Stucco
Irregular, orange-peel texture. Diffuses reflection, hides handling marks and gives moderate stiffening. The most common pattern for underbody shields.
Automotive thermal protection
1050 Embossed Aluminium Heat Shield Sheet
Embossed aluminium heat shield sheet is thin 1050, 1100, 3003 or 5052 sheet rolled with a raised pattern, then stamped into shields that sit between hot exhaust parts and the vehicle floor, fuel tank, wiring or engine-bay components. Bright aluminium reflects most radiant heat, and the embossing adds stiffness and stops the shield rattling. Metline supplies embossed heat shield sheet and coil in standard and custom patterns to automotive and component makers worldwide.
- Alloys
- 1050 · 1100 · 3003 · 5052
- Tempers
- O, H14, H24, H26, H32
- Thickness
- About 0.3 – 3.5 mm
- Patterns
- Stucco, hemisphere, diamond
How embossed aluminium heat shields work
Heat travels from an exhaust pipe, catalytic converter or turbocharger to nearby parts mainly by radiation. A bright aluminium surface reflects most of that infrared energy instead of absorbing it, and its own low emissivity means it re-radiates little of what it does absorb. A shield placed a few millimetres away therefore keeps the part behind it much cooler.
Embossing does three useful jobs. It stiffens thin sheet so a 0.5 mm shield keeps its shape without heavy ribs; it breaks up the flat surface so the shield resonates less and does not drum or rattle; and it reduces the contact area where a shield touches a mounting or a neighbouring layer, cutting heat conduction. Many shields combine two embossed aluminium skins with an insulating layer between them for higher-temperature locations.
1050 is the most common alloy because it is soft, deep-drawable, highly reflective and inexpensive. 1100 and 3003 add a little strength, and 5052 is used where the shield must resist vibration fatigue or road debris.
Which alloy for which heat shield?
| Alloy | Typical tempers | Strength level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1050 / 1050A | O, H14, H24 | Low | Deep-drawn underbody and exhaust shields; highest formability |
| 1060 / 1070 | O, H14 | Very low | Maximum reflectivity and conductivity; simple shapes |
| 1100 | O, H14, H24 | Low | General shields; slightly stronger than 1050 |
| 3003 | O, H14, H24, H26 | Medium-low | Engine-bay and hood insulation shields needing more stiffness |
| 5052 | O, H32, H34 | Medium | Shields exposed to vibration, stone impact or higher mechanical loads |
Soft O and H111 tempers are used for deep-drawn shields with complex contours. Half-hard H14 and H24 suit flatter shapes that need to hold their form. H24 is partially annealed after rolling, so it offers similar strength to H14 with better elongation.
Embossing patterns and what they do
Hemispherical (dimple)
Regular domes in a staggered grid. Gives the highest stiffness and greatest reduction of contact area; popular for exhaust and catalytic-converter shields.
Diamond / rhombus
Pyramidal pattern with good stiffness in two directions and a clear technical look.
Cobblestone
Larger, rounded irregular bosses; used for decorative or acoustic layers.
Tread / checker
Heavier raised pattern for footplates and step panels rather than thermal shields.
Custom
Pattern depth and pitch matched to the stamping and acoustic requirements of a specific shield.
Embossing slightly reduces apparent thickness tolerance and adds to overall height, so tool designers need the embossed thickness (overall height) as well as the base gauge.
Supply range
Embossed heat shield sheet and coil
- Alloys
- 1050, 1050A, 1060, 1070, 1100, 3003, 5052
- Tempers
- O, H111, H14, H24, H26, H32
- Base thickness
- About 0.3 – 3.5 mm; 0.4 – 1.0 mm is most common for shields
- Width
- Slit coil from about 50 mm up to wide coil and sheet, to suit progressive dies
- Form
- Coil, slit strip or cut sheet
- Surface
- Mill finish embossed; optional oiling for stamping
- Standards
- ASTM B209, EN 485, EN 573-3, JIS H4000
1050 properties for heat shield design
The table gives the EN AW-1050A chemical limits. ASTM 1050 is almost identical.
