1000 Series Aluminium
Buyers searching for 1000 series aluminium often see many similar grade numbers and tempers, then hit the same practical questions: Which grade is best for a job, what temper should I order, and how do I avoid mismatched thickness or surface issues.
Below are 5 hot, real buyer-style questions commonly asked on Google and Q&A platforms, with straightforward, purchase-ready answers.
1. What is 1000 series aluminium, and when should I choose it over 3000 or 5000?
1000 series aluminium is commercially pure aluminum (typically 99.0 percent Al or higher, depending on grade). It is chosen for high conductivity, strong corrosion resistance, excellent formability, and bright finishing, not for high strength.
Choose 1000 series when your priority is:
Electrical and thermal conductivity: busbars (in some designs), heat transfer parts, HVAC fin stock, transformer and capacitor components.
Deep drawing and forming: cookware, reflectors, lamp holders, signage, nameplates.
Corrosion resistance in neutral environments: packaging and general fabrication.
Choose 3000 or 5000 series when you need:
Higher strength with good formability: 3000 series (Al-Mn) often for roofing, cladding, general panels.
Higher strength plus marine resistance: 5000 series (Al-Mg) for marine, transport, pressure applications.
A quick rule: if the design depends on strength, 1000 series is usually not the best starting point. If the design depends on conductivity, forming, or surface finish, 1000 series is often the most economical and stable choice.
2. 1050 vs 1060 vs 1070 vs 1100: Which 1000 series grade should I buy?
These grades look close, but buyers feel the difference in conductivity, surface consistency, and finishing behavior. In practice, availability and the required certificate (and not only chemistry) also matter.
Practical differences buyers care about
1050: widely stocked, cost-effective, very good forming. Often used for general sheet metal work, lighting, and simple drawn parts.
1060: slightly higher purity than 1050, commonly selected when conductivity and surface cleanliness matter more, such as heat transfer parts and some electrical uses.
1070: higher purity again, used when conductivity is a primary requirement and you want tighter control of impurities.
1100: very popular in global markets for general fabrication, chemical equipment, and decorative work. It is known for good corrosion resistance and workability.
Buyer-oriented selection table
| Grade | Typical buyer reason to choose | Common forms | Notes for purchasing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1050 | Best balance of cost and formability | sheet, coil, strip | Good for bending, stamping, anodizing (confirm finish requirements). |
| 1060 | Better conductivity and cleaner chemistry | sheet, coil, foil | Often chosen for heat transfer and electrical-related parts. |
| 1070 | Conductivity-focused projects | sheet, coil | Confirm test requirements and conductivity target if critical. |
| 1100 | General purpose with stable supply in many regions | sheet, plate, coil | Great for forming and corrosion resistance, widely recognized on drawings. |
If you are buying for deep drawing, ask your supplier not only for the grade, but also for a proven temper and rolling quality control. Grade alone will not prevent earing or surface lines.
3. What temper should I order for 1000 series aluminium sheet or coil: O, H14, H18, or H24?
Temper is where many purchase orders go wrong. For 1000 series aluminium, the most common tempers in trade are:
O temper (annealed): soft, best for deep drawing, tight bending radii, and complex forming. Usually the safest choice when forming is difficult.
H14: strain hardened to a half-hard level. Good for panels that need better rigidity than O, while still allowing bending.
H18: full hard. Higher rigidity, used when you want stiffness and flatness for simple shapes, but it is less forgiving in bending.
H24: strain hardened and partially annealed. A common compromise between formability and strength.
How to choose quickly:
If you will deep draw, spin, or heavily form, start from O.
If you will bend lightly and want stiffness, consider H14 or H24.
If you mainly need stiff flat stock and minimal forming, H18 can work.
If your application is sensitive, request a trial coil or a small sheet lot and validate: bend radius, cracking risk, and surface after forming.
4. What thickness, tolerance, and surface finish should I specify for 1000 series aluminium sheet, foil, or strip?
Many new buyers only specify alloy and temper, then get surprised by thickness deviation, coil set, or cosmetic defects. A stronger purchase specification usually includes:
Form and dimensions
Sheet: thickness, width, length, and squareness.
Coil or strip: thickness, width, inner diameter, outer diameter, and max coil weight.
Foil: thickness, width, and winding direction.
Tolerance standard
Confirm the applicable standard (ASTM, EN, JIS, or customer spec).
Specify tighter tolerances only when needed, because tight tolerance increases cost and lead time.
Surface and appearance
Mill finish, bright finish, brushed, or coated.
One side or both sides protective film, especially for decorative sheet.
Maximum allowed defects: scratches, oil stains, roll marks, edge burrs.
Flatness and coil quality
Flatness for sheet.
Edge condition and camber for strip.
Coil set control for feeding into stamping lines.
For buyers comparing products, it can help to review thickness options upfront. See the product guide on Different Thickness Aluminum Sheet -- Haomei to align thickness range with common manufacturing limits.
5. Why does 1000 series aluminium pricing vary so much between suppliers?
When buyers see large price gaps for “the same” 1050 or 1100 sheet, the difference is often not the alloy, but the deliverable quality and trading terms. Common drivers include:
Input metal and conversion cost: LME aluminum price, regional premium, rolling capacity, energy costs.
Temper and process control: O temper with strict forming performance may require tighter annealing control and inspection.
Tolerance and flatness guarantees: tighter tolerances cost more.
Surface quality and packaging: protective film, interleaving paper, export-grade crating, moisture protection.
Certification and testing: chemical analysis, mechanical tests, conductivity tests, and traceability.
Order size and lead time: small lots and urgent delivery generally raise unit price.
A practical checklist before you compare quotes
| Item to confirm | What to write on your RFQ | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Alloy and temper | 1050 O, 1060 H24, etc. | Prevents substitution and wrong forming behavior. |
| Thickness tolerance | Standard or tightened value | Avoids mismatch in assembly or feeding equipment. |
| Surface requirement | film, one side film, no oil, cosmetic grade | Cosmetic sheet pricing can be very different. |
| Coil details | ID, OD, weight, edge condition | Impacts production compatibility and logistics. |
| Standard and certs | ASTM, EN, mill test certificate | Enables consistent acceptance and reordering. |
If you are sourcing general-purpose sheet or plate and want a stable baseline for comparison, reviewing a product category such as Aluminum Sheet Plate helps you align dimensions, tempers, and inspection expectations before negotiating.
Original source: https://www.hm-alu.com/a/1000-series-aluminium.html
Tags:1000 series aluminium 1050 aluminum 1060 aluminum 1070 aluminum 1100 aluminum
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