Overview
Al1100 (AA1100) is a commercially pure aluminum alloy containing a minimum aluminum content of 99.0%. It is one of the most widely used aluminum grades for applications requiring excellent corrosion resistance, superior workability, high thermal conductivity, and outstanding electrical conductivity.
Al1100 offers excellent formability and weldability, making it a preferred material for sheet metal fabrication, chemical processing equipment, heat exchangers, decorative applications, and electrical components. Although its mechanical strength is relatively low, its ease of fabrication and cost-effectiveness make it one of the most versatile aluminum alloys in industrial manufacturing.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Alloy Designation | AA1100 |
| Aluminum Content | ≥99.0% |
| Alloy Series | 1000 Series |
| Material Type | Commercially Pure Aluminum |
| Density | 2.71 g/cm³ |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Plate, Foil, Bar, Tube, Wire |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum (Al) | ≥99.00 |
| Silicon + Iron (Si+Fe) | ≤0.95 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.05–0.20 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤0.05 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | ≤0.05 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤0.10 |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤0.05 |
| Other Elements | ≤0.15 Total |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 90–110 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 35–50 MPa |
| Elongation | 20–40% |
| Hardness | 23–28 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 69 GPa |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.71 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 643–657°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 220–230 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | 59–62% IACS |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 23.6 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 900 J/kg·K |
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric Exposure | Excellent |
| Marine Environment | Very Good |
| Chemical Processing Environment | Excellent |
| Salt Spray Environment | Excellent |
| Humid Environment | Excellent |
Al1100 develops a natural oxide layer that provides excellent protection against oxidation and corrosion, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| AA (USA) | AA1100 |
| EN (Europe) | EN AW-1100 |
| DIN (Germany) | Al99.0Cu |
| JIS (Japan) | A1100 |
| ISO | Al99.0 |
| GB/T (China) | 1100 |
| UNS | A91100 |
Available Tempers
| Temper | Description |
|---|---|
| O | Annealed |
| H12 | Quarter Hard |
| H14 | Half Hard |
| H16 | Three-Quarter Hard |
| H18 | Full Hard |
| H22 | Quarter Hard & Annealed |
| H24 | Half Hard & Annealed |
Typical Applications
Electrical Industry
- Electrical Conductors
- Busbars
- Transformer Components
- Cable Connectors
Chemical Industry
- Chemical Storage Tanks
- Process Equipment
- Heat Exchangers
- Pressure Vessels
Architectural Industry
- Decorative Panels
- Roofing Systems
- Curtain Wall Components
- Interior Decoration
Food & Beverage Industry
- Food Processing Equipment
- Kitchenware
- Packaging Materials
- Storage Containers
General Manufacturing
- Nameplates
- Reflectors
- Sheet Metal Parts
- Appliance Components
Machining Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Fair |
| CNC Turning | Fair |
| Laser Cutting | Excellent |
| Sheet Metal Fabrication | Excellent |
| Deep Drawing | Excellent |
| Stamping | Excellent |
| Bending | Excellent |
| Welding | Excellent |
| Anodizing | Excellent |
Advantages
Excellent Corrosion Resistance
Suitable for outdoor and chemically aggressive environments.
Superior Formability
Excellent for deep drawing, spinning, bending, and stamping operations.
High Thermal Conductivity
Suitable for heat transfer applications.
High Electrical Conductivity
Commonly used in electrical and power distribution applications.
Excellent Weldability
Compatible with most aluminum welding methods.
Cost Effective
One of the most economical aluminum alloys available.
Limitations
Low Structural Strength
Not suitable for heavy-load structural applications.
Limited Wear Resistance
Relatively soft material surface.
Moderate Machinability
Machining performance is lower than 5052, 6061, and 7075 alloys.
Not Recommended for High-Stress Components
Better suited for corrosion resistance and formability applications.
Comparison with Other Aluminum Alloys
| Property | Al1100 | Al1050 | Al1060 | Al5052 | Al6061 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Content | 99.0% | 99.5% | 99.6% | 97% | 95% |
| Strength | Medium-Low | Low | Low | Medium | High |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Formability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Medium |
| Weldability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Machinability | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Excellent |
| Electrical Conductivity | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Medium | Medium |
| Cost | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Medium |
Comparison with Common Engineering Metals
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Corrosion Resistance | Strength | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al1100 | 2.71 | Excellent | Low | Very Light |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 7.93 | Excellent | Medium | Heavy |
| Carbon Steel 1018 | 7.85 | Poor | Medium | Heavy |
| Copper C110 | 8.94 | Excellent | Low | Heavy |
| Brass C360 | 8.47 | Good | Medium | Heavy |
| Titanium Grade 5 | 4.43 | Excellent | Very High | Light |
Recommended Surface Finishes
- Clear Anodizing
- Color Anodizing
- Hard Anodizing
- Powder Coating
- Spray Painting
- Sandblasting
- Brushing
- Mirror Polishing
- Laser Marking
- Silk Screen Printing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Al1100 aluminum?
Al1100 is a commercially pure aluminum alloy containing at least 99.0% aluminum. It is widely used for applications requiring excellent corrosion resistance, formability, and conductivity.
What is the difference between Al1100 and Al1050?
Al1050 contains higher aluminum purity, while Al1100 contains a small amount of copper, resulting in slightly improved strength.
| Property | Al1100 | Al1050 |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Content | 99.0% | 99.5% |
| Strength | Higher | Lower |
| Conductivity | Slightly Lower | Slightly Higher |
| Formability | Excellent | Excellent |
Is Al1100 suitable for sheet metal fabrication?
Yes. Al1100 is one of the most commonly used aluminum alloys for sheet metal fabrication due to its excellent ductility and formability.
Can Al1100 be anodized?
Yes. Al1100 has excellent anodizing characteristics and can achieve attractive decorative finishes.
Is Al1100 weldable?
Yes. Al1100 provides excellent weldability and is suitable for TIG, MIG, and resistance welding processes.
Is Al1100 food-safe?
Yes. Al1100 is commonly used in food processing and food packaging applications due to its non-toxic and corrosion-resistant characteristics.
What industries commonly use Al1100?
- Electrical Equipment
- Chemical Processing
- Food Processing
- Architectural Applications
- Heat Exchange Systems
- General Sheet Metal Manufacturing
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for Al1100?
Yes. GCNOV offers complete Al1100 manufacturing solutions including:
- CNC Machining
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Laser Cutting
- Welding
- Surface Finishing
- Mechanical Assembly
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production