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Key Differences Between 1050 and 1060 Aluminum What You Need to Know

Dec. 27, 2024

1050 aluminum is typically used in applications where mechanical strength is not a priority, while 1060 aluminum is used in applications that require higher strength and fatigue resistance.

Both 1050 and 1060 aluminum belong to the 1xxx series of aluminum alloys, mainly made from pure aluminum (with at least 99% aluminum content). While they share many similarities, there are key differences between them, particularly in mechanical properties, conductivity, and suitability for various applications.

1050 aluminum is ideal for applications that require excellent formability, high corrosion resistance, and good conductivity, but with lower mechanical strength. On the other hand, 1060 aluminum is better suited for applications that need slightly higher strength, better fatigue resistance, and slightly higher conductivity. Both alloys are widely used and applicable, but the choice between them depends on the specific performance requirements of the application. 1060 is the stronger choice, offering higher strength and durability.

Comparison Table of 1050 and 1060 Aluminum Alloys

Property 1050 Aluminum Alloy 1060 Aluminum Alloy Key Differences
Chemical Composition High-purity aluminum with small amounts of iron and silicon Slightly higher purity aluminum, with slightly higher aluminum content, containing small amounts of iron and silicon 1060 aluminum has slightly higher aluminum content and purity.
Mechanical Properties Lower tensile and yield strength, softer Slightly higher tensile and yield strength, harder 1060 aluminum has better strength and fatigue resistance than 1050 aluminum, making it more suitable for applications requiring higher strength and durability.
Electrical and Thermal Conductivity Excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, efficient heat and current conduction Slightly better electrical and thermal conductivity than 1050 aluminum 1060 aluminum slightly outperforms 1050 aluminum in terms of electrical and thermal conductivity.
Corrosion Resistance Excellent corrosion resistance, suitable for moderate corrosive environments Better corrosion resistance, suitable for more demanding environments 1060 aluminum has slightly better corrosion resistance, making it more suitable for harsh conditions such as marine or industrial environments.
Formability Excellent formability, easy to process and deep-draw Slightly worse than 1050, but still has good formability 1050 aluminum is easier to form and is better suited for applications requiring complex forming or deep drawing.

Differences in Applications of 1050 and 1060 Aluminum

1050 aluminum is typically used in applications where mechanical strength is not a priority, while 1060 aluminum is used in applications that require higher strength and fatigue resistance.

1050 Aluminum Applications

  • Used in low-stress applications where high strength is not required, but good formability and corrosion resistance are key.
  • Commonly used in heat exchangers, radiators, electrical conductors, chemical equipment, cookware, and decorative items.

1060 Aluminum Applications

  • Due to its higher strength and better fatigue resistance, 1060 is used in medium-stress applications such as cables, electrical conductors, heat exchangers, and chemical tanks.
  • Due to its excellent electrical conductivity, it is commonly used in electrical and solar panel applications.

Corrosion Resistance of 1050 and 1060 Aluminum

1050 Aluminum: Excellent corrosion resistance, especially in moderate corrosive environments.

1060 Aluminum: Due to its higher purity, its corrosion resistance is even better than 1050, making it more suitable for harsh environments such as marine or industrial conditions.

Main Difference: 1060 aluminum has slightly better corrosion resistance than 1050.

Formability of 1050 and 1060 Aluminum

1050 Aluminum: Due to its softness and high purity, it is very easy to form, making it ideal for applications that require extensive forming, deep drawing, or complex manufacturing processes.

1060 Aluminum: While still highly formable, it is slightly more difficult to form than 1050 due to its higher strength.

Main Difference: 1050 aluminum is generally easier to form and more suitable for complex forming, while 1060 is better suited for applications that require higher strength but have medium formability.

1060 aluminum offers slight improvements over 1050 in strength, conductivity, corrosion resistance, and mechanical properties, making it a more durable choice for demanding applications. However, for applications where formability and softness are a priority, 1050 aluminum remains the preferred choice.

Weldability of 1050 and 1060 Aluminum

Both 1050 and 1060 aluminum have excellent weldability, but 1050 aluminum, due to its higher softness and lower strength, is slightly easier to weld.

