Aluminum EN AW-1200: Composition, Properties, Temper Guide & Applications

Comprehensive Overview

EN AW-1200 is part of the 1xxx series of wrought aluminum alloys, representing commercially pure aluminum with minimum aluminum content typically around 99.0%. The 1xxx family is characterized by very low alloying content and is categorized as non-heat-treatable; mechanical strength is achieved primarily through strain (work) hardening rather than precipitation hardening.

Major alloying and impurity elements in EN AW-1200 include iron and silicon as the principal residuals, with trace levels of copper, manganese, magnesium, zinc, chromium, and titanium. These minor elements influence formability, conductivity, and grain structure but do not create significant strengthening phases as occurs in alloyed systems.

Key traits of EN AW-1200 are excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, very good corrosion resistance in many environments, outstanding ductility and formability in the annealed condition, and excellent weldability. Its mechanical strength is low relative to alloyed aluminum grades, but its softness and high workability make it useful where forming, conductivity, or joining are primary design drivers.

Typical industries using EN AW-1200 include electrical and electronics (bus bars, foils, connectors), chemical process equipment, architectural components, packaging and foil, and some transport components where corrosion resistance and formability outweigh the need for high strength. Engineers choose EN AW-1200 where high conductivity, superior formability, low cost, and straightforward fabrication are priorities over peak mechanical strength.

Temper Variants

Temper	Strength Level	Elongation	Formability	Weldability	Notes
O	Low	High	Excellent	Excellent	Fully annealed, maximum ductility and conductivity
H12	Low–Medium	Medium	Very Good	Excellent	Partial hardening by strain, retains good formability
H14	Medium	Medium	Good	Excellent	Common commercial half-hard temper for moderate strength
H16	Medium–High	Lower	Fair	Excellent	Temper for higher strength with reduced ductility
H18	High	Low	Limited	Excellent	Heavily strain-hardened, limited forming capability
H22	Low–Medium	Medium	Very Good	Excellent	Stabilized by thermal treatment after cold work
H24	Medium	Medium	Good	Excellent	Strain-hardened and partially annealed to stabilize properties
H26	Medium–High	Lower	Fair	Excellent	Higher strength through greater cold work
H111	Low–Medium	Good	Very Good	Excellent	Slightly cold worked with controlled properties

The temper for EN AW-1200 controls strength primarily by the degree of cold work imparted during processing. Annealed (O) material provides the best ductility and highest conductivity, while H‑series tempers trade ductility and formability for increased tensile and yield strength through strain hardening.

Weldability remains excellent across tempers because the alloy is essentially pure aluminum, but cold work reversibility and local softening around weld heat-affected zones must be considered when selecting a temper for formed or load-bearing components.

Chemical Composition

Element	% Range	Notes
Al	Balance (~99.0)	Principal element; remainder after impurities.
Si	≤ 0.30 (typical trace levels 0.03–0.15)	Residual from production; can slightly improve fluidity.
Fe	≤ 0.60 (typical 0.20–0.50)	Major residual element; affects grain structure and strength modestly.
Mn	≤ 0.05	Very low; negligible strengthening effect at these levels.
Mg	≤ 0.03	Minimal, does not produce age-hardening in this alloy.
Cu	≤ 0.05	Low levels; can slightly reduce corrosion resistance if present.
Zn	≤ 0.05	Trace only; negligible strengthening effect.
Cr	≤ 0.05	Trace, can influence grain stability in processing.
Ti	≤ 0.03	Often used as grain refiner; present in trace amounts.
Others	≤ 0.15 total	Includes other residuals such as Ni, V, Sn, etc.

EN AW-1200’s performance is dominated by the very high aluminum content; the listed impurity elements are controlled to low maximums so that electrical and thermal conductivity remain high and ductility is preserved. Trace additions or residuals influence recrystallization, grain size, and surface finish during rolling and forming, but they do not produce the precipitation-strengthening behavior seen in 2xxx–7xxx series alloys.

Mechanical Properties

EN AW-1200 exhibits tensile behavior characteristic of commercially pure aluminum: a relatively low tensile strength with a pronounced elongation to failure in annealed condition and a predictable increase in strength with cold work. Yield strength is low in O condition but increases substantially and in a controllable manner with H‑tempers, allowing designers to tune properties via cold deformation. Elongation is excellent in O temper (often exceeding 20–30% depending on gauge) and drops as strain hardening increases.

Hardness in EN AW-1200 is low compared with alloyed series; typical Brinell hardness values are in the low 20s HB in annealed material and rise modestly with H‑tempers. Fatigue performance is acceptable for many cyclic applications but inferior to strain-hardened or alloyed aluminum grades; fatigue strength improves with cold work but is limited by the lack of precipitation hardening. Thickness and gauge influence mechanical readings: thinner gauges often display higher apparent strength due to processing-induced cold work and surface-hardened layers.

