Aluminum
Aluminum 1085
Properties, tempers, machining, finishes and uses — values shown for the O condition.
1085 is a high-purity commercially pure aluminum grade (99.85% Al) in the EN 573 1xxx family, non-heat-treatable and strengthened only by rolling.
Reference datasheet — 1085 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
What is 1085?
1085 is a high-purity commercially pure aluminum grade (99.85% Al) in the EN 573 1xxx family, non-heat-treatable and strengthened only by rolling. It is used where electrical and thermal performance and surface quality govern: 234 W/m·K thermal conductivity, 62.5% IACS electrical conductivity and 40% elongation in the annealed condition, supplied mainly as foil, strip and thin sheet in O through H26 tempers. Mechanical strength is minimal (22 MPa yield, 65 MPa tensile, 19 HB) and machinability is rated 25, so it is not a structural or machined-part material. Service is limited to about 150 °C; 1080A covers most of the same reflector and foil work at slightly lower purity. 1085 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 646°C (1,195 °F). 1085 has a yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 1085 used for?
- high-brightness reflectors
- electronic foil
- specialty capacitor stock
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 95/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 234 W/m·K (135.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 62.5 % IACS, better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 40%, better than 98% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 97/100, better than 97% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 22 MPa (3.19 ksi), worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades
1085 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1085-O (choose for maximum formability, deep drawing, foil stock and best electrical/thermal conductivity), compiled from standards, handbooks and producer data. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher. Other conditions have their own pages: see tempers.
Physical3
1085 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 60% of aluminum grades. It melts at 646°C (1,195 °F).
Mechanical12
1085 has a yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 40% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
1085 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 234 W/m·K (135.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1085 conducts electricity at 62.5 % IACS, better than 99% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1085 takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 92% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 3%.
Manufacturability8
1085's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability excellent (97/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
1085 tempers and conditions
1085 is supplied in 12 conditions, each with its own property set. Open one for its full datasheet. O is what FabDigit quotes unless the drawing says otherwise.
- ODefaultChoose for maximum formability, deep drawing, foil stock and best electrical/thermal conductivity.22 MPa yield · 19 HB
- H18Fully cold-worked strip/foil: maximum strength and best rolled surface brightness, minimum ductility.115 MPa yield · 33 HB
- H16For flat panels and reflector strip needing more springback resistance; only gentle bends.100 MPa yield · 30 HB
- H26Stabilised three-quarter-hard strip for stamped reflector and trim parts requiring both strength and moderate bending.90 MPa yield · 29 HB
- H14Most common cold-worked sheet temper: good flatness and handling stiffness with usable bendability.85 MPa yield · 27 HB
- H24Half-hard but back-annealed: preferred over H14 when the part must still be bent or deep-drawn.75 MPa yield · 26 HB
- H12Light cold work for slightly stiffer sheet that still bends and draws easily.72 MPa yield · 24 HB
- H22Stabilised quarter-hard sheet with more ductility than H12 at similar strength — good for gentle forming.62 MPa yield · 23 HB
- H112Standard temper for hot-rolled thick plate, extruded bar and busbar profiles in high-purity aluminium.30 MPa yield · 21 HB
3 further conditions are listed below with a summary only.
