O
Fully annealed: deep drawing, spinning, severe bends and stretch forming.
General-purpose Al-Mn sheet
3003 Aluminium Sheet & Plate
3003 is the most widely used aluminium-manganese alloy: about 20 % stronger than pure 1100 while keeping excellent formability, weldability and corrosion resistance. Metline supplies 3003 sheet, plate and tread plate in O, H14, H24 and other tempers, cut to size and certified to ASTM B209 or EN 485, to customers worldwide.
- Alloy
- 3003 (Al-1.2Mn-Cu)
- Tempers
- O, H12, H14, H16, H18, H22 – H28
- Thickness
- 0.2 – 100 mm
- Standards
- ASTM B209 · AMS-QQ-A-250/2 · EN 485
What is 3003 aluminium sheet?
3003 adds about 1.2 % manganese and a little copper to commercially pure aluminium. Manganese forms fine particles that strengthen the metal and refine its grain without hurting corrosion resistance much, so 3003 forms almost as easily as 1100 but is noticeably stiffer and stronger in every temper.
It is non-heat-treatable; strength comes from cold work. Half-hard 3003-H14 is the standard stock temper for general sheet metal work, while O temper is used for deep drawing and spinning, and H16 and H18 for flat, dent-resistant parts.
Typical uses include fuel and chemical tanks, heat-exchanger and radiator components, cooking utensils, roofing and siding, trailer and truck panels, ductwork, signs and tread plate. In brazed heat exchangers, 3003 is the usual core alloy beneath an Al-Si braze cladding such as 4343 or 4045.
3003 chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.6 | Impurity |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.7 | Impurity |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.05 | 0.20 | Small addition for strength |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.0 | 1.5 | Main alloying element |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.10 | |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | About 96.8 – 99 % |
Aluminum Association limits per ASTM B209; EN AW-3003 (EN 573-3) is the same alloy.
3003 properties by temper
Typical values below are from published Aluminum Association / ASM data. ASTM B209 gives guaranteed tensile ranges and minimum yield and elongation by thickness.
| Temper | Tensile strength | Yield strength | Elongation (1.6 mm) | Brinell hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3003-O | 110 MPa / 16 ksi | 41 MPa / 6 ksi | 30 % | 28 HB |
| 3003-H12 | 131 MPa / 19 ksi | 124 MPa / 18 ksi | 10 % | 35 HB |
| 3003-H14 | 152 MPa / 22 ksi | 145 MPa / 21 ksi | 8 % | 40 HB |
| 3003-H16 | 179 MPa / 26 ksi | 172 MPa / 25 ksi | 5 % | 47 HB |
| 3003-H18 | 200 MPa / 29 ksi | 186 MPa / 27 ksi | 4 % | 55 HB |
Physical properties (typical)
- Density
- 2.73 g/cm³ (0.099 lb/in³)
- Modulus of elasticity
- 69 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 193 W/m·K (O), 159 W/m·K (H14)
- Electrical conductivity
- about 50 % IACS (O), 41 % IACS (H14)
- Coefficient of thermal expansion
- 23.2 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Melting range
- about 643 – 654 °C
Choosing a 3003 temper
H14
Half hard: the common stock temper for brake-press bending, panels, ducts and tanks.
H24
Half hard but partially annealed: similar strength to H14 with better elongation, preferred for tighter bends and roll forming.
H16 / H18
Hard tempers for flat panels, fins and parts that must resist denting.
H112 plate
As-rolled plate for thicker components, tanks and tread plate.
Tread plate
3003-H22 or H24 diamond and five-bar plate for floors, steps and toolboxes (ASTM B632).
