Aluminum 8281-H18
Temper
AA 8281 · EN AW-8281, AW 8281
H18 = strain hardened, full hard
Full-hard strip/foil where maximum flatness and tensile strength matter more than bending.
Values for the H18 condition
Other 8281 tempers and conditions
8281 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 8281.
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 |
H18This page 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-H18?
8281-H18 is 8281 in the H18 temper — full-hard strip/foil where maximum flatness and tensile strength matter more than bending. 8281-H18 has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 8281-H18 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 — 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
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
8281-H18 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 8281-H18; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 8281 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
8281-H18 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-H18 has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
8281-H18 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °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-H18 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-H18 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-H18's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 8281-H18
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.
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.
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 |
8281-H18 — frequently asked
What is 8281-H18 used for?
8281-H18 is typically used for bushings, sleeve bearings and wear inserts. In short: cast Sn-bearing bearing alloy.
What is the yield strength of 8281-H18?
8281-H18 has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) — weaker than 65% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 8281-H18 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% 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-H18 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-H18?
Takes conversion coating, lacquer and laminating adhesives well; anodizing gives a grey, non-decorative film — degrease rolling oil thoroughly before coating.
Can 8281-H18 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-H18?
8281-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 8281-H18?
Yes — 8281-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 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.