Product Data Sheet – Aluminium Alloys

Aluminium 3003 UNS-A93003

Aluminium alloy 3003 contains about 1.25% manganese and 0.1% copper, which increase the strength above the 1000 series aluminium grades. It is a medium strength alloy, hardenable only by cold work – it is not heat treatable. It has good weldability, formability and corrosion resistance. Typical Applications General sheet metal work requiring greater strength than is provided by 1000 series alloys; profiled building sheet (roofing and siding); insulation panels; holloware; food and chemical handling and storage equipment.

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Chemical Composition

AS/NZS 1734:1997 Aluminium and aluminium alloys – Flat sheet, coiled sheet and plate.

Element	%
Aluminium	Remainder
Manganese	1.0 – 1.5
Copper	0.05 – 0.20
Silicon	0.6 max

Element	%
Iron	0.7 max
Zinc	0.10 max
Others (each)	0.05 max
Others (total)	0.15 max

Specified Minimum Mechanical Properties

AS/NZS 1734:1997 Aluminium and aluminium alloys – Flat sheet, coiled sheet and plate.

Temper	0.2% Proof Stress, MPa min †	Tensile Strength, MPa	Elongation % min ‡
O (annealed)	35	95 – 130	14 – 21
H12	80	115 – 160	3 – 8
H14	115	135 – 180	1 – 8
H16	145	165 – 205	1 – 4
H18	165	185 min	1 – 4

† For information only, proof stress is not specified or measured except by prior agreement

‡ Minimum elongation, actual value depends on thickness – thicker gauges have higher elongation

Key To Tempers

Temper	Condition
O	Annealed (soft)
H1x	Strain hardened only
H3x	Strain hardened and then stabilised (ie. low temperature heat treated to pre-empt natural ageing, by reducing strength and increasing ductility)
Second digit: (x)
8	full hard	4	½ hard
6	¾ hard	2	¼ hard

Description Aluminium 3003 is a general purpose alloy with medium strength and corrosion resistance. It is not recommended for decorative applications: anodising should be for surface protection only. Special qualities are available for porcelain enamelling, deep drawing & spinning; general purpose qualities should not be used for these operations.

Austral Wright Metals can supply this alloy as plate, sheet and strip. See Austral Wright Metals Catalogue for normal stock sizes and tempers.

Equivalent Designations: Germany: DIN AIMnCu; Europe: EN AW-3003; Japan: JIS A3003P; France: NF A 3003 (formerly A-M1).

Corrosion Resistance 3003 has very high resistance to general corrosion, similar to the 1000 series aluminium alloys. 3003 can be used in marine atmospheres and in seawater.

Since aluminium is a reactive metal, it may corrode more quickly when in electrical contact with most other metals. The prediction of galvanic corrosion is complex; please consult Austral Wright Metals for specific advice.

Pressure Vessels AS1210 Pressure Vessels and AS4041 Pressure Piping prequalify the alloy for pressure service for temperatures up to 200°C.

Physical Properties

Property	At	Value	unit
Density	20°C	2,730	kg/m³
Melting Range		643 – 654	°C
Modulus of Elasticity
Tension	20°C	68.9	GPa
Shear	20°C	25	GPa
Poisson’s Ratio	20°C	0.33
Mean Coefficient of Expansion	20°C	21.5	x 10 ^-6 / °C
Thermal Conductivity	25°C	193	W / m. °C
Electrical Resistivity	20°C	0.034	micro-ohm . m
Electrical Conductivity	20°C	50	% IACS

Fabrication Aluminium 3003 is not generally hot worked. It is very readily cold formable in the annealed condition, as it is ductile. Forming loads and tool & press wear are generally less than with carbon steel. For piercing and blanking the punch to die clearance should be about 7% of the thickness per side for the H32 & H34 tempers. Sharp tools are required.

Indicative Minimum Bend Radii

for 90° cold forming for various thickness, t mm

t = thickness

Temper	0.4	0.8	1.6	3.2
O	0 t	0 t	0 t	0 t
H12, H22	0 t	0 t	0 t	0.5 t
H14, H24	0 t	0 t	0 t	1 t
H16, H26	0.5 t	1 t	1 t	1.5 t
H18	1 t	1.5 t	2 t	2.5 t

Welding 3003 is readily welded by the TIG and MIG processes. Commonly used filler alloys are 4043 and 1100. 4043 gives greater weld strength, but if the assembly is to be anodized, 1100 filler metal will give a closer colour match. 3003 may also be gas welded or resistance welded, but the resulting joints are not as strong or as corrosion resistant as the inert gas welded joints. Gas welding could give excessive heat distortion and thinner gauges may burn through. All traces of welding or brazing flux must be removed by scrubbing with hot water upon completion.

Heat Treatment Anneal at 415ºC ± 5ºC, until all parts have reached the annealing temperature. Stress relief is rarely required, but can be carried out at about 220°C. If loss of strength is of concern, stress relief tests should be conducted.

ASTM Product Specifications

Specification	Title
B209	Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Sheet and Plate
B210	Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Drawn Seamless Tubes
B483	Aluminium and Aluminium Alloy Drawn Tubes for General Purpose Applications

Characteristics

Corrosion Resistance	Very Good
Anodising	Very Good *
Formability	Very Good
Machinability	Poor (10%)
Weldability	Very Good
Brazeability	Excellent

* (for surface protection only)

The technical advice and recommendations made in this Product Data Sheet should not be relied or acted upon without conducting your own further investigations, including corrosion exposure tests where needed. Please consult current editions of standards for design properties. Austral Wright Metals assumes no liability in connection with the information in this Product Data Sheet. Austral Wright Metals supplies a comprehensive range of stainless steels, copper alloys, nickel alloys and other high performance metals for challenging service conditions. Our engineers and metallurgists will be pleased to provide further data and applications advice.