3003 Aluminium Wire

What is 3003 aluminium wire?

3003 is the most widely used non-heat-treatable aluminium alloy. About 1.2 % manganese and a little copper raise its strength above 1100 commercially pure aluminium, while ductility and corrosion resistance remain very high.

Because 3003 cannot be strengthened by heat treatment, its strength in wire form is set by cold drawing. Each pass through a drawing die work-hardens the metal, so the same alloy can be supplied dead soft (O temper) for wrapping, twisting and severe cold heading, or hard drawn (H18) for straight, springy wire. Intermediate tempers such as H14 give a balance of stiffness and bendability for mesh and formed parts.

Typical uses take advantage of that formability. Soft 3003 wire is cold-headed into rivets and small parts that need moderate strength and good corrosion resistance, knitted or woven into mesh, used for tie and binding wire, and sold as craft and jewellery wire because it bends easily and anodises in bright colours. Half-hard and hard wire is used for formed clips, light springs, hooks, hangers and wire forms. It also welds and brazes easily, unlike most higher-strength alloys.

3003 chemical composition (wt %)

Aluminum Association limits; EN AW-3003 (AlMn1Cu) in EN 573-3 is aligned. The Chinese grade 3A21 is similar but has no copper addition.

Mechanical properties of 3003 wire by temper

Typical values are shown; minimum and maximum limits for each temper are set by the order specification and appear on the mill certificate. Elongation in fine wire is measured over a short gauge and can differ from sheet values.

3003 is not a conductor alloy; for electrical wire use 1350 or 6101, which have far higher conductivity.

Standards and equivalents

3003 wire sizes and weights

Weight of round 3003 wire in kg per 1000 m = 0.785 × d² × 2.73, with d in mm.

Inspection and certification

For automated wire-forming or heading machines, coil weight, winding pattern and cast (the natural curvature of wire from the coil) affect productivity as much as the alloy itself. State them on the order if your machines need them.

Forming, joining and finishing 3003 wire

Applications of 3003 wire

• Rivets and cold-headed parts: low-strength rivets and small parts where corrosion resistance matters
• Mesh and screens: woven and knitted mesh, filters and guards
• Tie and binding wire: horticulture, packaging and bundling
• Wire forms: clips, hooks, hangers, handles and light springs
• Craft and decorative: jewellery, sculpture, floristry and anodised colour wire
• Heat-exchanger and HVAC accessories: supports and formed parts that match 3003 tube and fin

3003 wire vs 1100, 5052 and 6061 wire

Related products and guides

How to order 3003 wire

1. SpecifyAlloy and temper (for example 3003-H14, 2.0 mm, 25 kg coils), section size and wall thickness, length, quantity and the governing standard (ASTM B211, EN 1301 or JIS H4040). A drawing helps for cut parts.
2. QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerances, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your destination.
3. ProcessMaterial is cut to length, de-burred and, if you ask, bent, machined or finished before packing.
4. DocumentEach shipment carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with chemistry and tensile results, plus the packing list. Third-party inspection can be arranged.
5. ShipBundled with end caps and interleaving or packed in seaworthy wooden cases, then shipped by sea or air.

3003 aluminium (aluminum) wire: frequently asked questions