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Aluminum 1230 · temper

Aluminum 1230-H12

Properties of the H12 condition, compared with the other 1230 tempers.

Light cold work when slightly stiffer sheet is needed but forming must stay easy.

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Request a quote in 1230-H121230 overview

What is 1230-H12?

1230-H12 is 1230 in the H12 temper — light cold work when slightly stiffer sheet is needed but forming must stay easy. 1230-H12 has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 1230-H12 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).

Advantages

  • Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 99% of aluminum grades
  • Conducts heat well — 229 W/m·K (132.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of aluminum grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 60 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades
  • Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 28/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
  • Low strength — 75 MPa (10.9 ksi), worse than 91% of aluminum grades

1230-H12 properties

Typical room-temperature values for 1230-H12 — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1230 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.

Physical3

1230-H12 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).

Density2.7 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)646°C1,195 °F
Liquidus Temperature657°C1,215 °F

Mechanical10

1230-H12 has a yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus69 GPa10 Msi
Shear Modulus26 GPa3.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus68 GPa9.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)95 MPa13.8 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)75 MPa10.9 ksi
Elongation at Break12%
Shear Strength58 MPa8.4 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)30 MPa4.4 ksi
Hardness, Brinell25 HB

Thermal6

1230-H12 is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °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).

Thermal Conductivity229 W/m·K132 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)23.6 µm/m·K13.1 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion397 J/g171 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)130°C266 °F
Min Service Temperature-270°C-454 °F

Electrical3

1230-H12 conducts electricity at 60 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades.

Electrical Conductivity60 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.83×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.11 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 99% of aluminum grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.84 V
Corrosion ResistanceVery good82/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryVery good in neutral water, atmosphere and most organics; attacked by strong alkalis and strong acids; avoid contact with copper alloys or graphite in wet service (galvanic corrosion).

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 1230-H12 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)205 MJ/kg88,134 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)12 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content10%

Manufacturability8

1230-H12's machinability is poor (28/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (88/100).

MachinabilityPoor28/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)25%
WeldabilityExcellent92/100
Formability (cold)Excellent88/100
CastabilityFair45/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good70/100
PolishabilityExcellent85/100
Anodizing Responsegood — clear, bright films with high specular retention; low strength means anodized parts stay dimensionally delicate

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.

Other 1230 tempers and conditions

1230 is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1230 overview.

Working with 1230-H12

Is 1230 easy to machine?

Very gummy — use sharp high-rake polished carbide tools, high speed, low feed pressure and flood lubricant; expect burrs and built-up edge.

Can 1230 be welded?

Excellent with GTAW/GMAW using 1100 or 1188 filler; autogenous welds are sound but weld zone anneals to O-temper strength.

Can 1230 be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability in O/H2x tempers — deep drawing, roll forming and foil rolling to <10 µm; H18/H19 needs generous bend radii.

What surface finishes work on 1230?

Takes bright clear anodising, chemical brightening and conversion coatings well; also readily painted or laminated as foil stock.

1230 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)
Si+Fecombined silicon plus iron limit≤ 0.7
Cu≤ 0.1
Mn≤ 0.05
Mg≤ 0.05
Zn≤ 0.1
Ti≤ 0.03
Others (each)others total 0.10 max≤ 0.03
Alminimum 99.30 % aluminium≥ 99.3 (balance)

1230-H12 — frequently asked

What is 1230-H12 used for?

1230-H12 is typically used for alclad cladding layer on plate and sheet, household foil, packaging foil, heat-exchanger fin stock, container and lid foil and laminated insulation foil. In short: thin-gauge foil; workable.

What is the yield strength of 1230-H12?

1230-H12 has a typical yield strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — weaker than 91% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.

Is 1230-H12 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (28/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades). Very gummy — use sharp high-rake polished carbide tools, high speed, low feed pressure and flood lubricant; expect burrs and built-up edge.

Can 1230-H12 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent with GTAW/GMAW using 1100 or 1188 filler; autogenous welds are sound but weld zone anneals to O-temper strength.

What surface finishes work on 1230-H12?

Takes bright clear anodising, chemical brightening and conversion coatings well; also readily painted or laminated as foil stock.

Can 1230-H12 be formed, bent or molded?

Outstanding cold formability in O/H2x tempers — deep drawing, roll forming and foil rolling to <10 µm; H18/H19 needs generous bend radii.

What is the maximum service temperature of 1230-H12?

1230-H12 is rated for continuous use to about 130°C (266 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Can FabDigit make parts in 1230-H12?

Yes — 1230-H12 is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
  2. EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition — CEN (2019)
  3. ASTM B209 / B479 Aluminum Sheet, Plate and Foil — ASTM (2021)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. 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.