What are Aluminium Alloy 1060 Finned Tubes?
As heat exchange technology evolves, engineers keep looking for components that are highly efficient, lightweight, and durable. Aluminium Alloy 1060 Finned Tubes meet these demands by combining a high‑purity aluminium base tube with carefully designed fins. They now play a key role in HVAC&R, refrigeration, petrochemical plants, automotive cooling, and many other fields.
Do you know about 1060 aluminium alloy?
Chemical Composition of 1060 Aluminium
1060 belongs to the industrial pure aluminium series, with an aluminium content of at least 99.6%. The composition is detailed below:
This high purity directly explains many of the alloys useful characteristics.
Physical and Mechanical Properties of 1060 Aluminium
| Property | Typical Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.70 | g/cm³ |
| Melting range | 646 – 657 | °C |
| Thermal conductivity (25°C) | 234 | W/(m·K) |
| Electrical resistivity (20°C) | 2.82×10⁻⁶ | Ω·cm |
| Specific heat capacity | 900 | J/(kg·K) |
| Coefficient of linear expansion (20–100°C) | 23.6×10⁻⁶ | 1/K |
| Tensile strength (annealed O) | 55-95 | MPa |
| Yield strength (annealed O) | ≥15 | MPa |
| Elongation (annealed O) | ≥15 | % |
Why Choose 1060 Aluminium for Finned Tubes?
- Excellent thermal conductivity – 234 W/(m·K) is among the highest of all aluminium alloys. Heat moves quickly from the fin root to the tip, so the extended surface works efficiently.
- Superior corrosion resistance – High‑purity aluminium forms a dense, self‑repairing Al₂O₃ film in air. This gives good resistance to atmospheric conditions, fresh water, weak acids, weak alkalis, and many industrial environments.
- Good workability – With elongation ≥20% and low hardness, the alloy is easy to form into complex fin shapes by winding, extrusion, rolling, etc.
- Significant weight reduction – Density is only 30% of copper. That means much lighter heat exchangers, which is a big advantage in automotive, aerospace, and portable equipment.
- Balanced electrical and thermal performance – Moderate resistivity can be useful in designs where both heat dissipation and electrical insulation matter (e.g., electronic heat sinks).
What Are the Main Types of Aluminium Alloy 1060 Finned Tubes?
Depending on how the fin is attached to the base tube, we can divide 1060 aluminium finned tubes into five common types:
Spiral Wound Finned Tube
An aluminium strip is wound helically around a plain tube. Simple and low‑cost, suitable up to 150°C, but with minor contact resistance.
Extruded Finned Tube
Formed in one step through a die, fins and base tube are continuous. Zero contact resistance, strong and vibration‑resistant.
L, LL, and KLM Type Finned Tubes
L‑type increases contact area; LL adds overlap protection; KLM adds knurling on tube and L‑root for better mechanical bonding and heat transfer.
Perforated L‑Type Finned Tube
Pre‑punched holes on the L‑strip, enhancing turbulence and reducing weight. For improved air‑side coefficient.
Embedded Finned Tube
Fin forced into a helical groove on the tube. Excellent mechanical interlock, lower contact resistance, withstands up to ~250°C.
All three types (L/LL/KLM) work well in outdoor air coolers or mildly corrosive surroundings.
For specific design requirements, the Perforated L‑Type Finned Tube offers an excellent balance of turbulence enhancement and weight reduction. Meanwhile, the Embedded Finned Tube provides superior temperature fluctuation tolerance thanks to its mechanical interlocking design.
Comparison between Copper and Aluminium 1060 Finned Tubes
Copper and 1060 aluminium are the two most popular fin materials. Knowing their strengths and weaknesses helps you choose the right one.
| Parameter | Copper (C12200, annealed) | 1060 Aluminium (annealed) | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 8.94 | 2.70 | Aluminium is 3.3 times lighter |
| Thermal conductivity (W/(m·K)) | ~385 | ~234 | Copper is ~64% better |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 220–250 | 70–130 | Copper is much stronger |
| Yield strength (MPa) | ≈70–100 | ≈28–35 | Copper is 2–3× stronger |
| Elongation (%) | ≥40 | ≥20 | Copper more ductile |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion (10⁻⁶/K) | 16.8 | 23.6 | Aluminium expands/contracts more |
| Max continuous service temp (°C) | 300+ | 150–200 (unprotected) | Copper handles higher heat |
| Atmospheric corrosion rate | Low (tarnishes) | Very low (forms Al₂O₃) | Aluminium wins for corrosion |
| Galvanic corrosion risk | Can corrode when touching Al/CS | Acts as anode with copper | Never let aluminium touch copper directly in wet conditions |
| Material cost (relative, per mass) | ~6–7× | 1 | Aluminium is far cheaper |
| Cost per unit volume (including density) | Copper ~3–4× aluminium | — | Aluminium gives better cost/performance |
For applications where weight and cost dominate, 1060 aluminium is superior. For extreme pressure, temperature (>250°C) or high strength needs, copper remains the reference. Ensure proper isolation when mixing metals.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Each Material?
Copper Finned Tubes – Advantages
- Higher thermal conductivity
- Much higher strength & pressure capability
- Good heat resistance (>300°C)
- Resists creep, lower galvanic potential with steel
Disadvantages
- Heavy (3.3× denser)
- Expensive (6–7× cost per tonne)
- Sensitive to sulphur/ammonia environments
1060 Aluminium Finned Tubes – Advantages
- Lightweight (only 30% weight of copper)
- Low cost (40–60% total savings)
- Excellent atmospheric corrosion
- Not sensitive to ammonia/sulphur, easily recyclable
Limitations
- Lower strength, moderate pressure rating
- Max service temperature ≤150°C (long-term)
- Galvanic risk with copper/steel – requires insulation
- Poor in strong alkalis or high-chloride media
When selecting between the two, be aware that Copper finned tubes excel in severe thermal duty and high-pressure refrigerants, while aluminium is the go‑to for air‑cooled condensers and automotive radiators.
Which Material Should You Choose? Copper or Aluminium 1060?
| Application | Recommended material |
|---|---|
| Household AC / commercial cold storage evaporators, condensers | 1060 aluminium – light, cheap, good corrosion |
| Automotive radiators, charge air coolers | 1060 aluminium – weight reduction critical |
| High‑pressure refrigerant air coolers (CO₂, R410A, etc.) | Copper – higher burst pressure margin |
| Offshore or near‑sea air coolers | Use with caution; copper‑nickel or stainless fins often preferred |
| High‑temperature flue gas waste heat recovery (>250°C) | Copper (or carbon steel) – aluminium unsuitable |
| Air‑cooled condensers in power plants / petrochemical | Aluminium (L‑type/KLM‑type) widely used |
Where Are 1060 Aluminium Finned Tubes Typically Used?
- HVAC&R – Air conditioners, heat pumps, cold store air coolers, dehumidifiers. Almost all use aluminium fins.
- Automotive thermal management – Engine radiators, heater cores, battery cooling plates. Aluminium fins + aluminium brazing is the standard.
- Industrial air coolers – Air‑cooled heat exchangers in petroleum, chemical, and metallurgical industries. Aluminium has over 70% market share.
- General machinery – Compressor intercoolers, hydraulic oil coolers, generator set radiators. Aluminium finned tubes are becoming more and more common.