| Condition | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ODefault annealed (fully soft) | Choose for maximum formability, deep drawing, foil stock and best electrical/thermal conductivity. | 22 | 65 | 40 | 19 HB | 62.5 % IACS |
as fabricated | Mill product with no controlled mechanical property limits; used for ingot-to-remelt, forging stock and hot-rolled plate to be further worked. | 30 | 70 | 30 | 20 HB | — |
annealed and slightly strain hardened during subsequent operations | Near-O condition for stretched/leveled sheet and extrusions where a little extra stiffness is acceptable. | 28 | 70 | 32 | 20 HB | — |
strain hardened from hot working, mechanical property limits applied | Standard temper for hot-rolled thick plate, extruded bar and busbar profiles in high-purity aluminium. | 30 | 72 | 28 | 21 HB | 62 % IACS |
strain hardened, quarter hard | Light cold work for slightly stiffer sheet that still bends and draws easily. | 72 | 85 | 12 | 24 HB | 62 % IACS |
strain hardened, half hard | Most common cold-worked sheet temper: good flatness and handling stiffness with usable bendability. | 85 | 95 | 9 | 27 HB | 62 % IACS |
strain hardened, three-quarter hard | For flat panels and reflector strip needing more springback resistance; only gentle bends. | 100 | 110 | 6 | 30 HB | 61.8 % IACS |
strain hardened, full hard | Fully cold-worked strip/foil: maximum strength and best rolled surface brightness, minimum ductility. | 115 | 125 | 5 | 33 HB | 61.5 % IACS |
extra hard (beyond H18) | Heavily rolled foil/wire condition used where maximum as-rolled strength is required. | 130 | 140 | 3 | 35 HB | 61.3 % IACS |
strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Stabilised quarter-hard sheet with more ductility than H12 at similar strength — good for gentle forming. | 62 | 85 | 15 | 23 HB | 62.2 % IACS |
strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard but back-annealed: preferred over H14 when the part must still be bent or deep-drawn. | 75 | 95 | 11 | 26 HB | 62 % IACS |
strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Stabilised three-quarter-hard strip for stamped reflector and trim parts requiring both strength and moderate bending. | 90 | 110 | 8 | 29 HB | 61.8 % IACS |
Working with 1085
Is 1085 easy to machine?
Very gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant/lubricant and chip-breaking geometry to avoid built-up edge and smearing.
Can 1085 be welded?
Excellent with TIG/MIG using 1100 or 1188 filler (or autogenous); no heat-treat recovery, so the HAZ simply returns to O-temper strength.
Can 1085 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O/H1x-low tempers — deep draws, spinning and foil rolling; springback is minimal but the metal galls, so use good drawing lubricant.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 1085 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
1085 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 | ≤ 0.08 | 0.04 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.12 | 0.07 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Mg | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Ga | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Others (each)each impurity | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Al99.85% min aluminium | ≥ 99.85 (balance) | — |
What surface finishes work on 1085?
Bright-dip and clear anodize give very high specular reflectance; also takes chemical brightening, mechanical polishing and vacuum-metallized coatings well.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing.
Plating
- Electroless Nickel (EN)
- Gold Plating
- Silver Plating
Organic Coating
- Epoxy Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 1085 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-1085Al99.85
- Also called
How much does 1085 cost?
1085 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
1085 — frequently asked
What is 1085 used for?
1085 is typically used for high-brightness reflectors, electronic foil and specialty capacitor stock. In short: highest conductivity 1xxx grade; foil and reflector purity; not a structural grade.
What is the yield strength of 1085?
1085 has a typical yield strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) and a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 1085 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades). Very gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant/lubricant and chip-breaking geometry to avoid built-up edge and smearing.
Can 1085 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent with TIG/MIG using 1100 or 1188 filler (or autogenous); no heat-treat recovery, so the HAZ simply returns to O-temper strength.
What surface finishes work on 1085?
Bright-dip and clear anodize give very high specular reflectance; also takes chemical brightening, mechanical polishing and vacuum-metallized coatings well.
Can 1085 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O/H1x-low tempers — deep draws, spinning and foil rolling; springback is minimal but the metal galls, so use good drawing lubricant.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1085?
1085 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 1085-O and 1085-H19?
O is the default condition — choose for maximum formability, deep drawing, foil stock and best electrical/thermal conductivity. H19: heavily rolled foil/wire condition used where maximum as-rolled strength is required. Yield strength is 22 MPa in O versus 130 MPa in H19.
How much does 1085 cost?
1085 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- EN 485-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum: Properties and Physical Metallurgy — ASM International (1984)
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.