Aluminum 1070 · temper
Aluminum 1070-H12
Properties of the H12 condition, compared with the other 1070 tempers.
Light cold work when slightly more stiffness/handling strength is needed but forming is still required.
What is 1070-H12?
1070-H12 is 1070 in the H12 temper — light cold work when slightly more stiffness/handling strength is needed but forming is still required. 1070-H12 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 1070-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).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 226 W/m·K (130.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 59 % IACS, better than 95% 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 — 88/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
1070-H12 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1070-H12 — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1070 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1070-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).
Mechanical10
1070-H12 has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
1070-H12 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 226 W/m·K (130.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1070-H12 conducts electricity at 59 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1070-H12 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability7
1070-H12's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (88/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1070 tempers and conditions
1070 is also supplied in 10 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1070 overview.
- H18Full-hard strip/foil for maximum work-hardened strength, springy flatness and clean blanking.122 MPa yield · 35 HB
- H16Choose for flat strip and stamped parts needing higher stiffness with only gentle bends.105 MPa yield · 33 HB
- H14Most common cold-worked sheet temper: better handling strength and flatness with moderate bending ability.92 MPa yield · 30 HB
- H24Half-hard sheet with restored ductility — preferred over H14 when tight bends or spinning are required.80 MPa yield · 31 HB
- H12Light cold work when slightly more stiffness/handling strength is needed but forming is still required.70 MPa yield · 25 HB
- H112Hot-worked extrusion/plate temper of 99.7% pure aluminium retaining slight work hardening, giving strength just above annealed with very high ductility and conductivity.40 MPa yield · 22 HB
- ODefault stock condition for foil, deep-drawn parts, capacitor/conductor strip and anything needing maximum ductility and conductivity.25 MPa yield · 19 HB
Working with 1070-H12
Is 1070 easy to machine?
Very soft and gummy — use polished high-rake tools, sharp inserts, high speed with low feed and generous lubricant; consider H18 temper or 6061 substitution for machined parts.
Can 1070 be welded?
Excellent with TIG/MIG using 1100 or 1188 filler (1070 wire for conductor work); resistance and friction-stir welding also fine, but weld metal reverts to annealed strength.
Can 1070 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding deep drawing, spinning, roll forming and foil rolling in O/H2x tempers; springback is low but the material galls, so use good lubrication and polished dies.
What surface finishes work on 1070?
Anodizes to clear, bright films (standard for reflectors and bright trim); accepts chemical brightening, chromate/chrome-free conversion coating and paint, but the soft surface dents and scratches easily.
1070 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiAA limit; EN AW-1070A limits Si 0.20 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.08 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.25 | 0.15 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | 0.01 |
| Others (each)each other element | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Alminimum aluminium content defines the grade | ≥ 99.7 (balance) | — |
1070-H12 — frequently asked
What is 1070-H12 used for?
1070-H12 is typically used for electrical conductors and busbars, chemical processing tanks and liners, deep-drawn and spun vessels, foil and thin strip, reflector sheet and bright trim and heat transfer fin stock. In short: very high purity; high conductivity.
What is the yield strength of 1070-H12?
1070-H12 has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is 1070-H12 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades). Very soft and gummy — use polished high-rake tools, sharp inserts, high speed with low feed and generous lubricant; consider H18 temper or 6061 substitution for machined parts.
Can 1070-H12 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent with TIG/MIG using 1100 or 1188 filler (1070 wire for conductor work); resistance and friction-stir welding also fine, but weld metal reverts to annealed strength.
What surface finishes work on 1070-H12?
Anodizes to clear, bright films (standard for reflectors and bright trim); accepts chemical brightening, chromate/chrome-free conversion coating and paint, but the soft surface dents and scratches easily.
Can 1070-H12 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding deep drawing, spinning, roll forming and foil rolling in O/H2x tempers; springback is low but the material galls, so use good lubrication and polished dies.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1070-H12?
1070-H12 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1070-H12?
Yes — 1070-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 573-3 / EN 485-2 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: composition and sheet properties — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Commercially pure aluminium 1070/1070A sheet, strip and foil datasheets — various mills (Chalco, Constellium, Alcoa) (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.