1060 aluminum sheets, the most widely used commercially pure aluminum product with a minimum aluminum content of 99.6%, are widely applied in kitchenware, decorative panels, heat exchangers, and deep-drawn parts. Compared with other pure aluminum series, 1060 alloy balances ductility, cost-effectiveness, and corrosion resistance, making it the first choice for general-purpose pure aluminum applications. However, in practical applications such as deep drawing, bending, and long-term outdoor use, specific problems may occur due to its material characteristics and process operations. Below is a detailed analysis of these common issues, their root causes, targeted solutions, and the core competitiveness of Zhongfu Aluminum’s 1060 aluminum sheets.
I. Common Problems & Root Causes
1. Earing Defects During Deep Drawing
When 1060 aluminum sheets are used for deep-drawn parts (such as kitchen pots, food cans), asymmetric protrusions (ears) are prone to form at the edge, affecting subsequent trimming. The main causes are:
Grain orientation deviation: Uneven grain structure of 1060 aluminum sheets leads to inconsistent deformation in different directions during deep drawing.
Improper cold working rate: High cold working rate (exceeding 60%) or inappropriate annealing process leads to the formation of 45° ears.
Uneven thickness: Thickness deviation of aluminum sheets (exceeding ±0.03mm) causes uneven stress distribution during drawing.
2. Surface Fibrous Stripes
After deep drawing or bending, 1060 aluminum sheets produced by cast-rolling process are prone to surface fibrous stripes, which affect the aesthetic appearance of finished products. The core influencing factors are:
Cast-rolling process defects: Uneven distribution of impurities or second phases in the cast-rolled slab forms flow marks during subsequent rolling.
Insufficient annealing: Incomplete recrystallization of the material leads to the retention of rolling texture, which is exposed during forming.
Poor surface polishing: For decorative 1060 aluminum sheets, insufficient polishing leads to the retention of subtle rolling stripes.
3. Corrosion in Humid Outdoor Environments
Although 1060 aluminum sheets have good corrosion resistance, they may suffer from pitting corrosion or oxidation discoloration when used outdoors for a long time (such as decorative panels). The main reasons are:
Lack of surface protection: No anti-corrosion treatment (such as anodizing, powder coating) is performed, and the natural oxide film is easily damaged by rainwater and dust.
Environmental pollution: Acid rain or industrial waste gas in the use environment accelerates surface oxidation.
Edge moisture accumulation: Moisture accumulates at the edge of aluminum sheets, leading to local pitting corrosion.
4. Springback After Bending
1060 aluminum sheets have low elastic modulus (about 70GPa), so significant springback is prone to occur after bending, affecting dimensional accuracy. This is mainly caused by:
Inappropriate temper: Choosing H18 hard temper leads to high elastic recovery rate and large springback.
Unreasonable bending parameters: Small bending radius (less than 3 times the thickness) or high bending speed leads to excessive stress and increased springback.
Lack of compensation measures: No springback allowance is reserved in mold design, resulting in dimensional deviation of bent parts.
5. Work Hardening Affecting Subsequent Processing
1060 aluminum sheets are prone to work hardening during cold processing (stamping, bending), leading to decreased ductility and increased difficulty in subsequent deep drawing. The main factors are:
Excessive processing deformation: Single-step deformation exceeds the material's plastic limit, leading to grain refinement and increased hardness.
Delayed intermediate annealing: Failure to perform intermediate annealing after multiple processing steps leads to cumulative work hardening.
High processing temperature: Friction heat during processing accelerates work hardening.
II. Key Solutions to Mitigate Problems
1. Optimize material production process
Select 1060 aluminum sheets produced by hot-rolling process for deep-drawing scenarios to reduce fibrous stripes; control cold working rate at 30-50% and adopt full annealing (380-420℃, holding time 2-3h) to ensure uniform grain structure.
2. Improve deep drawing and bending processes
For deep drawing, select O-temper 1060 aluminum sheets (elongation ≥22%), optimize mold fillet radius (≥8mm), and use graphite-based lubricants. For bending, choose H12 semi-soft temper, control bending radius (≥3 times the thickness), and reserve 2-5% springback allowance in mold design.
3. Customize surface anti-corrosion treatment
For outdoor decorative applications, adopt anodizing + sealing or powder coating (color retention ≥8 years); for kitchenware, use food-grade anodizing treatment. Conduct salt spray testing (≥800 hours) to ensure anti-corrosion effect.
4. Timely intermediate annealing
For multi-step processing, perform intermediate annealing (350-380℃) after 2-3 processing steps to release residual stress and restore ductility.
III. Reasons for Choosing Zhongfu Aluminum 1060 Aluminum Sheets
1. Stable Quality & Strict Compliance
Our 1060 aluminum sheets comply with GB/T 3880-2012, ASTM B209, and ISO 6361-1:2011 standards, with aluminum content ≥99.7% and uniform grain structure. Each batch undergoes thickness deviation (±0.02mm), elongation, and surface quality testing, qualified rate 99.8%.
2. Scenario-Oriented Customization
For deep-drawn kitchenware, we provide O-temper 1060 aluminum sheets with thickness 0.8-3.0mm; for decorative panels, we offer polished or anodized 1060 sheets with width 1000-2200mm; for heat exchangers, we provide high-thermal-conductivity 1060 aluminum sheets. Support non-standard size cutting and surface treatment customization.
3. Professional Technical Team
Our team with 18 years of aluminum processing experience provides full-process technical support, including mold parameter matching, processing process optimization, and on-site problem solving. We have helped 700+ kitchenware and decoration customers improve product qualification rate by 20-25%.
4. Strong Production Capacity & Supply Chain
Annual production capacity of 1060 series aluminum sheets reaches 180,000 tons, with sufficient inventory of common specifications. 48-hour quick delivery for urgent orders, cooperate with Qingdao, Shanghai ports to provide international logistics solutions, on-time delivery rate 99.5%.
5. Factory-Direct Pricing & Global Reputation
Transparent pricing eliminates intermediate markups, helping customers save 10-18% procurement costs. Products are exported to 45+ countries and regions, serving 220+ distributors and 3,800+ end customers. Hold ISO9001, SGS certifications, customer repurchase rate 90%.
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