1. Application examples
Due to its low specific weight and good formability, aluminum can be used for a wide range of applications. With the alloy EN-AW 8079, a higher tensile strength is achieved through the addition of iron and silicon. This alloy is therefore used for aluminum foils up to about 0.05 mm thick.

Aluminum is also used for heat exchangers because of its relatively good thermal conductivity (although alloys 3003 or 6063 should be used for brazed heat exchangers).

Due to its high electrical conductivity, aluminum can also be used in the electrical industry.

Further application examples:
Reflectors in lamps, construction (roofs made of aluminum sheets), packaging (e.g. beverage cans).

These aluminum materials are not approved for springs.

2. Material codes

2.1 Alloy EN-AW 1200
German Norm: 3.0205
EN: EN-AW 1200 Al 99,0%
AFNOR: 1200
UNS: A 1200

2.2 Alloy EN-AW 8079
German Norm: without a German Werkstoffnummer
EN: EN-AW 8079
AFNOR: 8079
UNS: A 8079

3. Alloy Composition *

3.1 Alloy EN-AW 1200
Si + Fe: max. 1,0%
Cu: <0,05%
Mn: <0,05%
Zn: <0,1%
Ti: <0,05%
Al: balance
Others: <0,15%

3.2 Alloy EN-AW 8079 *
Si: 0,05-0,3%
Fe: 0,7-1,3%
Cu: <0,05%
Mn: -
Zn: <0,1%
Ti: -
Al: balance
Others: <0,15%

* the exact composition of each batch can be documented by a material certificate 2.2 or 3.1 according to DIN EN 10 204.

4. Delivery condition
Condition: cold rolled, not hardenable
Surface: bright, roughness Ra maximal 0,3 µm (depending on the roughness of the working roll)
Ultimate tensile strength: >150 N/mm²

Further mechanical data: see chapter 7 and 8.

5. Sizes
thicknesses: 0,025 – 0,20 mm
raw material width: 150,0 mm
standard width: 150,0mm
edges: cut
Lenghts: individual lengths from 5 to 10 000mm or as coil

6. Tolerances
thickness tolerace: +/- 10% der thickness
width tolerance: normal
straightness: normal
flatness: wave height max. 1,0 mm

7. Further mechanical data
Yield strength Rp0,2 : depending on the ultimate tensile strength
Elongation A80: depending on the ultimate tensile strength

Aluminium should not be used for springs.
The highest application temperature is around 250 °Celsius. Please note that Young's modulus values drop as temperature increases.

8. Physical properties
Density: 2,71 g/cm³
Thermal conductivity: 210-230 W/(m °C) depending on the temperature
Heat capacity: 897 J/(kg °C) medium value at 50 – 100 °C
Thermal expansion: 23,6 x 10 -6 (between 20 - 300 °C)
Electrical conductivity: 37,7 x 10 -6 A/(V x m)
IACS: 59%
Modus of elasticity: 69 000 MPa at 20 °C
Magnetism: paramegnetic

9. Blanking
We recommend a punch-to-die clearance of 4-10 % of the strip thickness.
The corner radius should be at least 0.25 mm and the punching die should be at least twice the strip thickness.

10. Laser cutting
This alloy can be laser cut by solid state lasers. Due to the high thermal conductivity of aluminium the laser cutting is difficult.

11. Photo etching
This alloy is very easy to etch.

12. Bending
Soft-annealed aluminum foils can be folded and bent without restrictions.
In the temper rolled condition, however, the following minimum bending radus should be taken into account (please see DIN EN 485-2, Table 4):

Up to a thickness of 0,20 mm:
1,0 x strip thickness for bending at right angle (90°) to the rolling direction ca. 2,0 x strip thickness for bending parallel to the rolling direction (this information is missing in the DIN EN 485-2)

13. Flat grinding
Aluminium is not magnetic and can not be hold by magnetic clamping devices of flat grinding machines.

14. Welding
Aluminum is very easy to weld with MIG or TIG.

15. Corrosion resistance
A permanent aluminum oxide layer passivates the metal against environmental influences.
However, in very acidic and very alkaline environments, this oxide layer is quickly dissolved.
Aluminum is also resistant to seawater. When in contact with mild steel, rust stains can affect the visual appearance of aluminum. Galvanic isolation is also advisable for copper and copper alloys.

A contakt with stainless steels is generally not problematic.