Deep drawing and spinning
1100-O has high elongation and a low yield-to-tensile ratio, so it flows well in dies and on spinning lathes. Intermediate anneals allow very deep draws.
Aerospace · commercially pure sheet
1100 Aerospace Aluminium Sheet and Plate
1100 sheet and plate is 99.00 % pure aluminium with a small copper addition, supplied annealed (1100-O, AMS 4001) or half hard (1100-H14, formerly AMS 4003, now ASTM B209). Aerospace programmes use it for spun and drawn parts, ducts, shims, closures, heat shields and interior parts that carry little load. Metline supplies 1100 sheet and plate in O, H12, H14, H16 and H18, cut to size and certified, worldwide.
- Alloy
- 1100 (UNS A91100)
- Tempers
- O, H12, H14, H16, H18
- Thickness
- 0.016 – 6.0 in (0.4 – 150 mm)
- Standards
- AMS 4001 · ASTM B209
The role of 1100 sheet in aerospace
Every aircraft contains formed sheet parts that see almost no structural load but must be made in awkward shapes and must not corrode. 1100 is the US aerospace default for that job.
Annealed 1100-O can be deep drawn, spun, stretched and bent flat on itself. It welds and brazes easily and anodises to a clean, bright finish. Typical parts are air ducts and plenums, spun nose caps and covers, shims and packers, lightly loaded closures and access covers, heat and radiation shields, liners, and interior trim. Half-hard 1100-H14 is chosen for flat or lightly formed parts that must stay flat and resist dents in handling.
For structural skins, aircraft use clad 2024 or 7075 instead. 1100 is far too weak for primary structure: its annealed yield strength is only about 25 – 35 MPa. It also differs from the cladding layer on Alclad sheet, which is a separate pure-aluminium or Al-Zn layer metallurgically bonded to a strong core.
1100 chemical composition
| Element | Limit (wt %) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon + iron (Si + Fe) | 0.95 max combined | The two main impurities are controlled together |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.05 – 0.20 | Deliberate small addition; raises strength slightly over 1050/1060 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.05 max | |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.10 max | |
| Others, each / total | 0.05 / 0.15 max | |
| Aluminium (Al) | 99.00 min | By difference |
AMS 4001 and AMS 4003 both use the standard 1100 limits. Their titles refer to "0.12 Cu", which is simply the nominal copper content within the 0.05 – 0.20 % range.
Specified properties of 1100 sheet by temper
The table lists the specified tensile limits used in ASTM B209 for 1100 sheet in the common thickness range; elongation minimums vary with thickness. These are the values to design to and to check certificates against.
| Temper | Tensile strength | Yield strength min | Elongation min (typical sheet gauge) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O | 75 – 105 MPa (11.0 – 15.5 ksi) | 25 MPa (3.5 ksi) | about 25 – 30 % |
| H12 | 95 – 130 MPa (14 – 19 ksi) | 75 MPa (11 ksi) | about 6 – 12 % |
| H14 | 110 – 145 MPa (16 – 21 ksi) | 95 MPa (14 ksi) | about 4 – 10 % |
| H16 | 130 – 165 MPa (19 – 24 ksi) | 115 MPa (17 ksi) | about 3 – 4 % |
| H18 | 150 MPa (22 ksi) min | — | about 3 – 4 % |
Values summarised from ASTM B209; check the current edition and your thickness band for exact limits.
Physical properties (typical)
- Density
- 2.71 g/cm³ (0.098 lb/in³)
- Melting range
- 643 – 657 °C
- Electrical conductivity
- about 59 % IACS (O), 57 % IACS (H18)
- Thermal conductivity
- about 222 W/m·K (O)
- Thermal expansion
- 23.6 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Modulus of elasticity
- 69 GPa (10,000 ksi)
Aerospace and commercial specifications
| Document | Covers | Status / comment |
|---|---|---|
| SAE AMS 4001 | Sheet and plate, 1100-O annealed | Current aerospace specification for annealed 1100 |
| SAE AMS 4003 | Sheet and plate, 1100-H14 | Cancelled; SAE refers to ASTM B209, 1100-H14 |
| ASTM B209 / B209M (ASME SB-209) | Sheet and plate, all tempers | Main commercial specification |
| QQ-A-250/1 | Federal sheet and plate, 1100 | Superseded by ASTM B209; still seen on older drawings |
| EN 485-2, EN 573-3 | Sheet and plate; chemistry (EN AW-1100) | European route |
| JIS H4000 | A1100P | Japanese equivalent |
Equivalent designations: UNS A91100, EN AW-1100 (Al99.0Cu), ISO Al99.0Cu, JIS A1100. The UK grade 1200 is close but is not a direct substitute where AMS or ASTM 1100 is specified.
