Guide to AA 1060 / AA 1100 Pure Aluminum

There are many options in industrial aluminum materials, and AA 1060 and AA 1100 are two of the most common grades of commercially pure aluminum. Both belong to the 1XXX series.

This article provides a structured comparison of the material characteristics of AA 1060 and AA 1100, along with practical selection guidance to help you make the right choice for your project.

AA 1060 / AA 1100 Pure Aluminum: Fundamentals

Both AA 1060 and AA 1100 belong to the internationally recognized 1XXX series of aluminum alloys and are classified as commercially pure aluminum under the Aluminum Association (AA) designation system. The defining feature of the 1XXX series is its very high aluminum content, typically above 99%, with only minimal alloying additions.

AA 1060 contains at least 99.6% aluminum, making it one of the higher-purity grades in the 1XXX series. It contains almost no intentionally added alloying elements, only trace amounts of impurities such as iron, silicon, and copper, with total impurities strictly controlled to within 0.4%. This exceptionally high purity gives it excellent electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, which is why it is widely used in electrical transmission applications.

AA 1100 contains at least 99.0% aluminum. It is also a pure aluminum grade, but compared with AA 1060, it contains a slightly higher copper content, typically around 0.05%–0.20%. This allows it to retain the typical characteristics of high-purity aluminum while also offering better work-hardening behavior.

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What Are the Key Differences Between AA 1060 and AA 1100?

Aluminum Purity and Impurity Control

The difference in aluminum content between 1060 and 1100 is about 0.6%. At first glance, that may not seem significant, but it does have a noticeable effect on material performance. AA 1060 has tighter control over impurity elements such as silicon and iron, with iron in particular typically limited to 0.35% or less. This cleaner composition helps 1060 deliver stronger performance in electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and surface finish quality.

Electrical and Thermal Conductivity

Because of its higher aluminum content, AA 1060 performs better in both electrical and thermal conductivity. Its electrical conductivity can reach 61% IACS, typically about 3 to 5 percentage points higher than AA 1100. Its thermal conductivity is also higher. In electrical applications, this difference can translate into a meaningful improvement in energy efficiency.

Mechanical Properties and Work Hardening

Although AA 1100 has a lower aluminum content, its higher copper content increases its work-hardening rate. This means that under the same level of cold deformation, AA 1100 can achieve higher strength than AA 1060.

Forming Performance

In forming applications, AA 1100 generally shows better ductility. In the O temper (annealed condition), its elongation can reach 38%, which is higher than that of 1060. This makes 1100 better suited to complex forming processes such as deep drawing and spinning.

Anodizing Appearance

Both 1060 and 1100 can be anodized, but the visual result is not the same. Because 1100 contains a certain amount of copper, its anodized surface may show a slight gray-green tint, while 1060 tends to retain the more typical silver-gray appearance of pure aluminum. Depending on the application, this may also be a useful factor in material selection.

Summary of the Core Differences Between AA 1060 and AA 1100

Comparison Factor AA 1060 AA 1100 Advantage
Aluminum purity 99.6%+ 99.0%+ 1060
Electrical conductivity 60–62% IACS 58–59% IACS 1060
Thermal conductivity 230–237 W/(m·K) 218–222 W/(m·K) 1060
Corrosion resistance Excellent Excellent Equal
Strength (H temper) Slightly lower Slightly higher 1100
Formability Good Excellent 1100
Deep drawing / complex forming Good Better 1100
Weldability Excellent Excellent Equal
Material cost Similar Similar —
Anodized appearance Silver-gray Gray-green Depends on application

Basic Data and Grade Identification for AA 1060 and AA 1100

Before comparing these two materials, it is important to understand their standards and basic properties so that misunderstandings do not arise during project communication.

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Item AA 1060 AA 1100 Notes
Series 1xxx commercially pure aluminum 1xxx commercially pure aluminum Both belong to the pure aluminum family
Minimum aluminum content 99.60% 99.00% 1060 is the higher-purity grade
Key compositional feature Tighter impurity control Contains a small amount of Cu 1100 is a distinct grade, not a “lower-spec” version of 1060
Common designations AA1060 / Al99.6 / A91060 AA1100 / Al99.0Cu / A91100 Designations may vary by document, so always verify the standard and composition first
Heat-treatable strengthening No No Properties are mainly adjusted through cold-work temper
Common supply forms Commonly supplied as sheet, coil, and strip Commonly supplied as sheet, coil, and strip Exact forms still depend on the applicable product standard

