Aluminum 3003-F (As fabricated)
Temper
AA 3003 · UNS A93003 · EN AlMn1Cu, AW-3003 · JIS A3003, A3003P · GB 3A21
Mill product taken as-produced (hot-rolled plate, some extrusions) where properties are not certified.
Values for the F condition
Other 3003 tempers and conditions
3003 is listed in 13 conditions; see the grade overview at 3003.
Compare all 13 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum drawability, spinning and severe bending, or after welding/brazing. | 42 | 110 | 35 | 28 HB | 50 % IACS |
FThis page As fabricated | Mill product taken as-produced (hot-rolled plate, some extrusions) where properties are not certified. | 50 | 115 | 28 | 29 HB | 45 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Standard temper for 3003 extrusions, thick plate and drawn tube where hot-worked strength is enough. | 55 | 120 | 25 | 30 HB | 45 % IACS |
Hot-worked plate with strain hardening from fabrication | 3003 plate/sheet supplied in the hot-worked H113 condition, where the modest strain hardening imparted during hot rolling gives strength slightly above annealed O while retaining near-annealed formability, conductivity and corrosion behaviour. | 60 | 120 | 20 | 30 HB | 46 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Same strength class as H12 but with restored ductility for stamping and roll-forming of coil stock. | 115 | 140 | 14 | 35 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light cold work for parts that still need moderate bending but more stiffness/strength than O. | 125 | 130 | 12 | 35 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | H14-level strength with better bend performance; common for roofing coil, gutters and formed housings. | 130 | 160 | 12 | 40 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Default stocked sheet/plate temper: best balance of strength, bendability and price for panels, ducts, trays and tanks. | 145 | 150 | 10 | 40 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Higher-strength coil temper that still tolerates moderate roll-forming. | 160 | 185 | 8 | 47 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | For flat or lightly formed parts needing higher strength and dent resistance than H14. | 170 | 180 | 6 | 47 HB | 40 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Full-hard coil/strip with slightly better ductility than H18; used for fin and shutter stock. | 180 | 200 | 5 | 55 HB | 40 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Maximum strain-hardened strength; use for flat stock, springy clips and fin stock where forming is minimal. | 185 | 200 | 4 | 55 HB | 40 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Thin strip and foil rolled harder than H18 where flatness and strength matter and no forming is done. | 200 | 215 | 3 | 58 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is 3003-F?
3003-F is 3003 in the F temper — mill product taken as-produced (hot-rolled plate, some extrusions) where properties are not certified. 3003-F has a yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — weaker than 95% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi). 3003-F has a density of 2.73 g/cm³ (0.0986 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of aluminum grades. It melts at 643°C (1,189 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 50 MPa (7.25 ksi), worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 32/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
3003-F properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3003-F; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 3003 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
3003-F has a density of 2.73 g/cm³ (0.0986 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of aluminum grades. It melts at 643°C (1,189 °F).
Mechanical10
3003-F has a yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — weaker than 95% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
3003-F is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.2 µm/m·K (12.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
3003-F conducts electricity at 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3003-F takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
3003-F's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 3003-F
Is 3003 easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high surface speed, generous rake and flood lubricant; H16/H18 chip better than O.
Can 3003 be welded?
Excellent with GTAW/GMAW/resistance welding using 1100, 4043 or 4047 filler; the HAZ reverts toward O strength, and 3003 is the classic brazing core alloy for 4000-series-clad heat exchangers.
Can 3003 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability: O and H22/H24 for deep drawing and spinning, H14 for general bending (≈1t bend radius), H18 only for gentle bends; anneal at 415 °C to reset work hardening.
What surface finishes work on 3003?
Takes paint, powder coat and conversion coating very well; anodizing is protective but clear coats look grey-brown from Mn constituents, so specify color anodize or paint for appearance parts.
3003 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| SiSi+Fe controlled in some specs | ≤ 0.6 | 0.25 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Cusmall Cu addition raises strength | 0.05 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Mnprimary strengthening element | 1 – 1.5 | 1.2 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Alremainder, ~97 % | balance | — |
3003-F — frequently asked
What is 3003-F used for?
3003-F is typically used for sheet metal enclosures and panels, brazed heat-exchanger fins and tubes, chemical process equipment, roofing and siding sheet, cooking utensils and holloware and food equipment panels and trays. In short: most affordable; easy bending.
What is the yield strength of 3003-F?
3003-F has a typical yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) and a tensile strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) — weaker than 95% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is 3003-F easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades). Machines easily but gummy — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high surface speed, generous rake and flood lubricant; H16/H18 chip better than O.
Can 3003-F be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent with GTAW/GMAW/resistance welding using 1100, 4043 or 4047 filler; the HAZ reverts toward O strength, and 3003 is the classic brazing core alloy for 4000-series-clad heat exchangers.
What surface finishes work on 3003-F?
Takes paint, powder coat and conversion coating very well; anodizing is protective but clear coats look grey-brown from Mn constituents, so specify color anodize or paint for appearance parts.
Can 3003-F be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability: O and H22/H24 for deep drawing and spinning, H14 for general bending (≈1t bend radius), H18 only for gentle bends; anneal at 415 °C to reset work hardening.
What is the maximum service temperature of 3003-F?
3003-F is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 3003-F?
Yes — 3003-F is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 — EN AW-3003 (AlMn1Cu) — CEN (2019)
- MMPDS-style typical property tables for 3003 sheet tempers — Battelle / FAA (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.