Aluminum CP-Al-H18
Temper
H18 = strain hardened, full hard
Maximum cold-worked strength; use for flat parts, foil and fin stock where no bending is required.
Values for the H18 condition
Other CP-Al tempers and conditions
CP-Al is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at CP-Al.
Compare all 11 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Wrought reference condition: softest and most formable, maximum conductivity — used for deep-drawn and clad-type parts. | 28 | 76 | 39 | 20 HB | 61.5 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Closes residual gas porosity for vacuum-tight or high-conductivity parts; softens the material to near-annealed strength. | 30 | 80 | 48 | 20 HB | 61 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Pick when distortion after plate removal or machining must be avoided while keeping near as-built properties. | 45 | 95 | 42 | 25 HB | 58 % IACS |
ABDefault As built (as printed) | Default supply state of LPBF pure-Al parts; highest as-printed hardness/strength but retains residual stress and slightly reduced conductivity. | 55 | 105 | 38 | 28 HB | 55 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Stabilised quarter-hard condition with better ductility than H12 at similar strength. | 70 | 95 | 14 | 25 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light cold work for slightly stiffer sheet that still bends easily. | 75 | 95 | 12 | 26 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Preferred over H14 when tighter bend radii are needed at similar strength. | 90 | 110 | 9 | 29 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | The most common wrought 1050A sheet temper — good balance of formability and handling stiffness. | 95 | 110 | 7 | 30 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Stabilised three-quarter-hard strip for roll forming with moderate ductility. | 110 | 130 | 6 | 34 HB | 61 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Higher strength strip for shallow forming and roll-formed profiles. | 115 | 130 | 5 | 35 HB | 61 % IACS |
H18This page Strain hardened, full hard | Maximum cold-worked strength; use for flat parts, foil and fin stock where no bending is required. | 135 | 150 | 4 | 38 HB | 61 % IACS |
What is CP-Al-H18?
CP-Al-H18 is CP-Al in the H18 temper — maximum cold-worked strength; use for flat parts, foil and fin stock where no bending is required. CP-Al-H18 has a yield strength of 135 MPa (19.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 72% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). CP-Al-H18 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0977 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of aluminum grades. It melts at 646°C (1,195 °F). AB is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H18 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 229 W/m·K (132.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 61 % IACS, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 78/100, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
CP-Al-H18 properties
Typical room-temperature values for CP-Al-H18; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CP-Al reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
CP-Al-H18 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0977 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of aluminum grades. It melts at 646°C (1,195 °F).
Mechanical12
CP-Al-H18 has a yield strength of 135 MPa (19.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 72% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
CP-Al-H18 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 229 W/m·K (132.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CP-Al-H18 conducts electricity at 61 % IACS, better than 96% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CP-Al-H18 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
CP-Al-H18's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with CP-Al-H18
Is CP-Al easy to machine?
Very gummy — use polished high-rake carbide or PCD tools, high speed, low feed and flood/MQL lubrication to avoid built-up edge and smearing of printed surfaces.
Can CP-Al be welded?
Excellent with TIG/MIG using ER1100 or ER4043 filler; joints are as-annealed strength, so design for the O-temper allowables and avoid welding across load-bearing thin walls.
Can CP-Al be formed, bent or molded?
LPBF processing window is narrow because of high reflectivity and thermal conductivity — needs high power/low speed, warm platform and rigorous powder drying; wrought forms cold-form and deep-draw extremely well.
What surface finishes work on CP-Al?
Bright/clear anodizes very well and is easy to polish, but the soft surface scratches easily; printed skins should be blasted or machined before anodizing, and chemical-conversion (chromate-free) coatings work for paint adhesion.
CP-Al 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 | ≤ 0.25 | 0.08 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.07 | 0.02 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Others (each)EN 573-3 1050A: others each ≤0.03 | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Otypical oxygen limit for gas-atomised LPBF powder (not in wrought spec) | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Alminimum purity per EN 573-3 / GB/T 3190 for 1050A | ≥ 99.5 (balance) | — |
CP-Al-H18 — frequently asked
What is CP-Al-H18 used for?
CP-Al-H18 is typically used for electrical conductors, heat sinks, chemical-resistant components and RF/EMI shielding parts. In short: highest-conductivity aluminum grade; lowest strength 1000-series alloy; best formability, poorest machinability.
What is the yield strength of CP-Al-H18?
CP-Al-H18 has a typical yield strength of 135 MPa (19.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 72% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is CP-Al-H18 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades). Very gummy — use polished high-rake carbide or PCD tools, high speed, low feed and flood/MQL lubrication to avoid built-up edge and smearing of printed surfaces.
Can CP-Al-H18 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent with TIG/MIG using ER1100 or ER4043 filler; joints are as-annealed strength, so design for the O-temper allowables and avoid welding across load-bearing thin walls.
What surface finishes work on CP-Al-H18?
Bright/clear anodizes very well and is easy to polish, but the soft surface scratches easily; printed skins should be blasted or machined before anodizing, and chemical-conversion (chromate-free) coatings work for paint adhesion.
Can CP-Al-H18 be formed, bent or molded?
LPBF processing window is narrow because of high reflectivity and thermal conductivity — needs high power/low speed, warm platform and rigorous powder drying; wrought forms cold-form and deep-draw extremely well.
What is the maximum service temperature of CP-Al-H18?
CP-Al-H18 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.
What is the difference between CP-Al-AB and CP-Al-H18?
AB is the default condition — default supply state of LPBF pure-Al parts; highest as-printed hardness/strength but retains residual stress and slightly reduced conductivity. H18: maximum cold-worked strength; use for flat parts, foil and fin stock where no bending is required. Yield strength is 55 MPa in AB versus 135 MPa in H18.
Sources
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 (1050A chemistry and sheet properties) — CEN (2019)
- Aluminum Standards and Data (Teal Sheets), 1000-series alloys — The Aluminum Association (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Gas-atomised commercially pure aluminium powder for LPBF — AM powder producers (typical datasheet values) (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.