Aluminum 8017-H12
Temper · default condition
AA 8017 · UNS A98017
H12 = strain hardened, quarter hard
The standard stocked intermediate temper for AA-8000 building-wire and cable conductors — strength enough to handle and pull, still soft enough to compress-terminate.
Values for the H12 condition
Other 8017 tempers and conditions
8017 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 8017.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Choose for maximum flexibility and highest conductivity, e.g. flexible building-wire conductors and terminations that must not relax. | 35 | 85 | 25 | 21 HB | 61.8 % IACS |
As fabricated | Mill feedstock condition of 9.5 mm redraw rod before drawing and tempering; properties are indicative only. | 75 | 110 | 18 | 28 HB | 61.5 % IACS |
Strain-hardened and partially annealed, special quarter-hard | Tightly controlled variant of H22 used by cable makers to hit a narrow tensile window for compression-connector qualification. | 80 | 105 | 18 | 29 HB | 61.3 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Same strength band as H12 but stabilised by partial annealing — preferred where consistent elongation and low connection relaxation matter. | 85 | 110 | 17 | 30 HB | 61.2 % IACS |
H12DefaultThis page Strain hardened, quarter hard | The standard stocked intermediate temper for AA-8000 building-wire and cable conductors — strength enough to handle and pull, still soft enough to compress-terminate. | 95 | 115 | 14 | 32 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard strength with recovered ductility — common for larger stranded conductors that must still bend into panels. | 105 | 125 | 12 | 35 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Pick when higher pull-out/tensile strength is needed in the conductor and some ductility can be traded away. | 115 | 130 | 9 | 37 HB | 60.8 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Stabilised three-quarter-hard wire — strength close to H16 with better bend behaviour and lower relaxation. | 120 | 140 | 8 | 40 HB | 60.8 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Highest routinely supplied strength for 8017 wire; used where mechanical loading of the conductor governs. | 130 | 145 | 6 | 42 HB | 60.5 % IACS |
What is 8017-H12?
8017-H12 is 8017 in the H12 temper — the standard stocked intermediate temper for AA-8000 building-wire and cable conductors — strength enough to handle and pull, still soft enough to compress-terminate. 8017-H12 has a yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — weaker than 86% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 8017-H12 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
- Conducts heat well — 231 W/m·K (133.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 61 % IACS, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 14%, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 95 MPa (13.8 ksi), worse than 86% of aluminum grades
8017-H12 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 8017-H12; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 8017 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
8017-H12 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
8017-H12 has a yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — weaker than 86% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
8017-H12 is rated for continuous service to 125°C (257 °F). It conducts heat at 231 W/m·K (133.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
8017-H12 conducts electricity at 61 % IACS, better than 96% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 57% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 8017-H12 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
8017-H12's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 8017-H12
Is 8017 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood coolant to avoid built-up edge; rarely machined since the alloy is sold as wire.
Can 8017 be welded?
Readily weldable by GTAW/GMAW with 1100 or 4043 filler and by resistance/compression welding; HAZ anneals to O-temper strength but conductivity is unaffected.
Can 8017 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold drawability from continuous-cast rod down to fine wire; bends and compression-terminates without cracking in O/H2x tempers, interanneal for heavy reductions.
What surface finishes work on 8017?
Normally supplied bare or extruded-insulated; anodizing gives only a dull grey functional film; tin or nickel plating on lug contact surfaces prevents galvanic problems with copper hardware.
8017 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Feprimary strengthening/dispersoid element | 0.55 – 0.8 | 0.68 |
| Cu | 0.1 – 0.2 | 0.15 |
| Mg | 0.01 – 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Bboron treatment to remove transition metals and raise conductivity | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Li | ≤ 0 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Alremainder, ≥99.0 | balance | — |
8017-H12 — frequently asked
What is 8017-H12 used for?
8017-H12 is typically used for electrical wire, cable conductors and bus bar. In short: 61 % IACS conductor alloy; stronger than 1350 wire; very high cold drawability.
What is the yield strength of 8017-H12?
8017-H12 has a typical yield strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — weaker than 86% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 8017-H12 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, flood coolant to avoid built-up edge; rarely machined since the alloy is sold as wire.
Can 8017-H12 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily weldable by GTAW/GMAW with 1100 or 4043 filler and by resistance/compression welding; HAZ anneals to O-temper strength but conductivity is unaffected.
What surface finishes work on 8017-H12?
Normally supplied bare or extruded-insulated; anodizing gives only a dull grey functional film; tin or nickel plating on lug contact surfaces prevents galvanic problems with copper hardware.
Can 8017-H12 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold drawability from continuous-cast rod down to fine wire; bends and compression-terminates without cracking in O/H2x tempers, interanneal for heavy reductions.
What is the maximum service temperature of 8017-H12?
8017-H12 is rated for continuous use to about 125°C (257 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 8017-H12 and 8017-O?
H12 is the default condition — the standard stocked intermediate temper for AA-8000 building-wire and cable conductors — strength enough to handle and pull, still soft enough to compress-terminate. O: choose for maximum flexibility and highest conductivity, e.g. flexible building-wire conductors and terminations that must not relax. Yield strength is 95 MPa in H12 versus 35 MPa in O.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B800 — 8000 Series Aluminum Alloy Wire for Electrical Purposes, Annealed and Intermediate Tempers — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B801 — Concentric-Lay-Stranded Conductors of 8000 Series Aluminum Alloy Wire — ASTM International (2020)
- 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.