Aluminium Alloy

Temper Designations

Aluminium Alloys are supplied in a very wide range of

tempers with two principal groups:

Non-heat treatable alloys - Alloys whose

strength/mechanical properties are achieved by cold
working (rolling, extruding, etc.). Sometimes called
work hardening alloys, Temper is denoted by letter H.

Heat treatable alloys - Alloys whose strength/

mechanical properties are achieved by heat treatment
followed by cooling and natural or artificial ageing.
Temper denoted by letter T.

HEAT-TREATABLE ALLOYS
Solution heat treating - The process of heating
aluminium at prescribed temperature for a prescribed
time and then cooling rapidly usually by quenching in
water.

Natural ageing (T1, T2, T3, T4) - The process which

occurs spontaneously at ordinary temperature until the
metal reaches a stable condition. This hardens the
metal after solution heat treatment.

Artificial ageing (T5, T6, T9) - The process of heating

for a prescribed period (2-30 hours) at a prescribed
low temperature (100-200ºC) until the metal reaches a
stable condition. This hardens/increases strength after
solution heat treating quicker than natural ageing and
to a greater level.

NON HEAT-TREATABLE ALLOYS CONTACT

Work hardening (H14) - General term for processes

which increase strength of aluminium and reduce the
ductility, (e.g. rolling, drawing, pressing, stamping).
Sometimes called strain-hardening.
Partial annealing (H24) - A heating process which
reduces strength and increases ductility of aluminium
after work hardening. Sometimes called temper let-
down.
Stabilising (H34) - A low temperature thermal
treatment or heat introduced during manufacture
which stabilises the mechanical properties. This
process usually improves ductility and is only applied
to those alloys which, unless stabilised, gradually age-
soften at room temperature, (i.e. non-heat treatable
range.) The purpose of stabilising is to relieve the
residual internal stress in the metal. Mainly used for
Address: Unit 1, Mauretania Road, Nursling
Southampton SO16 OYS United Kingdom
Tel: 023 8074 2750
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DISCLAIMER
This Data is indicative only and must not be seen as a substitute for the full
specification from which it is drawn. In particular, the mechanical property
requirements vary widely with temper, product and product dimensions. The
information is based on our present knowledge and is given in good faith.
However, no liability will be accepted by the Company is respect of any
action taken by any third party in reliance thereon.
As the products detailed may be used for a wide variety of purposes and as
the Company has no control over their use; the Company specifically
excludes all conditions or warranties expressed or implied by statute or
otherwise as to dimensions, properties and/or fitness for any particular
purpose.

5000 series alloys. Any advice given by the Company to any third party is given for that party’s
assistance only and without liability on the part of the Company. Any
contract between the Company and a customer will be subject to the
Company’s Conditions of Sale. The extent of the Company’s liabilities to any
customer is clearly set out in those Conditions; a copy of which is available
on request.

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Aluminium Alloy
Temper Designations

Non-Heat treatable alloy Full list of temper codes

designations
Code Description
Term Description F As fabricated
H1X Work hardened
H111 see adjacent table
Work hardened and partially
H2X
annealed H112 see adjacent table
Work hardened and stabilized by H115 Armour Plate
H3X
low temperature treatment
H116 Special corrosion resistant temper
H4X Work hardened and stoved
H12 Work hardened by rolling to quarter
HX2 Quarter-hard – degree of working hard, not annealed after rolling
HX4 Half-hard – degree of working Work hardened by rolling to half
H14
Three-quarter hard – degree of hard, not annealed after rolling
HX6
working Work hardened by rolling to three-
HX8 Full-hard – degree of working H16 quarter hard, not annealed after
rolling
Temper codes for plate Work hardened by rolling to fully
H18
hard, not annealed after rolling
Code Description
Work hardened by rolling then
Some work hardening imparted by H24
annealed to half hard
H111 shaping processes but less than
required for H11 temper H26 Work hardened by rolling then
annealed to three-quarter hard
Alloys that have some tempering
from shaping but do not have Work hardened by rolling then
H32 stabilised by low-temperature heat
special control over the amount of
H112 treatment to quarter hard
strain-hardening or thermal
treatment. Some strength limits H321 see adjacent table
apply.
H323 see adjacent table
Strain hardened to an amount less
than required for a controlled H32 H34 see adjacent table
H321
temper. H343 see adjacent table
A version of H32 that has been
specially fabricated to provide O Fully Soft
H323
acceptable resistance to stress
corrosion cracking.
Stabilised - A low temperature
thermal treatment or heat
introduced during manufacture
which stabilises the mechanical
properties and relieves residual
H34
internal stress, plus usually
improves ductility. Only applied to
alloys which, unless stabilised,
gradually age-soften at room
temperature.
A version of H34 that has been
specially fabricated to provide
H343
acceptable resistance to stress
corrosion cracking.
H115 Armour plate.
H116 Special corrosion-resistant temper.

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Aluminium Alloy
Temper Designations

Full list of temper codes continued

Cooled from an elevated Solution heat treated and stress-
T1
temperature and naturally aged relieved by stretching then
Cooled from an elevated T6510 artificially aged with no
T2
temperature and naturally aged straightening after aging -
Solution heat treated, cold worked Equivalent to T4 condition
T3
and naturally aged Solution heat treated and stress-
Solution heat treated then stress relieved by stretching then
T351 relieved by stretching - Equivalent T6511 artificially aged with minor
to T4 condition straightening after aging -
Solution heat treated and stress- Equivalent to T4 condition
T3510 relieved by stretching - Equivalent Solution heat treated then
T7
to T4 condition stabilised
Solution heat treated and stress- Solution heat treated then specially
T3511 relieved by stretching - Equivalent T72 artificially aged for resistance to
to T4 condition stress corrosion
Solution heat treated then cold Solution heat treated then specially
T36 T73 artificially aged for resistance to
worked by a reduction of 6%
Solution heat treated then stress stress corrosion
T361 T7310
relieved by stretching.
Solution heat treated and naturally T7311
T4 aged to a substantially stable Solution heat treatment then
condition T7351 specially artificially aged for
Solution heat treated and naturally resistance to stress corrosion
T42 aged to a substantially stable Solution heat treated, cold worked
T8
condition then artificially aged
Solution heat treated then stress Solution heat treated, cold worked
T81
T451 relieved by stretching - Equivalent then artificially aged
to T4 Solution heat treated then stress
Solution heat treated and stress- T851 relieved by stretching then
T4510 relieved by stretching - Equivalent artificially aged
to T4 condition Solution heat treated, stress-
Solution heat treated and stress- T8510 relieved by stretching then
T4511 relieved by stretching - Equivalent artificially aged
to T4 condition Solution heat treated, stress-
Cooled from an elevated T8511 relieved by stretching then
T5 temperature shaping process and artificially aged
artificially aged T861
Solution heat treated and artificially Solution heat treated, artificially
T6 T9
aged aged and cold worked
Solution heat treated then Cooled from an elevated
T62
artificially aged by the user T10 temperature, artificially aged then
Solution heat treated, stress cold worked
T651 relieved by stretching then
artificially aged

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