Overview
Al3003 (AA3003) is the most widely used aluminum alloy in the 3000 series aluminum family. It is primarily alloyed with manganese, providing higher strength than commercially pure aluminum grades such as Al1050, Al1060, and Al1100 while maintaining excellent corrosion resistance, formability, and weldability.
Al3003 offers an ideal balance between strength, workability, and cost, making it one of the most popular aluminum alloys for sheet metal fabrication, heat exchangers, HVAC systems, roofing materials, storage tanks, and general industrial applications.
Compared with Al1100, Al3003 provides approximately 20% higher strength while retaining similar corrosion resistance and fabrication characteristics.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Alloy Designation | AA3003 |
| Alloy Series | 3000 Series |
| Main Alloying Element | Manganese (Mn) |
| Material Type | Non-Heat Treatable Aluminum Alloy |
| Density | 2.73 g/cm³ |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Plate, Coil, Bar, Tube, Foil |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum (Al) | Balance |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.0–1.5 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.05–0.20 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤0.60 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤0.70 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤0.10 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | ≤0.05 |
| Others | ≤0.15 Total |
Mechanical Properties
Typical H14 Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 140–190 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 115–145 MPa |
| Elongation | 8–20% |
| Hardness | 40–55 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 69 GPa |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.73 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 643–654°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 190–195 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity | 40–45% IACS |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 23.2 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 900 J/kg·K |
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Atmospheric Exposure | Excellent |
| Marine Environment | Very Good |
| Salt Spray Environment | Excellent |
| Industrial Environment | Excellent |
| Chemical Environment | Very Good |
Al3003 exhibits excellent corrosion resistance and is widely used in outdoor applications, humid environments, and light chemical service conditions.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| AA (USA) | AA3003 |
| EN (Europe) | EN AW-3003 |
| DIN (Germany) | AlMn1Cu |
| JIS (Japan) | A3003 |
| ISO | AlMn1Cu |
| GB/T (China) | LF21 |
| UNS | A93003 |
Available Tempers
| Temper | Description |
|---|---|
| O | Annealed |
| H12 | Quarter Hard |
| H14 | Half Hard |
| H16 | Three-Quarter Hard |
| H18 | Full Hard |
| H22 | Quarter Hard & Annealed |
| H24 | Half Hard & Annealed |
Typical Applications
HVAC Industry
- Heat Exchangers
- Condenser Coils
- Evaporator Components
- Air Conditioning Systems
Construction Industry
- Roofing Panels
- Wall Cladding
- Decorative Panels
- Rainwater Systems
Chemical Industry
- Storage Tanks
- Chemical Containers
- Piping Systems
Transportation Industry
- Fuel Tanks
- Trailer Panels
- Vehicle Body Components
General Manufacturing
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Cooking Equipment
- Kitchenware
- Signage
- Appliance Components
Machining Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Good |
| CNC Turning | Good |
| Laser Cutting | Excellent |
| Waterjet Cutting | Excellent |
| Sheet Metal Fabrication | Excellent |
| Deep Drawing | Excellent |
| Stamping | Excellent |
| Bending | Excellent |
| Welding | Excellent |
| Anodizing | Good |
Advantages
Excellent Corrosion Resistance
Suitable for outdoor, marine-adjacent, and industrial environments.
Better Strength Than Pure Aluminum
Approximately 20% stronger than Al1100.
Excellent Formability
Ideal for bending, deep drawing, spinning, and stamping.
Excellent Weldability
Compatible with TIG, MIG, and resistance welding processes.
Cost Effective
Provides an excellent balance between performance and affordability.
Versatile Manufacturing Material
Suitable for both prototype and high-volume production.
Limitations
Not Heat Treatable
Strength cannot be significantly increased through heat treatment.
Moderate Machinability
Machining performance is lower than 2011, 6061, and 7075.
Lower Structural Strength
Not suitable for high-load structural applications.
Average Wear Resistance
May require surface finishing in abrasive environments.
Comparison with Other Aluminum Alloys
| Property | Al3003 | Al1100 | Al5052 | Al6061 | Al2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Medium | Low | Medium-High | High | Very High |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Fair |
| Weldability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Poor |
| Formability | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Medium | Fair |
| Machinability | Good | Fair | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Heat Treatable | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cost | Low | Low | Medium | Medium | High |
Comparison with Common Engineering Metals
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Corrosion Resistance | Strength | Formability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al3003 | 2.73 | Excellent | Medium | Excellent |
| Al5052 | 2.68 | Excellent | Medium-High | Good |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 7.93 | Excellent | Medium | Good |
| Carbon Steel 1018 | 7.85 | Poor | Medium | Good |
| Copper C110 | 8.94 | Excellent | Low | Excellent |
| Brass C360 | 8.47 | Good | Medium | Good |
Recommended Surface Finishes
- Clear Anodizing
- Color Anodizing
- Powder Coating
- PVDF Coating
- Polyester Coating
- Spray Painting
- Sandblasting
- Brushing
- Polishing
- Laser Marking
- Silk Screen Printing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Al3003 aluminum?
Al3003 is a manganese-alloyed aluminum alloy offering excellent corrosion resistance, formability, and moderate strength. It is the most widely used alloy in the 3000 series.
What is Al3003 used for?
Common applications include:
- Heat Exchangers
- HVAC Systems
- Roofing Panels
- Storage Tanks
- Kitchen Equipment
- Architectural Panels
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
Is Al3003 stronger than Al1100?
Yes.
| Property | Al3003 | Al1100 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | Up to 190 MPa | Up to 110 MPa |
| Yield Strength | Up to 145 MPa | Up to 50 MPa |
Al3003 provides approximately 20–30% greater strength.
What is the difference between Al3003 and Al5052?
| Property | Al3003 | Al5052 |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Medium | Higher |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Marine Performance | Good | Excellent |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Al3003 is more economical, while Al5052 is preferred for marine and higher-strength applications.
Is Al3003 suitable for CNC machining?
Yes. Al3003 can be machined successfully, although it is primarily selected for sheet metal fabrication rather than precision machining.
Can Al3003 be welded?
Yes. Al3003 offers excellent weldability and is commonly welded using TIG and MIG processes.
Does Al3003 anodize well?
Yes. Al3003 can be anodized and provides attractive decorative finishes.
Is Al3003 suitable for outdoor use?
Yes. Its excellent corrosion resistance makes it suitable for outdoor architectural and industrial applications.
Is Al3003 food-safe?
Yes. Al3003 is commonly used in cookware, food containers, and kitchen equipment.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for Al3003?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Machining
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Laser Cutting
- Bending
- Stamping
- Welding
- Surface Finishing
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Manufacturing
- Mass Production