Chemical Composition Comparison: AA 1060 vs. AA 1100

Element AA 1060 (wt%) AA 1100 (wt%)
Aluminum (Al) ≥99.60% ≥99.00%
Silicon (Si) ≤0.25% ≤0.95% (Si+Fe)
Iron (Fe) ≤0.35% ≤0.95% (Si+Fe)
Copper (Cu) ≤0.05% 0.05%–0.20%
Manganese (Mn) ≤0.03% ≤0.05%
Magnesium (Mg) ≤0.03% ≤0.05%
Zinc (Zn) ≤0.05% ≤0.10%
Titanium (Ti) ≤0.03% ≤0.03%
Other impurities ≤0.15% ≤0.15%

Physical and Mechanical Property Comparison: AA 1060 vs. AA 1100

Property AA 1060 AA 1100
Density 2.70 g/cm³ 2.71 g/cm³
Melting point 647–658°C 640–655°C
Electrical conductivity 60–62% IACS 58–59% IACS
Thermal conductivity 230–237 W/(m·K) 218–222 W/(m·K)
Tensile strength (O temper) 60–95 MPa 70–95 MPa
Yield strength (O temper) 15–35 MPa 25–35 MPa
Elongation (O temper) 25–40% 30–38%
Brinell hardness (O temper) 20–30 HB 22 HB

Data source: Based on ASTM B209, EN 573, and multiple supplier technical datasheets. These are typical reference values only. Actual properties may vary depending on production process and supply condition.

Temper, Product Forms, and How to Interpret Performance

Commercially pure aluminum is not heat-treatable for strengthening. Its properties are mainly adjusted through cold work hardening and annealing. Temper designations are the professional terms used to describe the material’s current level of work hardening.

  • O temper (annealed): Fully annealed, with the softest condition and the best ductility. Suitable for complex forming operations.
  • H12 temper (quarter-hard): Lightly cold worked. Strength is about 25% higher than in the O temper, while still maintaining good formability.
  • H14 temper (half-hard): More heavily cold worked, with strength about 1.5 times that of the O temper. Suitable for parts requiring moderate strength.
  • H18 temper (full-hard): Maximum cold-worked condition, offering the highest strength but much lower ductility. Not suitable for complex forming.
  • H22 / H24 / H26 tempers: Lightly annealed after cold working, providing a balance between strength and ductility.
  • H112 temper: Supplied directly after hot rolling or hot extrusion. Strength and formability fall between O temper and H12 temper.

  • For deep drawing or complex bending, choose O temper or H12 temper to prioritize ductility.
  • If the product needs a certain level of rigidity, H14 temper can provide a good balance between strength and workability.
  • If only simple forming or cutting is required, H18 temper can provide higher strength, but care is needed to avoid cracking during bending.
  • For direct use of hot-rolled plate, H112 temper may be a practical ready-to-use option that avoids additional softening treatment.

Typical Mechanical Properties by Temper

Temper Tensile Strength (MPa) Yield Strength (MPa) Elongation (%) Typical Applications
O 60–95 15–35 25–40 Deep drawing, spinning, complex bending
H12 75–110 50–70 10–15 General forming, light load-bearing applications
H14 85–120 65–95 8–12 Medium-strength parts, simple forming
H18 125–150 100–130 4–8 High-strength sheet, simple shapes

Note: If you are not sure which temper to choose, it is best to consult your supplier. They can usually recommend the most suitable specification based on your application.

Common Product Forms

  • Sheet / thin sheet: Thickness ranges from 0.1 mm to several millimeters, with standard sizes such as 1220 × 2440 mm and 1500 × 3000 mm.
  • Coil / strip: Continuous coil form, suitable for high-volume stamping operations.
  • Circles / discs: Commonly used for lighting reflectors, cookware, and similar products.
  • Tube / bar: Available in a variety of forms, including round tube, square tube, and round bar.
  • Tread plate: Surface embossed with anti-slip patterns, commonly used for steps, platforms, and flooring.

Processing Suitability of AA 1060 / AA 1100

From our perspective at SR MFG, 1060 and 1100 are widely used in sheet metal fabrication not because they are universal materials, but because they already offer a strong foundation for processing.

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Stamping and deep drawing

In the O temper, both 1060 and 1100 can achieve good deep-drawing performance. Because 1100 offers higher ductility, it tends to perform more consistently in parts with greater draw depth or more complex shapes. 1060 is better suited to medium-depth stamped parts and applications where material purity is a more important consideration.

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Bending and flanging

Annealed aluminum has excellent bending performance, and the minimum bend radius can be as low as 0.5 to 1 times the material thickness. As hardness increases, such as in H14 or H18 tempers, the bend radius should be increased accordingly to avoid surface cracking.

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Spinning

This is one of the strengths of pure aluminum. Whether the part is a lampshade, a container, or a specially shaped component, both materials can perform well. However, 1100 generally offers a higher success rate when spinning more complex shapes.

