Aluminum 8281
AA 8281 · EN AW-8281, AW 8281
8281 is a registered 8000 series (Al with minor Fe/Si-type additions) wrought aluminium alloy supplied as thin strip and foil; publicly available property data for this specific number is very sparse, so most engineering values below are dilute-8000-series class typicals rather than grade-specific certified data.
8281 tempers and conditions
8281 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for deep drawing, deadfold foil, laminating and any severe forming operation. | 35 | 90 | 22 | 23 HB | 56 % IACS |
As fabricated | As-rolled/as-extruded with no property guarantee — cheapest input for further processing. | 75 | 110 | 12 | 30 HB | 56 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Stabilised soft-intermediate temper when O is too weak but full forming ductility is still needed. | 90 | 115 | 9 | 32 HB | 55.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Balanced strength and bendability for stamped strip parts. | 110 | 130 | 6 | 36 HB | 55 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Common formable-yet-strong strip temper for containers, closures and fin/laminate stock. | 115 | 135 | 6 | 37 HB | 55 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | For flat, springy strip with only mild forming. | 130 | 150 | 4 | 42 HB | 55 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Stabilised harder strip for lightly formed, dimensionally stable parts. | 135 | 155 | 4 | 43 HB | 55 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Full-hard strip/foil where maximum flatness and tensile strength matter more than bending. | 150 | 165 | 3 | 47 HB | 55 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Highest-strength condition, used for thin hard foil/strip and tensioned coil applications; almost no formability left. | 160 | 175 | 2 | 50 HB | 54 % IACS |
What is 8281?
8281 is a registered 8000 series (Al with minor Fe/Si-type additions) wrought aluminium alloy supplied as thin strip and foil; publicly available property data for this specific number is very sparse, so most engineering values below are dilute-8000-series class typicals rather than grade-specific certified data. It is chosen where a non-heat-treatable, high-conductivity, highly formable aluminium strip is needed in soft (O) or fully strain-hardened (H19) condition. Limits: low strength, no response to precipitation hardening, and no published fracture-toughness or high-temperature design data — always work to the mill certificate for the actual coil. 8281 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). 8281 has a yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 8281 used for?
- Bushings
- Sleeve bearings
- Wear inserts
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 210 W/m·K (121.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 55 % IACS, better than 93% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 22%, better than 91% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 35 MPa (5.08 ksi), worse than 96% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
8281 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
8281 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
8281 has a yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
8281 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 210 W/m·K (121.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
8281 conducts electricity at 55 % IACS, better than 93% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 57% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 8281 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
8281's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 8281 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 8281
Is 8281 easy to machine?
Rarely machined — thin gauge; if machined use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed and flood lubricant to avoid smearing in O temper.
Can 8281 be welded?
Non-heat-treatable, so no HAZ strength loss beyond loss of cold work; resistance/ultrasonic/laser welding or 1000 series–4000-series filler TIG works, but thin foil is usually joined by adhesive or seaming.
Can 8281 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H22 (deep draw, deadfold, embossing); H18/H19 strip will crack on tight bends — form only along the rolling direction or re-anneal.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 8281. Every 8281 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Not Recommend92 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair70 / 100 |
8281 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) |
|---|---|
| AlBalance; 8281 is a registered 8000 series composition — the individual Fe/Si/Cu/other limits per the AA 'Teal Sheets' / EN 573-3 registration are not reproduced here because they could not be verified | balance |
What surface finishes work on 8281?
Takes conversion coating, lacquer and laminating adhesives well; anodizing gives a grey, non-decorative film — degrease rolling oil thoroughly before coating.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 8281 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Aluminum Association
- AA8281
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-8281AW 8281
How much does 8281 cost?
8281 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 80% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
8281 — frequently asked
What is 8281 used for?
8281 is typically used for bushings, sleeve bearings and wear inserts. In short: cast Sn-bearing bearing alloy.
What is the yield strength of 8281?
8281 has a typical yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 8281 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades). Rarely machined — thin gauge; if machined use sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed, low feed and flood lubricant to avoid smearing in O temper.
Can 8281 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Non-heat-treatable, so no HAZ strength loss beyond loss of cold work; resistance/ultrasonic/laser welding or 1000 series–4000-series filler TIG works, but thin foil is usually joined by adhesive or seaming.
What surface finishes work on 8281?
Takes conversion coating, lacquer and laminating adhesives well; anodizing gives a grey, non-decorative film — degrease rolling oil thoroughly before coating.
Can 8281 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O/H22 (deep draw, deadfold, embossing); H18/H19 strip will crack on tight bends — form only along the rolling direction or re-anneal.
What is the maximum service temperature of 8281?
8281 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 8281 cost?
8281 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 80% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 8281?
Yes — 8281 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 Alloys (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition and form of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- EN 546-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Foil — Mechanical properties — CEN (2007)
- 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; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.