Round flat
The standard slug for backward-extruded cans, tubes and housings.
High-purity impact extrusion slugs
1070 Aluminium Slug
1070 aluminium slugs are annealed blanks of at least 99.7 % aluminium, the softest and most ductile of the common slug grades. They make the thinnest walls and deepest parts in impact extrusion, from aerosol cans and collapsible tubes to battery and capacitor cases. Metline supplies 1070 and 1070A slugs in round, perforated, oval, rectangular and custom shapes, with controlled hardness and surface, worldwide.
- Purity
- ≥ 99.7 % Al
- Temper
- O (annealed)
- Shapes
- Round, oval, square, perforated
- Standard
- EN 570 · EN 573-3
Why 1070 is the reference slug alloy
In a typical aerosol-can press, a slug only a few millimetres thick becomes a can body with walls a fraction of a millimetre thick in a single stroke. Very few metals tolerate that much deformation at room temperature; annealed 99.7 % aluminium does it routinely.
The low level of iron, silicon and other elements in 1070 means fewer hard intermetallic particles and a lower work-hardening rate. The result is low flow stress, high elongation, fewer surface defects in thin walls, and lower press loads and tool wear than with 1050 or alloyed slugs. That is why 1070 (or the European 1070A) is the conventional alloy for aerosol cans and collapsible tubes.
The trade-off is strength. Parts in 1070 rely on the cold work of extrusion for stiffness and, for aerosol cans, on wall thickness and shape. When higher strength or burst pressure is needed, designers move to 1050, 3003 or heat-treatable 6061 slugs.
1070 / 1070A chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | 1070 (AA) | EN AW-1070A |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20 max | 0.20 max |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.25 max | 0.25 max |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.04 max | 0.03 max |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.03 max | 0.03 max |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.03 max | 0.03 max |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.04 max | 0.07 max |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.03 max | 0.03 max |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.05 max | — |
| Others, each | 0.03 max | 0.03 max |
| Aluminium (Al) | 99.70 min | 99.70 min |
Aluminum Association and EN 573-3 limits. Each lot is certified with its actual analysis.
Mechanical and physical properties
| Property (O temper) | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | About 60 – 80 MPa (EN 485-2 range for 1070A O: 60 – 90 MPa) |
| Yield strength (0.2 %) | About 20 – 35 MPa |
| Elongation | About 35 – 42 % |
| Brinell hardness | About 16 – 20 HB |
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.70 g/cm³
- Melting range
- About 645 – 658 °C
- Thermal conductivity
- About 225 – 230 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity
- About 61 – 62 % IACS
- Modulus of elasticity
- About 69 GPa
For press shops the critical controls are hardness, grain size and surface. A narrow hardness band keeps wall thickness and can height consistent; a fine, even grain avoids "orange peel" on the finished wall. State your hardness window and any grain-size requirement on the order.
Sizes, shapes and weights
Typical supply range
- Diameter
- About 3 – 220 mm (round); oval and rectangular outlines to drawing
- Thickness
- About 1 – 25 mm and more for sawn slugs
- Temper
- O (annealed); harder conditions such as H112 on request
- Mass
- Set by diameter and thickness to suit the finished part, with close mass control
- Tolerances
- EN 570 tables or tighter limits on your drawing
Common round diameters run from about 20 to 116 mm; for example 20, 25, 27, 40, 45, 50, 54, 63.5, 74, 85, 89, 90 and 116 mm are frequently requested. EN 570 sets diameter and thickness tolerances that widen as size increases; tighter tolerances can be agreed where your press setup needs them.
Perforated (centre hole)
For open-ended collapsible tubes, nozzles and parts with a through bore.
Domed, concave or conical
Pre-shaped faces that improve metal flow and reduce the force needed for deep parts.
Oval, square and rectangular
For non-round cans, prismatic battery cases and rectangular housings.
| Diameter (mm) | Thickness (mm) | Mass per slug (g) | Slugs per 25 kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 3 | 2.5 | 9824 |
| 25 | 4 | 5.3 | 4715 |
| 27 | 5 | 7.7 | 3234 |
| 35 | 5 | 13.0 | 1924 |
| 40 | 6 | 20.4 | 1228 |
| 45 | 6 | 25.8 | 970 |
| 50 | 7 | 37.1 | 673 |
| 54 | 8 | 49.5 | 505 |
| 63.5 | 8 | 68.4 | 365 |
| 74 | 10 | 116.1 | 215 |
| 90 | 12 | 206.1 | 121 |
| 116 | 15 | 428.0 | 58 |
Mass = π/4 × d² × t × density, for a solid round slug with no centre hole. Perforated, domed or grooved slugs weigh less; the exact slug mass is set from the volume of your finished part plus trim allowance.
