1050 aluminium alloy is an aluminium-based alloy in the “commercially pure” wrought family (1000 or 1xxx series). As a wrought alloy, it is not used in castings. Instead, it is usually formed by extrusion or rolling. It is commonly used in the electrical and chemical industries, on account of having high electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and workability. 1050 alloy is also sometimes used for the manufacture of heat sinks, since it has a higher thermal conductivity than other alloys. It has low mechanical strength compared to more significantly alloyed metals. It can be strengthened by cold working, but not by heat treatment.

Sheet, the most widely used form of aluminum, is found in all of the aluminum industry’s major markets. In packaging, sheet is used to manufacture cans and packages. In transportation, aluminum sheet is used to manufacture panels for automobile bodies and tractor trailers. Sheet is used in home appliances and cookware. In building and construction, it is formed into products including siding, gutters, roofing, awnings and carports. Sheet aluminum can be color-anodized to black, gold, red, blue and hundreds of other colors. It can be etched to a matte finish, polished to a sparkling brightness or textured to resemble wood and painted.

“DO NOT attempt to anodize aluminum alloys like 3003 or 3105 if you want the finish to be attractive and consistent. These alloys will show imperfections such as structural streaks, cloudiness, blemishes, and EXTREME color variation. Many people substitute 5052 for 5005 aluminum sheet. While 5052 aluminum sheet can produce acceptable results, it has more imperfections and is more prone to color variation than 5005 alloy aluminum”