conditions
4343 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 4343.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Standard stocked condition for braze filler sheet/foil and clad brazing sheet blanks that must be deep drawn or formed before brazing. | 55 | 130 | 20 | 40 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Pick when H14-level strength is needed but bending/forming ductility must be preserved (typical for clad brazing strip). | 145 | 175 | 7 | 48 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Choose for braze foil/shim and clad sheet needing extra stiffness and flatness in handling, with only light forming. | 165 | 185 | 4 | 52 HB | 41 % IACS |
H18This page Strain hardened, full hard | Only for thin braze foil/tape rolled to final gauge without intermediate anneal; almost no formability. | 200 | 215 | 2 | 58 HB | 41 % IACS |
What is 4343-H18?
4343-H18 is 4343 in the H18 temper — only for thin braze foil/tape rolled to final gauge without intermediate anneal; almost no formability. 4343-H18 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 4343-H18 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 577°C (1,071 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 178 W/m·K (102.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 41 % IACS, better than 78% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 87% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
4343-H18 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 4343-H18; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 4343 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
4343-H18 has a density of 2.68 g/cm³ (0.0968 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of aluminum grades. It melts at 577°C (1,071 °F).
Mechanical10
4343-H18 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
4343-H18 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 178 W/m·K (102.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.6 µm/m·K (12 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
4343-H18 conducts electricity at 41 % IACS, better than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (59/100), better than 61% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 4343-H18 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
4343-H18's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (48/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 4343-H18
Is 4343 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy with abrasive Si particles — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge; rarely machined as a structural part.
Can 4343 be welded?
Primarily a filler/cladding alloy: excellent flow in CAB (NOCOLOK) and vacuum brazing at 590–610 °C; as a base metal it is weak and hot-short, so joints are made by brazing rather than fusion welding.
Can 4343 be formed, bent or molded?
O and H2x tempers roll and draw well as clad layers; keep total cold work low in H1x tempers and avoid tight bends where Si particles nucleate cracks.
What surface finishes work on 4343?
Anodizing gives dark, blotchy films (avoid for cosmetics); chemical conversion coating or painting after brazing, and flux residues must be washed off to prevent staining.
4343 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Siprovides low melting range for brazing | 6.8 – 8.2 | 7.5 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.8 | 0.35 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Others (each)per AA limits | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
4343-H18 — frequently asked
What is 4343-H18 used for?
4343-H18 is typically used for brazing sheet cladding for heat exchangers, radiator and charge-air cooler tube stock, evaporator and condenser plates, brazing filler wire and rod, brazing shim and preforms and oil cooler assemblies. In short: brazing clad alloy; 7% Si skin.
What is the yield strength of 4343-H18?
4343-H18 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 4343-H18 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy with abrasive Si particles — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge; rarely machined as a structural part.
Can 4343-H18 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (48/100). Primarily a filler/cladding alloy: excellent flow in CAB (NOCOLOK) and vacuum brazing at 590–610 °C; as a base metal it is weak and hot-short, so joints are made by brazing rather than fusion welding.
What surface finishes work on 4343-H18?
Anodizing gives dark, blotchy films (avoid for cosmetics); chemical conversion coating or painting after brazing, and flux residues must be washed off to prevent staining.
Can 4343-H18 be formed, bent or molded?
O and H2x tempers roll and draw well as clad layers; keep total cold work low in H1x tempers and avoid tight bends where Si particles nucleate cracks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 4343-H18?
4343-H18 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 4343-H18?
Yes — 4343-H18 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 6: Welding, Brazing and Soldering (aluminium brazing) — ASM International (1993)
- Aluminium brazing sheet (3003 core / 4343 clad) product data — Constellium / Granges (2022)
- MatWeb aluminium 4343 alloy entries — MatWeb LLC (2024)
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.