Property	O/Annealed	Key Temper (e.g., H14)	Notes
Tensile Strength	~60–110 MPa	~110–160 MPa	Values vary with thickness and exact temper; H‑tempers roughly double strength vs O.
Yield Strength	~25–60 MPa	~70–120 MPa	Yield increases with cold work; O condition yields are very low.
Elongation	~25–40%	~8–20%	High ductility in O; progressively reduced by strain hardening.
Hardness	~15–30 HB	~30–45 HB	Low hardness overall; increases with degree of cold work.

Physical Properties

Property	Value	Notes
Density	2.71 g/cm³	Standard for aluminum; useful for mass and stiffness calculations.
Melting Range	~650–660 °C	Single-phase melting close to pure aluminum point.
Thermal Conductivity	~220–240 W/m·K (at 20 °C)	Very high, near pure Al; excellent for heat-sinking applications.
Electrical Conductivity	~55–63 % IACS	High electrical conductivity makes it suitable for conductors and bus work.
Specific Heat	~0.90 kJ/kg·K (0.214 kcal/kg·°C)	Good heat capacity useful in thermal design.
Thermal Expansion	~23–24 µm/m·K (20–100 °C)	Typical aluminum expansion; must be accounted for in assemblies.

EN AW-1200’s physical properties reflect its near-pure composition and make it attractive for thermal management and electrical applications. Designers exploiting conductivity or lightweight structures benefit from the alloy’s combination of low density, high thermal/electrical conductivity, and manageable thermal expansion.

Because melting range and oxidation behavior are those of near-pure aluminum, processing (e.g., brazing, soldering, or welding) follows the established practice for high-purity Al; correct fluxes and surface preparation are critical for optimized joints.

Product Forms

Form	Typical Thickness/Size	Strength Behavior	Common Tempers	Notes
Sheet	0.15 mm – 6 mm	Strength varies with temper and cold reduction	O, H12, H14, H24	Widely used for cladding, foil, and architectural panels
Plate	>6 mm – 30+ mm	Lower strengthening from cold work in thick plate	O, H22	Thicker sections retain lower strength unless heavily rolled
Extrusion	Profiles up to large cross-sections	Strength depends on subsequent cold work	O, H111, H14	Extrusions used for frames, busbars, and architectural members
Tube	Thin- and thick-wall tubes	Typical mechanicals similar to sheet of comparable temper	O, H16, H18	Formed by rolling and welding or seamless production
Bar/Rod	Various diameters	Strength affected by drawing/cold working	O, H12, H14	Used for conductive rods, fasteners, and machined components

Sheets and thin gauge products are the most common form for EN AW-1200 due to its high formability and conductivity. Plate and structural sections are used where corrosion resistance or welding ease is required and strength demands are modest. Extrusions and drawn bars can be provided in tempers that preserve formability or that impart useful work-hardened strength for assembled components.

Processing differences (rolling reductions, anneals, controlled cooling) strongly influence surface finish, grain structure, and directional properties. Specifying temper, thickness, and intended forming operations upfront ensures the mill provides product that meets forming and joining needs with minimal downstream rework.

Equivalent Grades

Standard	Grade	Region	Notes
AA	1200	International / USA	Commercially pure wrought Al 1200; aligns with EN AW-1200.
EN AW	1200	Europe	Standard EN designation for the same wrought alloy.
JIS	A1200 / A1050 equivalents	Japan	JIS has similar pure Al grades; exact designation and composition should be confirmed.
GB/T	1A00 (e.g., 1200 series)	China	Chinese standards classify similar commercially pure aluminum; check specific spec.

Equivalent designations track the same fundamental material class—commercially pure aluminum with similar impurity limits—but regional standards can vary in exact maximum impurity levels, certification requirements, and available tempers. Engineers must verify the cited standard sheet/plate number and the supplier’s chemical and mechanical test certificates when substituting grades across regions.

Corrosion Resistance

EN AW-1200 provides excellent atmospheric corrosion resistance due to the formation of a stable, protective aluminum oxide film. In most rural and urban atmospheres the alloy performs very well, resisting uniform corrosion and many common pollutants.

In marine and chloride-rich environments, 1xxx alloys show good resistance to general corrosion but are susceptible to pitting in stagnant, highly concentrated chloride conditions. The lack of copper and other active alloying elements helps reduce susceptibility to localized corrosion relative to some 2xxx or 7xxx series alloys.

Stress corrosion cracking is uncommon in commercially pure aluminum grades like EN AW-1200 because there are no precipitate phases that promote SCC; however, designers should avoid tensile residual stresses and galvanic coupling to more noble metals without proper insulation. Galvanic interactions with stainless steel, copper, or titanium will place EN AW-1200 on the anodic side and accelerate corrosion if not electrically isolated.

