Aluminum 3004-H12
Temper
AA 3004 · UNS A93004 · EN AW-3004, AW 3004
H12 = strain hardened, quarter hard
Light cold work when moderate stiffening is wanted with most of the annealed formability retained.
Values for the H12 condition
Other 3004 tempers and conditions
3004 is listed in 15 conditions; see the grade overview at 3004.
Compare all 15 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum ductility: severe deep drawing, spinning, roll forming and multi-stage stamping. | 70 | 180 | 22 | 45 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Hot-worked plate/extruded 3004 supplied as-fabricated with guaranteed minimum strength, only slightly above annealed level. | 85 | 185 | 16 | 46 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Cold-rolled then partially annealed 3004 sheet at quarter-hard strength, mechanically close to H32 but with better ductility retention. | 170 | 220 | 12 | 52 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Stabilized quarter-hard sheet; best balance of formability and strength for roofing, siding and drawn housings. | 170 | 215 | 17 | 52 HB | 42 % IACS |
H12This page Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light cold work when moderate stiffening is wanted with most of the annealed formability retained. | 180 | 215 | 10 | 55 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | The most commonly stocked 3004 temper: half-hard stabilized sheet for pressure-tight drawn parts, drums, panels and utensils that still need bending and stretch forming. | 200 | 240 | 12 | 63 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard partially annealed 3004 sheet — the common general-purpose strength/formability compromise for roofing, siding and can ends. | 200 | 240 | 9 | 63 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | General-purpose half-hard cold-rolled sheet/strip where higher yield than H34 is wanted and bend radii can stay generous. | 215 | 245 | 7 | 66 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Three-quarter-hard partially annealed 3004 sheet/strip with high strength and limited residual formability. | 225 | 260 | 6 | 70 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, three-quarter hard | Higher-strength stabilized sheet for lightly formed pressure/structural panels and closure stock. | 230 | 260 | 9 | 70 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Choose for stiff flat panels and shallow-formed parts needing higher strength than H14. | 240 | 265 | 5 | 72 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Full-hard partially annealed 3004 strip at maximum strain-hardened strength with minimal ductility, used for can bodies and shutter/fin stock. | 250 | 285 | 5 | 77 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Maximum-strength stabilized 3004 sheet/strip for flat panels, closures and shells where only minimal forming follows. | 250 | 285 | 6 | 77 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Full-hard strip for maximum strength/springiness in flat or simply bent parts. | 270 | 290 | 4 | 78 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Heavily cold-rolled coil made for drawn-and-ironed beverage can bodies and rigid containers; almost no residual formability for bending. | 280 | 295 | 3 | 80 HB | 42 % IACS |
What is 3004-H12?
3004-H12 is 3004 in the H12 temper — light cold work when moderate stiffening is wanted with most of the annealed formability retained. 3004-H12 has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 54% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 3004-H12 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 629°C (1,164 °F).
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 162 W/m·K (93.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
3004-H12 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3004-H12; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 3004 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
3004-H12 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 629°C (1,164 °F).
Mechanical11
3004-H12 has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 54% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
3004-H12 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 162 W/m·K (93.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.2 µm/m·K (12.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
3004-H12 conducts electricity at 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3004-H12 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
3004-H12's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 68% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability very good (75/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 3004-H12
Is 3004 easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/H32 tempers — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous lubrication; harder H36/H38/H19 tempers cut and part off much more cleanly.
Can 3004 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded with 5356 or 4043 filler (5356 for higher joint strength); the HAZ reverts toward O temper so design joints for annealed properties.
Can 3004 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability — O and H32 take deep draws and spinning; stabilized H3x tempers resist age-softening and Lüders marking, and H19 is engineered specifically for draw-and-iron canmaking.
What surface finishes work on 3004?
Takes clear/hard anodising, chromate or chrome-free conversion coatings, coil-coated paint and lithographic lacquers well; bright decorative anodising is only fair because Mn gives a grey cast, so paint or coil coating is preferred for cosmetic panels.
3004 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.5 | 1.2 |
| Mg | 0.8 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | ≥ 96.3 (balance) | — |
3004-H12 — frequently asked
What is 3004-H12 used for?
3004-H12 is typically used for beverage can bodies, roofing and siding sheet, chemical drums, lighting reflectors, cooking utensils and deep-drawn and spun housings. In short: can body alloy; higher strength.
What is the yield strength of 3004-H12?
3004-H12 has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) — weaker than 54% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 15 listed tempers.
Is 3004-H12 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 68% of aluminum grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/H32 tempers — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous lubrication; harder H36/H38/H19 tempers cut and part off much more cleanly.
Can 3004-H12 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded with 5356 or 4043 filler (5356 for higher joint strength); the HAZ reverts toward O temper so design joints for annealed properties.
What surface finishes work on 3004-H12?
Takes clear/hard anodising, chromate or chrome-free conversion coatings, coil-coated paint and lithographic lacquers well; bright decorative anodising is only fair because Mn gives a grey cast, so paint or coil coating is preferred for cosmetic panels.
Can 3004-H12 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability — O and H32 take deep draws and spinning; stabilized H3x tempers resist age-softening and Lüders marking, and H19 is engineered specifically for draw-and-iron canmaking.
What is the maximum service temperature of 3004-H12?
3004-H12 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 3004-H12?
Yes — 3004-H12 is available for sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 485-2 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: sheet, strip and plate, mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Can body stock / 3004 sheet & coil datasheets — Constellium / Novelis (2022)
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.