EN 1669 is a European test method for evaluating earing tendency in aluminium and aluminium alloy sheet and strip after a controlled deep-drawing operation. It is commonly used to compare forming behavior between material lots, process conditions, or suppliers where drawability and directional properties matter.
If you need help determining whether this method fits your forming or incoming-inspection requirement (or how it pairs with your product specification), talk with our team about your application.
EN 1669: Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Test methods — Earing test for sheet and strip
EN 1669 describes a standardized way to produce a drawn cup from sheet/strip and determine ear height (earing) as a result of directional forming behavior. The method applies to material in nominal thicknesses from 0.08 mm to 6 mm.
Quick Definition
What it is: A deep-drawing cup test used to quantify ear height formed around the rim of a drawn cup made from aluminium sheet or strip.
What it tells you: How strongly the material’s forming response varies with direction in the sheet (a practical indicator tied to planar anisotropy and drawability concerns).
What This Standard Covers
EN 1669 focuses on measurement of ear height after deep drawing under defined conditions. It includes the test principle, test piece requirements, procedure, result interpretation, and test documentation, and it provides recommended punch and die dimensions (and an alternative calculation approach) within its annexes.
Key output: Reported earing/ear height results for the drawn cup produced from the specified sheet/strip sample.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Earing can drive trim scrap, uneven flange heights, and downstream variability in deep-drawn parts. Using a standardized method helps laboratories and production teams compare materials on a like-for-like basis and set acceptance targets where forming consistency is critical.
Where it is used: Material qualification, supplier comparison, process change validation, and routine incoming or production surveillance for formable aluminium sheet/strip.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
EN 1669 is written for aluminium and aluminium alloy sheet and strip intended for forming.
Common application examples: Deep-drawn or drawn-and-ironed style components, general deep-drawn shells/cups, and other sheet-forming products where directional properties can create uneven draw profiles.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
A typical EN 1669 workflow is centered on producing a cup under controlled tooling and draw conditions, then measuring ear height around the rim and calculating/reporting the result per the standard’s method.
Common workflow steps: Sample selection and orientation → blank preparation → deep drawing to form a cup → ear-height measurement → calculation and reporting (including method details and any required documentation items).
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
Because EN 1669 is based on deep drawing and dimensional evaluation, equipment selection is driven by the ability to form a repeatable cup and measure ear geometry consistently.
Common equipment: Deep-drawing press (or suitably configured mechanical/hydraulic test frame), deep-drawing tooling set (punch, die, and related components), blanking/cutting tools for test pieces, and dimensional metrology (height gauge, optical measurement, or equivalent lab metrology suited to the required precision).
If you are specifying a new press, tooling set, or a measurement approach for production-grade repeatability, you can request a detailed quote for an equipment configuration matched to your sample thickness range and throughput needs.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
Designation: EN 1669.
Edition/year citation: EN standards are often cited with a publication year (for example, EN 1669:1996). Test setup details, calculation options, and documentation expectations can depend on the exact cited edition, so match your procedure to the same year/edition referenced in your customer, drawing, or internal specification.
National adoptions: EN 1669 may also appear as a national adoption (for example, with a national prefix) while remaining technically aligned to the EN text.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
EN 1669 is commonly used alongside material/product requirements for aluminium sheet and strip and internal forming-quality criteria that define acceptance targets for earing. When you receive a requirement, confirm whether it references EN 1669 alone or couples it with additional mechanical-property, surface, or delivery-condition standards.
Talk with us about EN 1669 testing setups
If you are aligning an internal forming test to a customer requirement, or you need help mapping EN 1669 to a practical lab procedure and equipment package, contact our team with your material form, thickness range, and reporting needs.