Surface treatments
Tumbled
Rotated with media to remove burrs and oxide; the slightly roughened surface holds lubricant.
Shot-peened or blasted
An even matte texture that retains lubricant uniformly, preferred for demanding draws.
Sand-blasted
Cleans and roughens the surface, removing oxide and contaminants.
Mill finish
As punched or sawn and annealed; for less critical parts.
The press lubricant, commonly zinc stearate, is applied by the user (or on request) after surface treatment. A uniform surface texture is what keeps lubricant coverage, and therefore wall finish and tool life, consistent from slug to slug.
How 1070 slugs are made
| Route | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Punched from strip | Cast or rolled strip is cold rolled to thickness, slugs are blanked on high-speed presses, then annealed and finished | Thin to medium slugs in high volume: aerosol, tube and capacitor slugs |
| Sawn from rod or bar | Cast or extruded rod is sawn to length, then annealed and finished | Thick slugs, large diameters and short runs; low scrap |
- Melt and castHigh-purity aluminium is melted, refined and cast to strip or rod.
- Roll or cutStrip is hot and cold rolled to thickness and blanked; rod is sawn to length.
- AnnealSlugs are annealed under controlled conditions to the specified soft hardness.
- Surface treatTumbling or blasting removes burrs and oxide and prepares the surface for lubricant.
- Inspect and packDimensions, mass, hardness and surface are checked before packing.
Applications of 1070 slugs
| Part | Typical slug shape | Why 1070 |
|---|---|---|
| Aerosol cans and bottles | Solid round or domed | Thin, tall walls; good lacquer and print surface |
| Collapsible tubes | Perforated round | Very thin walls that fold without cracking |
| Battery and capacitor cases | Round, oval or rectangular | Deep draws; high conductivity |
| Heat sinks and LED housings | Round or rectangular | High thermal conductivity; cold-forged fins |
| Automotive parts (sensors, receiver/dryers, mufflers) | Round or concave | Formability; often moved to 3003 or 6061 for strength |
| Medical and fire-extinguisher components | Round | Clean, corrosion-resistant surface |
Packing for export
Slugs are commonly packed by net weight in cartons or bags (25 kg is a common unit), stacked on wooden pallets and stretch-wrapped against moisture and dirt. Each carton is labelled with product code, lot number and customer details, and carton or pallet sizes can be adapted to your handling equipment. Every shipment includes an EN 10204 3.1 certificate and packing list.
How to order 1070 slugs
- SpecifyGrade (1070 or 1070A), diameter or outline, thickness, centre hole, temper, surface treatment, tolerance and quantity; a drawing of the slug or the finished part helps.
- ConfirmWe confirm the production route (punched or sawn), tolerance basis (EN 570 or your drawing), test documents and EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
- SampleTrial quantities can be supplied so you can run them on your press before a production order.
- Produce and inspectSlugs are cut, annealed, surface treated, then checked for dimensions, mass, hardness and surface.
- Pack and shipMoisture-protected cartons or bags on export pallets, with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate.
References and standards
- EN 570 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: impact extrusion slugs obtained from wrought products, specification
- EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
- EN 485-2 – Sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 14A – Metalworking: Bulk Forming (impact extrusion)
1070 aluminium (aluminum) slugs: FAQs
Why is 1070 used for aerosol cans?
At 99.7 % purity and fully annealed, 1070 has the low flow stress and high ductility needed to extrude thin, tall can walls in one stroke, with a clean surface for lacquering and printing.
What is the difference between 1070 and 1070A?
1070A is the European EN 573-3 designation. Both require at least 99.7 % aluminium; the small differences in copper and zinc limits do not affect impact extrusion.
What hardness are 1070 slugs supplied at?
Annealed 1070 slugs are typically in the range of about 16 – 20 HB. A specific window can be agreed and certified for your process.
Which surface treatment should I choose?
Shot-peened or blasted slugs hold lubricant most evenly and suit demanding draws; tumbled slugs are a good general choice. Discuss your part and press with us.
How do I work out the slug weight?
Slug mass equals the mass of the finished part plus trim. For a solid round slug, mass in grams = 0.785 × d² × t × 2.70 / 1000, with d and t in mm.
When should I use 3003 instead of 1070?
When the finished part needs higher strength, for example pressure-bearing cans or battery cases that must resist swelling. 3003 needs higher press force.
Need 1070 aluminium slugs?
Send size, shape, surface, hardness range and quantity for a quotation with mill certification.