Compared to alloy families: 1xxx alloys offer superior pure-metal corrosion resistance and conductivity, 3xxx/5xxx series provide similar or better strength with good corrosion resistance, and 6xxx/7xxx alloys offer higher strength but often at the cost of increased susceptibility to certain localized corrosion modes.

Fabrication Properties

Weldability

EN AW-1200 welds readily with common fusion processes such as TIG and MIG/MAG, and it also supports brazing and resistance welding. Because it is essentially pure aluminum, hot-cracking is minimal, but welds can show softening in surrounding HAZ regions and may require post-weld mechanical or thermal treatments for dimensional stability. Filler alloys with higher alloy content (e.g., 4043, 5356) are commonly used to improve joint mechanical performance while retaining acceptable conductivity and corrosion behavior.

Machinability

Machinability of EN AW-1200 is moderate to good but lower than some free‑cutting aluminum alloys because it is relatively ductile and gummy in the annealed condition. Cutting tools with positive rake geometry, sharp carbide grades, and suitable chip breakers are recommended to control long, stringy chips. Higher cutting speeds with light depths of cut and good coolant/air blast management improve surface finish and tool life.

Formability

Formability is a primary strength of EN AW-1200; in the O condition it supports tight radii, deep drawing, spinning, and complex bending with low springback. Minimum bend radii depend on temper and thickness but are commonly as low as 1–2× thickness for O temper; H‑tempers require larger radii and more careful springback compensation. Successive forming passes and intermediate anneals are standard practice when forming to severe geometries.

Heat Treatment Behavior

EN AW-1200 is non-heat-treatable; it does not respond to solution treatment and precipitation aging in the way 2xxx–7xxx alloys do. Strength improvements are achieved through mechanical work (cold rolling, drawing, or bending) and subsequent natural stabilization processes.

Annealing (full softening to O) is performed by heating to temperatures typically in the range of 300–400 °C for controlled times followed by slow cooling or furnace cool, which restores ductility and conductivity by recrystallization. Temper transitions in the H‑series are achieved by defined combinations of cold reduction and optional low-temperature heat stabilization to set mechanical properties and control residual stresses.

High-Temperature Performance

EN AW-1200 experiences progressive strength loss at elevated temperatures because solid-solution strengthening is minimal and there is no age-hardening mechanism. For continuous structural service, designers generally limit operating temperatures to below roughly 100–150 °C to avoid measurable reductions in yield and stiffness. Short-term exposures to higher temperatures are tolerated but will lead to softening and potential grain growth.

Oxidation of aluminum at service temperatures produces a thin, protective alumina film that reduces further oxidation, but high-temperature scaling is not a concern at the modest operating temperatures typical for this alloy. In welded parts, HAZ regions can show local softening, and prolonged elevated temperatures may also accelerate creep in thin sections under sustained loads.

Applications

Industry	Example Component	Why EN AW-1200 Is Used
Automotive	Linings, heat shields, decorative trims	Excellent formability and corrosion resistance for non-structural parts
Marine	Ducting, cladding, non-structural fittings	Corrosion resistance and ease of fabrication in salt-laden atmospheres
Aerospace	Non-critical fittings, fairings	Good strength-to-weight for lightly loaded components and excellent formability
Electronics	Busbars, heat sinks, EMI shields	High electrical and thermal conductivity enable efficient thermal/electrical designs
Packaging & Food	Foil, cans, containers	Purity, corrosion resistance, and inertness for food contact and barrier applications

EN AW-1200 is selected where electrical or thermal performance, corrosion resistance, and ease of forming are prioritized over high structural strength. Its combination of properties supports a broad range of non-structural and semi-structural components across multiple sectors.

Selection Insights

EN AW-1200 is the go-to choice when high conductivity, maximum formability, low density, and superior corrosion resistance are the primary requirements and where high tensile strength is not critical. Specify O temper when deep drawing or complex forming is required; choose an H‑temper when modest increases in strength and dimensional stability are needed.

Compared with commercially pure aluminum like 1100, EN AW-1200 offers similar conductivity and formability but may have slightly different impurity limits; designers trade minimal differences in conductivity for specific supplier availability. Compared with common work‑hardened alloys such as 3003 or 5052, EN AW-1200 has lower strength but often better electrical conductivity and comparable corrosion resistance, so it is preferred when conductivity is essential. Compared to heat‑treatable alloys such as 6061 or 6063, EN AW-1200 provides superior ductility and conductivity but much lower peak strength; select it where forming, joining ease, or conductivity outweigh the need for high mechanical performance.

Closing Summary

EN AW-1200 remains relevant because it combines the classic strengths of commercially pure aluminum—high electrical and thermal conductivity, excellent formability, and robust corrosion resistance—with straightforward fabrication and broad availability. For applications prioritizing conductivity, forming, or corrosion resistance over high strength, EN AW-1200 delivers predictable behavior and economical production options.