Aluminum 1050 · temper
Aluminum 1050-H12
Properties of the H12 condition, compared with the other 1050 tempers.
Slight stiffening over O while retaining good bendability for light panels and enclosures.
What is 1050-H12?
1050-H12 is 1050 in the H12 temper — slight stiffening over O while retaining good bendability for light panels and enclosures. 1050-H12 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 1050-H12 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). H14 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H12 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 61.2 % IACS, better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 229 W/m·K (132.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 93% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 26/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 92% of aluminum grades
1050-H12 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1050-H12 — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1050 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1050-H12 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).
Mechanical11
1050-H12 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
1050-H12 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °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
1050-H12 conducts electricity at 61.2 % IACS, better than 97% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1050-H12 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
1050-H12's machinability is poor (26/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1050 tempers and conditions
1050 is also supplied in 12 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1050 overview.
- H14DefaultThe general-purpose stocked temper: usable strength and stiffness with still-good bending for sheet, coil and tread plate.90 MPa yield · 30 HB
- H18Maximum cold-worked strength for flat blanks, fin stock, foil and shielding where forming is minimal.125 MPa yield · 36 HB
- H16For flat parts, roll-formed profiles and nameplates needing extra stiffness with only mild bending.110 MPa yield · 33 HB
- H24Very common Chinese stock temper for 1050 sheet: H14-level strength with noticeably better bend/draw behaviour.80 MPa yield · 30 HB
- H12Slight stiffening over O while retaining good bendability for light panels and enclosures.70 MPa yield · 25 HB
- OPick for deep drawing, spinning, hand forming, foil and maximum conductivity.30 MPa yield · 19 HB
Working with 1050-H12
Is 1050 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, low feed and flood coolant or lubricant; harder H16/H18 tempers cut and deburr much more cleanly.
Can 1050 be welded?
Excellent by GTAW/GMAW with 1100 or 1188 filler (4043 for restraint-free joints); the weld and HAZ revert to the O-temper strength.
Can 1050 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — O/H22/H24 tempers deep-draw, spin and roll-form with very tight bend radii; expect strong springback-free but low-strength parts.
What surface finishes work on 1050?
Ideal for bright and clear anodizing, chemical brightening and mirror polishing; also takes conversion coating and painting well, but the soft surface scratches easily.
1050 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 %) |
|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.25 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.05 |
| V | ≤ 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.03 |
| Others (each)each other element, max | ≤ 0.03 |
| Al | ≥ 99.5 (balance) |
1050-H12 — frequently asked
What is 1050-H12 used for?
1050-H12 is typically used for chemical storage tanks, architectural panels and cladding, heat-exchanger plate, busbar and electrical conductors, spun lighting reflectors and food and chemical process vessels. In short: pure aluminum; excellent corrosion.
What is the yield strength of 1050-H12?
1050-H12 has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is 1050-H12 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (26/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, low feed and flood coolant or lubricant; harder H16/H18 tempers cut and deburr much more cleanly.
Can 1050-H12 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent by GTAW/GMAW with 1100 or 1188 filler (4043 for restraint-free joints); the weld and HAZ revert to the O-temper strength.
What surface finishes work on 1050-H12?
Ideal for bright and clear anodizing, chemical brightening and mirror polishing; also takes conversion coating and painting well, but the soft surface scratches easily.
Can 1050-H12 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — O/H22/H24 tempers deep-draw, spin and roll-form with very tight bend radii; expect strong springback-free but low-strength parts.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1050-H12?
1050-H12 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1050-H14 and 1050-H111?
H14 is the default condition — the general-purpose stocked temper: usable strength and stiffness with still-good bending for sheet, coil and tread plate. H111: nearly soft sheet/plate that has picked up slight work during flattening or straightening; formability close to O. Yield strength is 90 MPa in H14 versus 25 MPa in H111.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1050-H12?
Yes — 1050-H12 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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 485-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASTM B209 / B209M Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.