A 4×8 sheet of 1/8 inch aluminum refers to a flat-rolled aluminum sheet measuring 4 feet in width and 8 feet in length, with a thickness of 0.125 inches (3.175 mm). People in the aluminum industry know that the price of aluminum sheets changes every day, depending on the price of aluminum ingots and the processing fees of aluminum plants. So, how are aluminum plates of different thicknesses and alloys priced, and how should we choose when buying aluminum plates in the market?
Aluminum Ingot Price
Aluminum ingots have a great impact on the price of aluminum sheets. The change in the price of aluminum ingots directly determines the current price of aluminum plates. As an important raw material for the production of aluminum sheets, the price of aluminum ingots is constantly changing in the market, and the price is different every day, causing the production cost of manufacturers to change with the price of aluminum ingots.
The final pricing of aluminum sheet manufacturers is determined by the method of “aluminum ingot price + processing fee,” so the cost of aluminum plates produced in different batches is also different.
Processes And Alloys
There are 8 series and hundreds of grades of aluminum alloys, ranging from less than 1mm thin to tens of centimeters thick. The thicker the thickness, the higher the price. At the same time, different production processes also determine the cost. For example, hot rolling is more expensive than cold rolling. Moreover, among alloy grades, 6061 aluminum alloy is more expensive than 1060, and the price of 6061 aluminum plate is 2-3 times more expensive than 1060. The following are the processing costs of different series of aluminum sheets:
Aロイ | Processing Fee |
1060 | 1600 RMB |
3003 | 1900 RMB |
5052 | 2800 RMB |
5083 | 3200 RMB |
6061 | 4000 RMB |
8011 | 1500 RMB |
Generally speaking, the thicker the aluminum sheet, the larger the cross-sectional area, the better the mechanical and chemical properties, and the higher its production cost.
Other Costs
Although the costs of personnel, storage, and transportation have little impact on the price of aluminum plates, in the long run, the increasing costs will also cause the price of aluminum plates to rise. In addition, many customers will require secondary cutting and processing of aluminum plates, such as polishing, anodizing, color coating, embossing, etc.
Aluminum Sheet Price Calculation
- Price of one ton of aluminum plate: aluminum ingot price + processing fee
- Price of one square meter of aluminum plate: weight of one square meter of aluminum plate x price of aluminum plate
Note that when calculating the price of aluminum plates, you must pay attention to the unit conversion. The unit of thickness should be mm, the unit of width should be m, the unit of length should be m, and the density is 2.71 grams per cubic centimeter.
4×8 Aluminum Sheet Pricing (2023–2024)
As of Q3 2023, the average price for a 4×8 sheet of 1/8 inch aluminum (3003-H14 alloy) ranges between 280–380 per sheet in the U.S. market, reflecting a 6–8% year-on-year increase. This uptick is attributed to rising energy costs in smelting and sustained demand from renewable energy projects (e.g., solar panel framing). However, recycling initiatives and increased production in China have mitigated sharper price hikes. Industry analysts project moderate stabilization in 2024, contingent on global economic recovery and reduced trade tariffs.