| Element | Limit (wt %) |
|---|---|
| Aluminium (Al) | 99.50 min |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.40 max |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.25 max |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.07 max |
| Copper, magnesium, manganese, titanium | 0.05 max each |
| Others, each | 0.03 max |
| Temper | Tensile strength (EN 485-2) | Yield strength, min | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| O / H111 | 65 – 95 MPa | 20 MPa | Deep-drawn shields |
| H14 | 105 – 145 MPa | 85 MPa | Shallow shields that must stay flat |
| H24 | 105 – 145 MPa | 75 MPa | Shallow shields with some bending |
| H16 | 120 – 160 MPa | 100 MPa | Stiffer flat panels |
Physical properties of 1050
- Density
- 2.70 – 2.71 g/cm³
- Melting range
- About 645 – 660 °C
- Thermal conductivity
- About 220 – 230 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity
- About 61 – 62 % IACS
- Infrared reflectivity, bright surface
- Typically above 80 %, falling as the surface oxidises or gets dirty
Heat shield design and fabrication tips
- Keep an air gap: a gap of several millimetres between source and shield does much of the work; a shield in contact with the pipe conducts heat directly
- Use layered construction for hot zones: two embossed skins with a fibre or mica insulating layer handle higher temperatures than a single sheet
- Choose temper for the draw depth: O temper for deep draws, H14 or H24 for shallow shields that must resist denting
- Isolate from steel: use aluminised or stainless fasteners and washers, and avoid trapping moisture against steel brackets to prevent galvanic corrosion
- Allow for expansion: aluminium expands about twice as much as steel; slotted mounting holes stop distortion and noise
- Protect against road salt: 1xxx and 3xxx alloys resist corrosion well, but drainage holes prevent water pooling in the shield
Where embossed heat shields are used
| Location | Purpose | Typical alloy |
|---|---|---|
| Underbody / exhaust tunnel | Protect floor, carpet and cabin from exhaust heat | 1050, 1100 stucco |
| Fuel tank and lines | Keep fuel temperature and vapour pressure down | 1050, 3003 |
| Catalytic converter and silencer | Outer shield with insulation layer | 1050 or 3003 skins |
| Engine bay and bulkhead | Protect wiring, hoses and the bulkhead | 3003, 5052 |
| Battery and electronics (EV) | Thermal and radiant barrier for packs and inverters | 1050, 3003, 5052 |
| Starter, brake and steering components | Local spot shields | 1050, 3003 |
Outside the automotive industry, the same embossed sheet is used in HVAC duct lining, appliance heat barriers, industrial ovens and building insulation facings.
How to order
- SpecifyAlloy and temper, base thickness, pattern, width and coil or sheet form, quantity and the governing specification with its revision (ASTM B209 or EN 485).
- ConfirmWe confirm the specification can be met, the tolerance class, any extra tests and the delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP).
- InspectMaterial is checked for dimensions, straightness and surface condition; tests named on the order are carried out or arranged with a third party.
- DocumentEach lot ships with a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 showing chemistry and mechanical results, traceable to the cast or lot number.
- Pack and shipExport packing in sealed, moisture-protected wooden cases, coils on pallets or reels, shipped by sea or air to your port or door.
References and standards
- ASTM B209 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
- EN 485-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: sheet, strip and plate, mechanical properties
- EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
- JIS H4000 – Aluminium and aluminium alloy sheets, strips and plates
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
Embossed aluminium (aluminum) heat shield sheet: FAQs
Why is 1050 used for heat shields?
It is soft enough for deep drawing, highly reflective, corrosion resistant and inexpensive. Where more stiffness is needed, 3003 or 5052 is used.
What temperature can an aluminium heat shield withstand?
The shield itself should stay well below about 300 °C to keep its shape. It can protect against much hotter sources, because it reflects radiant heat and sits at a distance from the source.
Which embossing pattern is best?
Stucco is the general-purpose choice. Hemispherical patterns give more stiffness and lower contact area for exhaust shields.
What thickness is typical?
Most stamped shields use 0.4 – 1.0 mm base thickness; layered shields often combine two thin skins with an insulating core.
Can embossed sheet be supplied in slit coil for progressive dies?
Yes. Coil can be slit to width and supplied with or without stamping oil.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, with mill certificates and export packing from Mumbai.
Need embossed heat shield sheet?
Send alloy, temper, thickness, pattern and width. We will reply with a quote and availability.
