What is 3000 series aluminum?
The 3000 series are Al–Mn wrought alloys. They are non-heat-treatable (you increase strength by cold work—H tempers), and they’re loved for corrosion resistance, clean forming, good weldability, and fair cost. Typical product forms are coil, sheet, plate, foil and tube (including tread/chequer plate).
- Strength: low–moderate (below 5xxx/6xxx).
- Formability: excellent for bending, deep-draw and spinning (especially in O/H14).
- Weldability: good with common fillers (ER1100/ER4043—see notes below).
- Finishes: easy to paint or coil-coat; clear anodize gives a soft gray tone.
Which 3000 series grades are most used and why?
| Grade | What’s inside (simplified) | Typical tempers | Where it’s used most |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3003 | ~1.0% Mn | O, H14/H24 | General sheet metal, pans, tanks, HVAC fins, signage, lightweight fabrications |
| 3004 | Mn + a touch of Mg | H34 | Beverage ends and packaging, thin-wall sheet needing a bit more strength than 3003 |
| 3005 | Mn + Mg | H14/H24 | Roofing sheets, curtain walls, gutters, façade panels |
| 3103 | ~1.2% Mn | H14/H24 | Heat-exchanger sheet, cladding, general fabrications |
| 3105 | Mn + Mg | H14/H24 | Painted/coil-coated sheets, siding, closures, nameplates |
| 3A21 | ~1.2% Mn | O, H14 | Deep-drawn parts, tanks, cookware bodies |
(Local standards may list more variants; the six above cover >90% of real-world sheet/coil purchasing.)
Where does 3000 series fit best by industry?
HVAC & heat exchange
Alloys: 3003 (standard), 3003/4343 or 3003/4045 clad brazing sheet.
Common supply: coil/sheet 0.10–1.20 mm for fins, 1.0–3.0 mm for plates; tempers H14/H24; mill or clad; sometimes pre-treated for brazing.
Food service & consumer goods
Alloys: 3003-O/H14 for deep draw & spinning; 3004-H34 when a little more strength is needed.
Common supply: discs & sheets 0.6–3.0 mm; tempers O/H14/H24; mill finish or non-stick/food-grade coatings.
Building & architectural
Alloys: 3003, 3005, 3105 (paint/coil-coat friendly); tread plate in 3003.
Common supply: coil-coated sheet 0.50–1.20 mm, widths 1000–1500 mm; tread/chequer 2.0–4.5 mm; embossed patterns; tempers H14/H24.
Packaging & closures
Alloys: 3004-H34 for beverage ends; 3105-H14/H24 for caps, closures, nameplates.
Common supply: thin strip 0.20–0.40 mm (ends), sheet/strip 0.30–0.80 mm (closures); lacquered or bare; tight gauge tolerance.
Transportation & general fabrication
Alloys: 3003-H14/H24 as the default; 3103 for similar strength with good bendability.
Common supply: sheet 1.5–6.0 mm, tread 2.0–4.5 mm; mill or painted; standard widths 1000–1500 mm.
Electrical & thermal hardware
Alloys: 3003 sheet; 3003 clad if brazing to heat sinks; occasional 3105 for painted backplates.
Common supply: sheet 0.50–3.0 mm (heat spreaders/backplates), thin coil 0.40–1.0 mm for stamped parts; finishes mill, black anodize, or paint.
How does 3000 series process on the shop floor?
Forming
- Excellent stretch-bend, draw and spin.
- Respect minimum bend radii by temper: O > H14 > H24 for tight bends.
Welding
- Good with MIG/TIG.
- Filler picks: ER1100 for matching composition/corrosion; ER4043 when you want a more fluid weld and lower crack risk. (Avoid high-Mg fillers unless design calls for it.)
Joining
- Rivets, clinching, adhesives are common for thin-gauge assemblies.
Finishing
- Paint and coil coat: very good.
