What the 1100 Standard Covers
When a buyer asks what the 1100 aluminum standard is, they are really asking three questions in one: what is its chemical composition, what product standard applies (sheet, pipe, extrusion or foil), and what temper standard is required. Specifying only the alloy number without the product standard and temper is a common and costly mistake, as a full-hard H18 sheet is completely different from a soft O-temper sheet even though both are called 1100.
Chemical Composition of AA 1100 Aluminum
1100 is part of the 1xxx series, which means it is commercially pure aluminum. It contains at least 99.0% aluminum, with copper in the range of 0.05-0.20% and iron plus silicon limited to 1.0% maximum. The high aluminum content gives the alloy its famous corrosion resistance, excellent formability and high electrical and thermal conductivity.
International Product Standards
ASTM B209 covers aluminum and aluminum-alloy sheet and plate and is the primary standard for 1100 sheet. ASTM B241/B241M covers seamless pipe and seamless extruded tube. ASTM B221 covers extruded bars, rods, wire, profiles and tubes. ASTM B479 covers thin foil coil, and ASTM B211 covers bar and rod. In Europe the mandatory system is EN, where the 1100 equivalent is EN AW-1100; EN 573-3 defines the chemical composition, EN 485-2 defines mechanical properties of sheet, strip and plate, and EN 755-2 covers extruded products. In Japan the equivalent grade is A1100 under JIS H4000 for sheet, plate and strip and JIS H4100 for extruded shapes and tubes. ISO 6361 also covers wrought aluminum sheets, strips and plates.
Temper Standards Explained
The temper defines the mechanical condition of the metal and is attached to the alloy number with a hyphen. 1100-O is annealed and fully soft, offering maximum ductility for deep drawing and bending. 1100-H12 is quarter-hard, 1100-H14 is half-hard and widely used in industrial applications, and 1100-H18 is full-hard with the highest strength and very low ductility. 1100-H112 is an as-fabricated hot-worked condition typically used for extrusions, plates and pipes where properties are not strictly controlled. Temper designations are defined by standards such as ASTM B918.
Equivalent Grades Around the World
The same material carries different names in different systems: AA 1100 in the United States, EN AW-1100 in Europe (very similar to EN AW-1050A), A1100 in Japan, Al99.0Cu in ISO, and A91100 in the UNS system. For buyers, 1100 aluminum is equivalent to A1100 in JIS and is nearly identical to EN AW-1100.
How to Write a Purchase Order
To avoid receiving the wrong material, a professional purchase order should always include the product form, the standard, the alloy and temper, and the dimensions. A correct line reads: Aluminum Sheet, ASTM B209, Alloy 1100-H14, 3mm x 1220mm x 2440mm. Using a recognized standard also guarantees quality, prevents disputes, enables traceability through a Mill Test Certificate (MTC) and allows quotes from different countries to be compared on the same basis.
FAQ
Q: What is the ASTM standard for 1100 aluminum sheet?
The primary ASTM standard for 1100 aluminum sheet and plate is ASTM B209, which covers general requirements, dimensions, tolerances and mechanical properties.
Q: Is 1100 aluminum the same as A1100?
Yes. A1100 is the designation for 1100 aluminum under the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). Their chemical composition and properties are identical.
Q: What is the EN equivalent of 1100 aluminum?
The European Norm equivalent is EN AW-1100. It is also very similar to EN AW-1050A, another commercially pure grade with 99.5% aluminum.
Q: What does 1100-H14 mean?
1100 refers to the alloy, 99.0% pure aluminum, and H14 refers to the temper. It means the material has been strain-hardened to a half-hard condition, making it stronger than soft O temper aluminum but still reasonably formable.
Q: Which standard is used for aluminum pipes?
For seamless aluminum pipes, the most common standard is ASTM B241. For welded pipes, ASTM B313 may apply. Always specify whether seamless or welded pipe is needed.
