Aluminum 3003 · temper
Aluminum 3003-H18
Properties of the H18 condition, compared with the other 3003 tempers.
Maximum strain-hardened strength; use for flat stock, springy clips and fin stock where forming is minimal.
What is 3003-H18?
3003-H18 is 3003 in the H18 temper — maximum strain-hardened strength; use for flat stock, springy clips and fin stock where forming is minimal. 3003-H18 has a yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi). 3003-H18 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
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
3003-H18 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3003-H18 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 3003 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
3003-H18 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-H18 has a yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 68.9 GPa (9.99 Msi).
Thermal6
3003-H18 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 154 W/m·K (89 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 68% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.2 µm/m·K (12.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
3003-H18 conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 72% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3003-H18 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
3003-H18's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 58% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 3003 tempers and conditions
3003 is also supplied in 12 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 3003 overview.
- H18Maximum strain-hardened strength; use for flat stock, springy clips and fin stock where forming is minimal.185 MPa yield · 55 HB
- H16For flat or lightly formed parts needing higher strength and dent resistance than H14.170 MPa yield · 47 HB
- H14Default stocked sheet/plate temper: best balance of strength, bendability and price for panels, ducts, trays and tanks.145 MPa yield · 40 HB
- H12Light cold work for parts that still need moderate bending but more stiffness/strength than O.125 MPa yield · 35 HB
- H1133003 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 MPa yield · 30 HB
- OPick for maximum drawability, spinning and severe bending, or after welding/brazing.42 MPa yield · 28 HB
Working with 3003-H18
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 4xxx-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-H18 — frequently asked
What is 3003-H18 used for?
3003-H18 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-H18?
3003-H18 has a typical yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — weaker than 53% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is 3003-H18 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 58% 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-H18 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). 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 4xxx-clad heat exchangers.
What surface finishes work on 3003-H18?
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-H18 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-H18?
3003-H18 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 3003-H18?
Yes — 3003-H18 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.