1050 aluminum sheets, as a typical commercially pure aluminum product with a minimum aluminum content of 99.5%, are widely used in electronic heat sinks, power transmission cables, food packaging, and architectural decoration. Compared with alloy aluminum sheets, 1050 materials has excellent electrical conductivity (≥62% IACS), thermal conductivity, and ductility, especially suitable for scenarios requiring high conductivity and formability. However, in practical applications such as stamping, bending, and long-term use in humid environments, specific problems may occur due to its low strength and pure aluminum characteristics. Below is a detailed analysis of these common issues, their root causes, targeted solutions, and the core competitiveness of Zhongfu Aluminum’s 1050 high-conductivity aluminum sheets.
I. Common Problems & Root Causes
1. Low Strength Leading to Deformation
1050 aluminum sheets have low tensile strength, so they are prone to permanent deformation under external pressure or load during use (such as heat sink installation, packaging container stacking). The main causes are:
Material inherent characteristic: 1050 pure aluminum has low alloy element content, and its tensile strength is only 75-105MPa, which is difficult to bear heavy loads.
Inappropriate temper selection: Choosing O-temper (full soft) for load-bearing scenarios leads to excessive ductility and insufficient rigidity.
Thickness mismatch: Using too thin 1050 aluminum sheets (≤0.8mm) in scenarios requiring structural stability leads to deformation under stress.
2. Conductivity Attenuation
For 1050 aluminum sheets used in electrical conductivity scenarios (such as cables, heat sinks), conductivity may decrease, affecting use efficiency. The core influencing factors are:
Material impurity: High content of iron, silicon and other impurities in inferior 1050 aluminum sheets (exceeding ASTM B209 standards) blocks electron flow and reduces conductivity.
High-temperature processing impact: Improper annealing temperature (exceeding 450℃) leads to grain coarsening, which affects conductivity.
Surface oxidation: Thick oxide layer on the surface of aluminum sheets increases contact resistance and reduces heat dissipation/conductivity efficiency.
3. Surface Scratches & Oxide Spots
1050 aluminum sheets have low hardness, so their surfaces are prone to scratches during processing, transportation, or installation. In humid environments, oxide spots are also easy to occur, affecting appearance and performance. The main reasons are:
Poor protective measures: Lack of protective film during transportation, or direct contact with hard objects leads to scratches.
Humid storage environment: Failure to store in a dry environment leads to surface oxidation and formation of black or white oxide spots.
Improper cleaning: Using corrosive cleaning agents to clean the surface damages the natural oxide film and accelerates oxidation.
4. Difficulty in Welding Quality Control
When 1050 aluminum sheets are used in welded components (such as heat sink assemblies), defects such as porosity and softening of welded joints are prone to occur. This is mainly caused by:
High hydrogen solubility: Pure aluminum has high hydrogen solubility, and hydrogen in the welding environment is easy to dissolve into the weld, forming porosity when cooled.
Weld softening: The welding heat-affected zone undergoes recrystallization, leading to a decrease in strength (tensile strength reduced by 20-30% compared with the base material).
Poor surface pretreatment: Oil stains and oxide films on the welding surface are not thoroughly cleaned, affecting weld fusion.
5. Edge Cracking During Stamping
Although 1050 aluminum sheets have good ductility, edge cracking may occur during deep stamping or flanging. The main factors are:
Uneven edge burrs: The edge of the aluminum sheet has burrs or uneven thickness, leading to stress concentration during stamping.
Excessive stamping speed: The material cannot undergo uniform plastic deformation in time, resulting in local stress overload and cracking.
Insufficient lubrication: Friction between the aluminum sheet and the mold is too large, which hinders material flow and causes edge tearing.
II. Key Solutions to Mitigate Problems
1. Optimize material selection and temper matching
Select 1050 aluminum sheets that comply with GB/T 3880-2012 and ASTM B209 standards, ensuring aluminum content ≥99.5% and low impurity content. For load-bearing scenarios, choose H14 semi-hard temper (tensile strength 100-130MPa); for complex stamping, choose O temper.
2. Control processing parameters
For welding, adopt argon arc welding (TIG) with matching 1050 welding wire, control welding current (100-150A) and speed (6-12 mm/s), and preheat the base material to 50-100℃ to reduce porosity. For stamping, control speed (20-40 mm/s) and use neutral lubricants (such as vegetable oil-based lubricants) to avoid surface scratches.
3. Strengthen surface protection and storage
Paste PE protective film on the surface of 1050 aluminum sheets before delivery; store in a dry, well-ventilated environment (humidity ≤60%, temperature 15-25℃), avoid contact with water and corrosive substances. Use neutral cleaning agents (such as alcohol) for surface cleaning.
4. Improve edge quality
Adopt precision slitting equipment to ensure smooth edges of aluminum sheets (burr height ≤0.02mm); conduct edge deburring treatment before stamping to reduce stress concentration.
III. Reasons for Choosing Zhongfu Aluminum 1050 High-Conductivity Aluminum Sheets
1. High Purity & Stable Conductivity
Our 1050 aluminum sheets are made of high-purity aluminum ingots (Al content ≥99.6%), with strict control of iron and silicon content (total ≤0.3%). The conductivity reaches ≥63% IACS, which is 2-3% higher than industry average. All products undergo conductivity testing before delivery, with qualified rate 99.9%.
2. Customized Solutions for Diverse Scenarios
For electronic heat sinks, we provide 1050 aluminum sheets with thickness 0.5-3.0mm and polished surface; for power cables, we offer O-temper 1050 aluminum strips with width 10-500mm; for food packaging, we provide food-grade 1050 aluminum sheets with anodizing treatment. Common specifications: thickness 0.3-5.0mm, width 1000-2200mm, support non-standard customization.
3. Professional Technical Support
Our technical team provides one-stop services from pre-sales consultation (temper and thickness recommendation) to in-sales process guidance (welding and stamping parameter matching) and after-sales problem solving. We have helped 600+ electronic and packaging customers reduce scrap rate by 15-20%.
4. Strong Production Capacity & Reliable Supply
Annual production capacity of 1050 series aluminum sheets reaches 120,000 tons, with sufficient inventory of common specifications. We can realize 48-hour quick delivery for urgent orders, and cooperate with major ports to provide flexible international logistics solutions, on-time delivery rate 99.6%.
5. Factory-Direct Pricing & Global Recognition
Eliminate intermediate agents, helping customers save 8-15% procurement costs. Products are exported to 40+ countries and regions, serving 180+ distributors and 3,200+ end customers. Hold ISO9001, SGS and BV certifications, customer repurchase rate 89%
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