1050 vs 1060 vs 1070 vs 1100 Aluminum Disc Differences at a Glance

Title

In modern industry and everyday products, 1000 series aluminum circle discs - including 1050, 1060, 1070, and 1100 - are widely used due to their lightweight, excellent formability, and broad applicability. Common applications include cookware, lighting, bottle caps, signage, decorative panels, and electrical housings.

Among aluminum alloys, the 1000 series stands out for its high purity and unique properties. In this article, we explore the differences among these four commonly used aluminum discs: 1050, 1060, 1070, and 1100.

What is the difference between 1050, 1060, 1070, and 1100 aluminum discs?

Chemical Composition

Element	1050 (%)	1060 (%)	1070 (%)	1100 (%)
Al	99.50 min	99.60 min	99.70 min	99.00 min
Fe	0.40 max	0.35 max	0.25 max	0.95 max
Si	0.25 max	0.25 max	0.20 max	0.95 max
Cu	0.05 max	0.05 max	0.03 max	0.05-0.20
Mn	0.05 max	0.03 max	0.03 max	0.05 max
Zn	0.05 max	0.05 max	0.03 max	0.10 max
Other	0.03 each	0.03 each	0.03 each	0.15 total

Key Points:

The main difference among 1050, 1060, and 1070 is the increasing aluminum purity. Higher purity improves electrical and thermal conductivity as well as ductility.

1100 aluminum has slightly lower purity but contains minor alloying elements, enhancing strength and corrosion resistance.

Mechanical Properties

Property	1050	1060	1070	1100
Tensile Strength (MPa)	75-125	70-110	65-100	90-125
Yield Strength (MPa)	30-55	25-45	20-40	35-55
Elongation (50mm %)	25-35	25-35	25-30	20-30
Hardness (Brinell)	23-32	20-30	18-28	28-35

Key Points:

1100 aluminum has the highest strength due to copper content.

1070 aluminum is the softest and weakest but offers excellent ductility.

All alloys have excellent elongation, making them ideal for forming operations.

Physical Properties

Alloy	Melting Point (°C)	Density (g/cm³)	Electrical Conductivity (% IACS)	Thermal Conductivity (W/(m·K))
1050	650	2.7	≥59.0	227
1060	655	2.7	≥60.0	231
1070	658	2.7	≥61.0	237
1100	643	2.71	≥58.0	222

Key Points:

Electrical/thermal conductivity ranking: 1070 > 1060 > 1050 > 1100. Higher purity results in lower resistance and better conductivity. 1070 is optimal for heat and electrical conduction.

Density and melting point differences are minimal across these alloys.

Corrosion Resistance

Alloy	Corrosion Resistance	Notes
1050	Excellent	Suitable for marine and chemical environments
1060	Excellent	Slightly better than 1050 due to lower impurities
1070	Outstanding	Highest purity minimizes electrochemical corrosion
1100	Very Good	Copper content slightly reduces resistance in acidic environments

Formability and Weldability

Performance	1050	1060	1070	1100
Formability	Excellent	Excellent	Exceptional	Good
Weldability	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent
Surface Treatment Compatibility	Good for anodizing	Good for anodizing	Good for anodizing	Strong compatibility with coating

Key Points:

1100 aluminum hardens faster during cold working and requires annealing for deep drawing.

1070 aluminum is easiest to form due to minimal work hardening.

1050 1060 1070 1100 aluminum disc circle.jpg

Typical Applications

1050 Aluminum Discs

Lighting reflectors, signage, cookware bases, appliance housings

Features: Good formability, low cost, suitable for general stamping and spinning

1060 Aluminum Discs

CTP printing plates, lampshades, cookware, pressure cooker bottoms, food containers

Features: High ductility, suitable for anodizing and deep drawing

1070 Aluminum Discs

Electrical components, appliance panels, EMI shielding, transformer housings

Features: High purity, excellent conductivity and thermal transfer, ideal for electronics

1100 Aluminum Discs

Bottle caps, decorative panels, food packaging lids, architectural panels, traffic signage

Features: Good corrosion resistance, slightly higher strength, suitable for stamping, printing, and coating

How to Choose the Right Alloy

Prioritize electrical/thermal conductivity and budget allows: choose 1070
Prioritize thermal conductivity and cost-effectiveness: choose 1060
Need finished product with higher strength or used in signage/cookware: choose 1100
Need general-purpose discs for deep drawing and stamping: choose 1050