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Anodizing

Both materials are well suited to anodizing and can develop an attractive, corrosion-resistant oxide film. After anodizing, 1060 typically shows a silver-gray appearance, while 1100 may develop a slight gray-green tint. For decorative parts that require dyeing, it is advisable to work with a specialized anodizing service provider to achieve more uniform color results.

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Powder coating and painting

Pure aluminum performs well with both powder coating and liquid coating systems. Before coating, appropriate surface pretreatment—such as chemical conversion treatment—is usually recommended to improve coating adhesion.

How to Choose Between AA 1060 and AA 1100 in Common Applications

If your project places greater emphasis on functional requirements such as high purity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, or reflectivity, then AA 1060 is often one of the better choices.

If you need broader general-purpose usability and more mature commercial availability, then AA 1100 is well worth considering.

The table below is designed to help with practical material selection:

Application Area Recommended Grade Recommended Temper Reason for Selection
Electrical busbars / conductors 1060 O / H12 Highest electrical conductivity and lower resistive loss
Heat sinks / heat exchangers 1060 O / H12 Excellent thermal conductivity
Capacitors / electronic components 1060 O Higher material purity
Curtain walls / decorative panels 1100 H14 / H24 Good formability with moderate strength
Signage / nameplates 1100 H14 / H18 Easy to process and strong enough for the application
Lighting reflectors 1100 O / H12 Good spinning performance
Deep-drawn parts / cookware 1100 O Best ductility
Aluminum foil / packaging materials 1060 O High purity and easier compliance with safety requirements
Chemical containers / piping 1060 / 1100 H112 / O Good corrosion resistance

What Should Be Confirmed When Purchasing AA 1060 / AA 1100?

Once you have selected AA 1060 or AA 1100 for your project and are ready to purchase, the following details should be clearly defined.

Procurement Specification Checklist

Item to Confirm Example Importance
Alloy grade AA 1060 ★★★
Temper O / H14 ★★★
Thickness 2.0 mm ★★★
Width 1000 mm ★★★
Length 2000 mm (except for coil) ★★★
Tolerance requirement ±0.05 mm ★★
Product form Sheet / coil / circle ★★★
Surface condition Mill finish / bright finish ★★
Applicable standard ASTM B209 ★★
Certification requirement MTR / SGS report ★
Packaging method Wooden pallet / simple packaging ★
Quantity 500 kg ★★★
Lead time Within 15 days ★★★

AA 1060 / AA 1100 Material Selection Advice: When to Choose Pure Aluminum, and When Not To

By this point, you likely already have a general understanding of 1060 and 1100. Even after reading all the earlier sections, it is completely normal to still feel unsure about when pure aluminum is the right choice and when another aluminum alloy would be more suitable. To make that easier, we have provided a simplified selection guide below for reference. If you still have questions, the engineers at SR MFG can help you evaluate your project in more detail.

Simplified Material Selection Logic

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FAQs​

In many cases, yes, but there will still be differences in performance and cost. 1060 offers better electrical and thermal conductivity, while 1100 has stronger work-hardening behavior. If the project has strict electrical performance requirements, 1060 is usually the better choice. If better formability is needed, 1100 may be more suitable. Process validation is recommended before making a substitution.

No. Pure aluminum in the 1xxx series is not heat-treatable for strengthening. Its strength can only be increased through cold work hardening. If you need higher strength through heat treatment, you should consider a 6xxx series alloy such as 6061, or a 7xxx series alloy such as 7075.

Both materials form a protective oxide film after anodizing. 1060 typically develops a silver-gray appearance with a cleaner surface tone, while 1100 may show a slight gray-green tint because of its trace copper content. If dyeing is required, 1060 usually provides better color uniformity.

Yes. Pure aluminum generally performs well outdoors. Its surface naturally forms a dense aluminum oxide film, which provides good resistance to atmospheric corrosion. In typical urban or industrial atmospheres, both materials can usually be used for long periods without additional corrosion protection.

They cannot be reliably distinguished by appearance alone. The only dependable method is to ask the supplier for a material certificate such as an MTR or Mill Test Report, which will clearly show the chemical composition and mechanical properties. The certificate will list the actual content of each element. For example, if the copper content is above 0.05%, the material is likely 1100.

Choose SR MFG as your manufacturing partner

From prototypes to full-scale production, SR MFG makes complex sheet metal projects simple.
With rigorous process control and reliable delivery, we help you reduce rework risk and hidden costs—because quality isn’t a promise, it’s how we build.

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304 stainless steel material display
304 stainless steel material display
304 stainless steel material display
304 stainless steel material display