Sizes and weights
Supply range
- Sheet
- 0.016 – 0.249 in (0.4 – 6.3 mm)
- Plate
- 0.250 – 6.0 in (6.35 – 150 mm), usually O or H112
- Width and length
- 36 × 96, 48 × 96, 48 × 144 in; metric 1000 × 2000, 1250 × 2500 mm; coil and slit strip
- Cut to size
- Shear, saw or waterjet blanks and circles to drawing
- Surface
- Mill finish; PVC film, brushed or embossed on request
- Tolerances
- ASTM B209 / ANSI H35.2 or EN 485-4
Weight in pounds of a 48 × 144 in sheet = thickness (in) × 48 × 144 × 0.098. Metric: 2.71 kg per m² per mm.
| Thickness (in) | Thickness (mm) | lb/ft² | 48 × 144 in sheet (lb) | 48 × 144 in sheet (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.016 | 0.41 | 0.226 | 10.8 | 4.9 |
| 0.020 | 0.51 | 0.282 | 13.5 | 6.1 |
| 0.025 | 0.64 | 0.353 | 16.9 | 7.7 |
| 0.032 | 0.81 | 0.452 | 21.7 | 9.8 |
| 0.040 | 1.02 | 0.564 | 27.1 | 12.3 |
| 0.050 | 1.27 | 0.706 | 33.9 | 15.4 |
| 0.063 | 1.60 | 0.889 | 42.7 | 19.4 |
| 0.080 | 2.03 | 1.129 | 54.2 | 24.6 |
| 0.090 | 2.29 | 1.270 | 61.0 | 27.7 |
| 0.125 | 3.17 | 1.764 | 84.7 | 38.4 |
| 0.160 | 4.06 | 2.258 | 108.4 | 49.2 |
| 0.190 | 4.83 | 2.681 | 128.7 | 58.4 |
| 0.250 | 6.35 | 3.528 | 169.3 | 76.8 |
| 0.375 | 9.52 | 5.292 | 254.0 | 115.2 |
| 0.500 | 12.70 | 7.056 | 338.7 | 153.6 |
Forming, joining and finishing 1100 sheet
Bending
O temper bends 180° flat; H14 needs an inside radius of roughly 0 – 1 × thickness depending on gauge.
Welding and brazing
TIG, MIG and resistance welding with 1100 or 4043 filler; brazing with Al-Si fillers.
Machining and cutting
Soft and gummy. Shear and punch with sharp, close-clearance tools; machine with high-rake, polished cutters.
Finishing
Clear and coloured anodising, chemical conversion coating, painting and bright dipping.
Corrosion
Excellent in air and fresh water. Isolate from carbon fibre, copper and steel in damp areas.
1100 versus 1050A, 3003 and 5052 sheet
| 1100-H14 | 1050A-H14 | 3003-H14 | 5052-H32 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical tensile | 124 MPa | ~110 MPa | 150 MPa | 230 MPa |
| Formability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Very good |
| Weldability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Main specs | AMS 4001, ASTM B209 | EN 485, BS 1B | AMS 4006, ASTM B209 | AMS 4015/4016/4017, ASTM B209 |
For a little more strength with the same forming behaviour, move to 3003. For fuel tanks, fairings and other parts that carry moderate load, 5052-H32 is the usual aerospace step up.
How to order 1100 sheet and plate
- SpecifyAlloy and temper, thickness, width and length or a cutting list, quantity and the governing specification with its revision (AMS 4001, ASTM B209 or EN 485).
- ConfirmWe confirm the specification can be met, the tolerance class, test requirements and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- InspectMaterial is checked for dimensions and surface condition; any extra tests named on the order are carried out or arranged.
- DocumentEach lot ships with a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 showing chemistry and mechanical results, traceable to the heat or lot number.
- Pack and shipExport packing in sealed, moisture-protected cases or on pallets, shipped by sea or air to your port or door.
References and standards
- SAE AMS 4001 – Aluminum Sheet and Plate, 0.12Cu (1100-O), Annealed
- SAE AMS 4003 – Aluminum Sheet and Plate, 0.12Cu (1100-H14) (cancelled, superseded by ASTM B209)
- ASTM B209 – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials
1100 aerospace aluminium (aluminum) sheet: FAQ
What is AMS 4001?
SAE AMS 4001 is the aerospace specification for 1100-O (annealed) aluminium sheet and plate, intended for parts that need high formability.
Is AMS 4003 still active?
No. AMS 4003 (1100-H14 sheet and plate) was cancelled and SAE refers to ASTM B209, alloy 1100, temper H14. We certify to B209 for these orders.
Can 1100 sheet be used for aircraft skins?
Not for structural skins; it is far too weak. Skins use clad 2024 or 7075. 1100 suits ducts, shims, covers and other lightly loaded formed parts.
What is the yield strength of 1100-O sheet?
The specified minimum is 25 MPa (3.5 ksi); typical values are about 34 MPa.
How much does a 0.063 in × 48 × 144 in sheet of 1100 weigh?
About 42.7 lb (19.4 kg).
Do you cut 1100 sheet to size?
Yes. We supply blanks, strips and circles cut by shear, saw or waterjet, with PVC film on request.
Need 1100 sheet or plate for formed aerospace parts?
Send thickness, size, temper and specification. We reply with availability, certification and a delivered price.