- Clear anodize: acceptable decorative gray (not the architectural color control of 5xxx).
Heat treatment
- None (non-heat-treatable). Strength is set by cold work (H tempers).
Availability & size ranges
- Sheet/Coil: ~0.40–6.0 mm, widths 1000–1600 mm common.
- Plate: up to ~25 mm depending on region/stock.
- Tread/Chequer: ~2.0–4.5 mm.
- Tempers: O, H12/H14/H16/H18, H22/H24.
- Surfaces: mill, embossed, painted/coil-coated; brazing clads available on request.
Quick comparison: 3003 vs 5052 vs 6061
- Strength: 6061-T6 ≫ 5052-H32 > 3003-H14.
- Formability: 3003 best for deep draw/spin; 5052 very good; 6061 fair in T tempers (great in O before heat-treat).
- Corrosion: 5052 excellent (marine), 3003 very good general, 6061 good but can pit in chlorides.
- Weldability: all weldable; 5052 easiest for structural sheet welds.
- Cost/stocking: 3003 often the most economical and most widely available in sheet/coil.
3000 series aluminum and die casting
Short answer: 3xxx grades are wrought sheet/coil alloys, not die-casting alloys.
If your part is a 3D geometry that should be cast, choose a die-casting alloy and design for casting. Here’s how to translate intent:
| Wrought intent (why 3xxx was chosen) | Recommended die-cast alloy | Why this pick / notes |
|---|---|---|
| General corrosion resistance + good dimensional stability | A380 / ADC12 | Excellent fluidity, good strength, widely available; good default for housings/brackets |
| Thin walls & complex ribs/fins | A383 / ADC12Z | Even better fluidity than A380 for hard-to-fill sections |
| Better ductility / impact than A380 | A360 | Higher ductility, good corrosion; needs tighter process control |
| Pressure-tight parts (pumps/valves)* | A380 + | Die-cast aluminum is inherently porous; resin impregnation used for leak-tightness |
| Polished/painted cosmetic surfaces | A380 | Gate/overflow strategy and post-finish matter more than alloy |
*For high ductility with heat-treat, A356 exists but it’s typically sand/permanent-mold, not high-speed die casting.
Design tips when switching to casting
- Consolidate sheet weldments into a single casting; add fillets, draft (1–2°), uniform walls, generous radii.
- Target wall 2.0–3.0 mm for small/medium parts (ask us if you must go thinner).
- Define functional requirements (leak-tightness, surface class, coating, machined datums).
- We’ll recommend A380/ADC12 by default unless your part needs the special behaviors above.
FAQs
Is 3003 aluminum bendable without cracking?
Yes—3003 in O/H14 bends very well. Use larger bend radii as hardness increases (e.g., H24/H28).
Can you MIG/TIG weld 3003? Which filler?
Yes. ER1100 for matching composition/corrosion; ER4043 when you want easier puddle control and lower crack sensitivity.
Is 3003 stronger than 5052 or 6061?
No. 5052-H32 and 6061-T6 are stronger. 3003 wins on deep draw, cost, and availability.
What is 3105 used for?
Painted/coil-coated building products—siding, fascia, closures, nameplates—where color and weathering matter.
Does 3003 anodize well for architectural color?
It anodizes to a soft gray. If you need consistent architectural colors, 5xxx (e.g., 5005) is preferred.
Why pick 3004 over 3003?
Similar formability with a little more strength—perfect for beverage ends and thinner-wall packaging sheet.
Can 3000 series be die-cast?
No. If you need a cast geometry, move to A380/ADC12 (or A383/A360) and design for die casting.
Need a complex aluminum part that forms cleanly, looks good, and hits cost?
We’re a custom aluminum die-casting manufacturer. Send your 2D/3D files or a sample. We’ll compare A380/ADC12, A383, A360 for your project, advise draft/wall changes, and deliver cast + machined parts with the finish you need (anodize-look paint, powder coat, polish).