1050 Aluminum vs. 1060 Aluminum Alloy Composition

1050 Aluminum: Has a very high aluminum content with only small amounts of iron and silicon, making it one of the purest aluminum alloys.

1060 Aluminum: Slightly higher purity than 1050, with slightly higher aluminum content and trace amounts of iron and silicon. The purity is slightly improved, and its performance is slightly better than 1050.

Main Difference: 1060 aluminum has slightly higher aluminum content and purity than 1050.

Element 1050 Aluminum 1060 Aluminum
Aluminum (Al), % 99.5 to 100 99.6 to 100
Copper (Cu), % 0 to 0.050 0 to 0.050
Iron (Fe), % 0 to 0.4 0 to 0.35
Magnesium (Mg), % 0 to 0.050 0 to 0.030
Manganese (Mn), % 0 to 0.050 0 to 0.030
Silicon (Si), % 0 to 0.25 0 to 0.25
Titanium (Ti), % 0 to 0.030 0 to 0.030
Vanadium (V), % 0 to 0.050 0 to 0.050
Zinc (Zn), % 0 to 0.050 0 to 0.050

1050 Aluminum vs. 1060 Aluminum Mechanical Properties

1050 Aluminum: Compared to 1060, it is generally softer with lower tensile strength and yield strength. This makes it less suitable for high-stress applications.

1060 Aluminum: Has slightly better mechanical strength, with a higher yield strength than 1050, making it more durable and suitable for components that endure repetitive stress or require higher strength.

Main Difference: 1060 aluminum offers better strength and fatigue resistance than 1050, making it more suitable for applications that require higher durability.

Property 1050 Aluminum 1060 Aluminum
Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus, x 10^6 psi 9.9 9.9
Elongation at Break, % 4.6 to 37 1.1 to 30
Fatigue Strength, x 10^3 psi 4.5 to 8.3 2.2 to 7.3
Poisson's Ratio 0.33 0.33
Shear Modulus, x 10^6 psi 3.7 3.7
Shear Strength, x 10^3 psi 7.5 to 12 6.1 to 11
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), x 10^3 psi 11 to 20 9.7 to 18
Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof), x 10^3 psi 3.7 to 18 2.4 to 16

1050 Aluminum vs. 1060 Aluminum Thermal Properties

Property 1050 Aluminum 1060 Aluminum
Latent Heat of Fusion, J/g 400 400
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °F 340 340
Melting Completion (Liquidus), °F 1190 1210
Melting Onset (Solidus), °F 1190 1190
Specific Heat Capacity, BTU/lb-°F 0.22 0.22
Thermal Conductivity, BTU/h-ft-°F 130 140
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K 24 24

1050 Aluminum vs. 1060 Aluminum Electrical Properties

1050 Aluminum: Known for its excellent electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity, as it is one of the highest purity aluminums.

1060 Aluminum: Has slightly higher electrical and thermal conductivity than 1050, primarily due to its slightly higher aluminum content.

Main Difference: 1060 aluminum has slightly better conductivity, making it more efficient in applications that require heat dissipation or electrical components.

Property 1050 Aluminum 1060 Aluminum
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Volume, % IACS 61 62
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Weight (Specific), % IACS 200 210

Otherwise Unclassified Properties

Property 1050 Aluminum 1060 Aluminum
Base Metal Price, % relative 9.5 9.5
Calomel Potential, mV -750 -750
Density, lb/ft³ 170 170
Embodied Carbon, kg CO₂/kg material 8.3 8.3
Embodied Energy, x 10³ BTU/lb 67 67
Embodied Water, gal/lb 140 140

Common Calculations

Property 1050 Aluminum 1060 Aluminum
Resilience: Ultimate (Unit Rupture Work), MJ/m³ 5.4 to 22 0.57 to 37
Resilience: Unit (Modulus of Resilience), kJ/m³ 4.6 to 110 2.1 to 89
Stiffness to Weight: Axial, points 14 14
Stiffness to Weight: Bending, points 50 50
Strength to Weight: Axial, points 7.8 to 14 6.9 to 13
Strength to Weight: Bending, points 15 to 22 14 to 21
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s 94 96
Thermal Shock Resistance, points 3.4 to 6.2 3.0 to 5.6

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