3003 standards and international equivalents
| System | Designation | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum Association / ASTM | 3003, Alclad 3003 | ASTM B209; ASTM B632 (tread plate) |
| Aerospace / federal | 3003 | AMS-QQ-A-250/2 |
| UNS | A93003 | — |
| European (EN) | EN AW-3003 / AlMn1Cu | EN 485-2, EN 573-3 |
| German Werkstoff | 3.0517 | DIN EN 485 |
| Japan (JIS) | A3003P | JIS H4000 |
| China (GB) | 3003; 3A21 (close) | GB/T 3880, GB/T 3190 |
3003 sheet and plate sizes and weights
Supply range
- Thickness
- Sheet 0.2 – 6 mm; plate 6 – 100 mm
- Formats
- 1220 × 2440, 1250 × 2500, 1500 × 3000 mm; 48 × 96, 48 × 120, 48 × 144 in
- Surfaces
- Mill finish, PVC film, stucco embossed, tread (diamond, five-bar), pre-painted
- Processing
- Shearing, slitting, circle cutting, laser and waterjet
3003 weighs about 2.73 kg per m² per millimetre:
| Thickness (mm) | kg per m² | 1220 × 2440 mm (kg) | 1500 × 3000 mm (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.36 | 4.1 | 6.1 |
| 0.8 | 2.18 | 6.5 | 9.8 |
| 1 | 2.73 | 8.1 | 12.3 |
| 1.2 | 3.28 | 9.8 | 14.7 |
| 1.5 | 4.09 | 12.2 | 18.4 |
| 2 | 5.46 | 16.3 | 24.6 |
| 2.5 | 6.83 | 20.3 | 30.7 |
| 3 | 8.19 | 24.4 | 36.9 |
| 4 | 10.9 | 32.5 | 49.1 |
| 5 | 13.7 | 40.6 | 61.4 |
| 6 | 16.4 | 48.8 | 73.7 |
| 8 | 21.8 | 65.0 | 98.3 |
| 10 | 27.3 | 81.3 | 122.9 |
| 12 | 32.8 | 97.5 | 147.4 |
| 16 | 43.7 | 130.0 | 196.6 |
| 20 | 54.6 | 162.5 | 245.7 |
| 25 | 68.2 | 203.2 | 307.1 |
Forming, welding and finishing 3003
Forming
O and H24 allow tight bends (0 – 1 × t); H14 about 1 × t for thin sheet. Excellent for spinning and deep drawing in O temper.
Welding and brazing
Easily welded with ER1100 or ER4043 filler, and readily brazed, which is why 3003 is the standard heat-exchanger core.
Machining
Gummy in soft tempers; use sharp, high-rake tools and lubricant.
Finishing
Accepts paint and coil coatings well. Anodised 3003 has a slightly grey tone and is not ideal for decorative bright finishes; choose 5005 for architectural anodising.
Applications of 3003 sheet and plate
- Tanks and vessels: fuel tanks, chemical and food storage, pressure vessels to ASME SB-209
- Heat transfer: radiator and condenser components, brazing sheet cores, fin stock
- Building: roofing, siding, gutters, ducting and insulation jacketing
- Transport: trailer and truck panels, toolboxes, tread plate floors
- Household: cookware, refrigerator liners, kitchen equipment
- Signs and general fabrication: sign blanks, enclosures and covers
Need more strength with similar corrosion resistance? 3004 and 5052 are the usual next steps. For a cheaper, slightly weaker painted sheet, 3105 is common.
How to order 3003 sheet and plate
- SpecifyTemper, thickness, width, length, quantity, surface (mill, embossed, tread, painted) and standard (ASTM B209, EN 485, JIS H4000).
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerances, certification, packing and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your destination.
- ProcessSheets are cut to size, film-protected if needed and inspected for dimensions and surface.
- DocumentEach delivery carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with the cast analysis and mechanical results for the lot; third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
- ShipSheets are interleaved or film-protected, packed on pallets or in seaworthy wooden cases, and shipped by sea or air to your port or door.
References and standards
- ASTM B209 – Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
- ASTM B632 – Standard Specification for Aluminum-Alloy Rolled Tread Plate
- SAE AMS-QQ-A-250/2 – Aluminum Alloy 3003, Plate and Sheet
- EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets)
3003 aluminium (aluminum) sheet: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 3003-H14 and H24?
Both are half hard with similar tensile strength. H14 is strain-hardened only; H24 is strain-hardened then partially annealed, giving lower yield and better elongation, which helps with tight bends.
Is 3003 stronger than 1100?
Yes, by roughly 20 % in the same temper, with similar formability and slightly lower conductivity.
3003 or 5052: which should I use?
5052 is about twice as strong and better in seawater; 3003 is cheaper and easier to form. Use 5052 for marine and structural parts, 3003 for general sheet metal.
Can 3003 be welded?
Yes, easily, by TIG or MIG with ER1100 or ER4043 filler, and it brazes well.
Is 3003 good for anodising?
It anodises for protection, but the film is slightly grey and less uniform than on 5005 or 6063, so it is not the first choice for decorative anodising.
Do you supply 3003 tread plate?
Yes, in diamond and five-bar patterns in common thicknesses, cut to size.
Need 3003 sheet, plate or tread plate?
Send temper, size, quantity and destination. We will reply with availability and a delivered price.
