Have done research and it seems to be conclusive that the following head gaskets will cause brinelling on aluminum heads:
1009 FelPro
1039
17059
8519

So which composition-type head gaskets will not brinell aluminum heads ?

You have to use MLS gaskets if you don't want to touch up the heads each time. I gave up on comp gaskets since it costs more money to surface the heads each time than it does to just buy the good MLS gaskets.

HEMIENVY -- Where and how did you do your research? The 17059 (marine applications) and the 8519 (truck block) have simple flat folded over cylinder armors that should not brinell at all. The other two gaskets -- 1009 and 1039 -- are both "Performance" gaskets which have an internal pre-flattened soft wire ring with a stainless steel folded-over armor. The pre-flattening of the wire ring reduces any brinelling (as compared to earlier designs that were not pre-flattened), however, if it does have any, its actually better for combustion sealing, especially in higher CR applications.

I'm former Fel-Pro applications engineer and am well aware of the designs.

Mitch, that is excellent info, thanks !
All my research is on the internet, where I read of peoples' own firsthand experiences, some from Moparts.
Of course, I don't know much in-depth detail on each anecdote.
But folks have said they used the above-listed gaskets and had brinelling on their heads.

I used the 17059. It did brinell the heads.

the alum the heads are cast from is soft. anything with a steel fire ring, wire or no wire, will mark the alum. the only material i can think of that may not mark the alum is dead soft copper.

Mopar used to sell copper gaskets for the aluminum head Hemis. I am sure for this exact reason

Well, I don't know what to say.
It seems people have had problems.

Maybe the next question is which heads are soft aluminum ?

Still can't ignore the brinelling problems.

Never seen it as a "problem"

Me neither, reuse the same gasket or the same new gasket number with the bore size the same

Depends what you're trying to do. If the motor is going together for 100,000 miles then don't worry about it. On my dyno motors I only use MLS gaskets since that solves the problem. Why are you worried about brinelling anyway? Buy a set of Cometic gaskets and you won't have a problem.

this is one of those "depends" answer to the question. what are you going to do with the engine? is it a high maintenance race engine, or do you want a 5yr-50,000 mile driver?

Not Trick Flow heads

I've been using Cometics with Trick-Flow heads for the last 5 years or so. The heads have been on and off twice in that time. After the first time I had the heads surfaced just enough to remove almost all the brinelling. This last time around I didn't worry about it, just used new gaskets and so far so good. A few runs at the drag strip, several auto-Xs, and 8,000+ street miles