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A pressure cooker is a kitchen appliance that uses high temperature and high pressure to accelerate cooking. By creating a sealed environment, steam cannot escape, which increases cooking efficiency. The safety, durability, and heat conductivity of a pressure cooker largely depend on the quality of its raw materials.

Pressure cookers are commonly manufactured using 1060 cookware aluminum discs, 1070 cookware aluminum discs, and 3003 cookware aluminum discs, among which 1060 aluminum circles are the most popular due to their excellent formability, corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness.

Understanding 1060 Aluminum Circles

1060 aluminum circle belongs to the 1000 series of pure aluminum, with an aluminum content of at least 99.6%. It offers excellent ductility, corrosion resistance, and high reflectivity. Its superior formability makes it ideal for deep drawing and spinning processes, which are essential in the production of pressure cookers, cookware, and lighting reflectors.

Key Features of 1060 Aluminum Alloy:

• High purity: Aluminum content ≥ 99.6%.

• Excellent thermal and electrical conductivity

• Outstanding corrosion resistance in most environments

• Good balance of elongation and tensile strength

• Non-toxic and environmentally friendly, compliant with food safety standards

Specifications of 1060 Cookware Aluminum Circles

Advantages of 1060 Aluminum Circles in Cookware Manufacturing

1. Excellent Drawing Properties:
   1060 aluminum circles have high ductility and low hardness, allowing them to withstand multiple drawing processes without cracking. This ensures smooth, wrinkle-free cookware, especially in the soft O-temper state.

2. Superior Heat Conductivity:
   1060 aluminum disks distribute heat evenly across the bottom and sides of cookware, preventing hot spots, improving cooking efficiency, and reducing cooking time.

3. Lightweight and Durable:
   Compared to stainless steel, 1060 aluminum is much lighter, making pressure cookers easier to handle and transport. Despite its light weight, mechanical strength is maintained after forming and hard anodizing.

4. Excellent Corrosion Resistance:
   The high-purity aluminum naturally forms a dense oxide layer, protecting the cookware from rust and ensuring hygiene during daily use.

5. Cost-Effective:
   Being a pure aluminum alloy without expensive alloying elements such as magnesium or manganese, 1060 aluminum offers a lower per-ton cost.

6. Environmentally Friendly and Recyclable:
   Aluminum can be recycled indefinitely, making the use of 1060 aluminum a sustainable choice.

Applications of 1060 Aluminum Circles

1060 aluminum circles are widely used in the global market, particularly in Asia, South America, and Africa:

• Pressure cookers

• Non-stick cookware

• Rice cooker inner pots

• Frying pans and lids

• Cookware bases

• Reflectors and industrial components

Manufacturing Process of 1060 Aluminum Circles

1. Casting and Rolling: Melting pure aluminum ingots and casting them into slabs, followed by hot rolling into plates.

2. Cold Rolling: Further rolling to achieve the desired thickness and uniform grain structure.

3. Blanking: Using high-speed punching machines to cut circular blanks from aluminum sheets.

4. Annealing: Heat treatment softens the circles to improve formability.

5. Surface Treatment: Optional milling, polishing, or anodizing to enhance corrosion resistance.

6. Packaging: Finished circles are wrapped in plastic film and stacked on wooden pallets for safe transport.

Are Aluminum Cookware Safe and Durable?

Health Considerations:
1060 aluminum is food-grade pure aluminum, free of harmful heavy metals or toxic substances. It meets FDA and EU food contact safety standards. The naturally formed oxide layer prevents chemical reactions with food.

Modern pressure cookers and cookware made from 1060 aluminum often undergo anodizing or coating with non-stick or protective layers. These treatments prevent direct contact between aluminum and food, ensuring no metallic taste, discoloration, or harmful leaching.

Durability Considerations:
Pure aluminum has relatively low hardness. To enhance durability, manufacturers typically:

• Use thicker 1060 aluminum circles to provide structural strength for high-pressure cooking.

• Apply hard anodizing on the exterior, creating a hard, wear-resistant oxide layer that increases scratch resistance and extends service life.