Aluminum 3103
AA 3103 · UNS A93103 · EN AW-3103, AW 3103 · ISO N3
3103 (EN AW-3103, AlMn1) is a non-heat-treatable Al–Mn wrought alloy, the European workhorse equivalent in character to AA3003 but with slightly higher Mn and no deliberate Cu.
3103 tempers and conditions
3103 is supplied in 16 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 16 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum formability — deep drawing, spinning, tight bends and hydroforming. | 45 | 110 | 30 | 28 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Hot-rolled plate condition for thicker gauges where a specified minimum, not a cold-rolled temper, is required. | 50 | 110 | 20 | 30 HB | 48 % IACS |
As fabricated | As-fabricated 3103 with no special control of thermal or strain-hardening history and no guaranteed mechanical limits; properties depend on the forming route. | 55 | 110 | 25 | 30 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened, eighth hard | Lightly cold-worked 3103 sheet just above annealed strength, retaining high formability for deep-drawn and roll-formed parts. | 75 | 115 | 18 | 32 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Stabilised quarter-hard sheet with better ductility than H12 at the same strength class. | 95 | 130 | 12 | 36 HB | 43 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light work-hardened strip when a bit more stiffness than O is needed but bending is still frequent. | 105 | 130 | 9 | 37 HB | 43 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-eighths hard | Intermediate cold-rolled 3103 between quarter and half hard, balancing moderate strength with useful bending ductility. | 108 | 132 | 10 | 38 HB | 41.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Most common European roofing/cladding and bending temper: H14 strength with markedly better bend behaviour. | 115 | 150 | 9 | 41 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | The standard stock temper: balanced strength and bendability for panels, cladding, ducting and general sheet metal. | 130 | 150 | 7 | 42 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened, five-eighths hard | Cold-worked 3103 between half and three-quarter hard, used where higher panel stiffness and dent resistance are needed with limited bending. | 132 | 152 | 6 | 44 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Stabilised three-quarter hard strip for roll-formed profiles needing some residual ductility. | 140 | 175 | 5 | 47 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Higher-strength strip for lightly formed parts, shutters and profiled sheet. | 155 | 175 | 4 | 48 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, seven-eighths hard | Heavily cold-worked 3103 just below full hard, giving near-maximum strain-hardened strength with minimal remaining ductility. | 155 | 172 | 4 | 50 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Stabilised fully hard thin strip where flatness and high strength are required. | 165 | 195 | 3 | 53 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Maximum work-hardened strength; flat parts, spacers and roll-formed strip with no tight bending. | 180 | 195 | 3 | 54 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Extra-hard thin strip and foil stock, e.g. fin and lamella applications. | 195 | 210 | 2 | 57 HB | 41 % IACS |
What is 3103?
3103 (EN AW-3103, AlMn1) is a non-heat-treatable Al–Mn wrought alloy, the European workhorse equivalent in character to AA3003 but with slightly higher Mn and no deliberate Cu. It is chosen for cold-rolled sheet, strip and roofing/cladding where good formability, excellent weldability and good atmospheric corrosion resistance matter more than strength, and it work-hardens well through the H1x/H2x tempers. Limits: modest strength (max ~200 MPa), poor machinability, no response to solution/age hardening, and clear anodic films come out slightly grey/dull because of the manganese-bearing constituents. 3103 has a density of 2.73 g/cm³ (0.0986 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of aluminum grades. It melts at 645°C (1,193 °F). 3103 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 3103 used for?
- Roofing sheet
- Cladding
- HVAC ducts
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 160 W/m·K (92.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
3103 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
3103 has a density of 2.73 g/cm³ (0.0986 lb/in³), heavier than 61% of aluminum grades. It melts at 645°C (1,193 °F).
Mechanical11
3103 has a yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
3103 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 160 W/m·K (92.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.2 µm/m·K (12.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
3103 conducts electricity at 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3103 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
3103's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability good (65/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 3103 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 3103
Is 3103 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speeds, low feeds and flood coolant or minimum-quantity lubrication to avoid built-up edge; harder H16/H18 tempers cut cleaner.
Can 3103 be welded?
Excellent with GTAW/GMAW or resistance welding, filler ER1100 or ER4043 (ER5356 where more strength is wanted); the HAZ reverts toward O-temper strength.
Can 3103 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability, best in O/H22/H24; use generous bend radii in H16–H18 and roll-form rather than press-brake hard tempers.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 3103. Every 3103 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent65 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better90 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
3103 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mnprincipal strengthening addition | 0.9 – 1.5 | 1.2 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | 0.45 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Ti+Zrcombined limit per EN 573-3 | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each)total others 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Alremainder, ~97.5% | balance |
What surface finishes work on 3103?
Takes protective and hard anodizing well and is a standard pre-painted/coil-coated substrate, but clear anodize looks grey-brown, so bright polish or brush finishes are less attractive than on 5000/6000 series.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 3103 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A93103
- Aluminum Association
- AA3103
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-3103AW 3103AlMn13.0515
- ISO
- N3
How much does 3103 cost?
3103 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
3103 — frequently asked
What is 3103 used for?
3103 is typically used for roofing sheet, cladding and HVAC ducts. In short: european 3003; forming sheet.
What is the yield strength of 3103?
3103 has a typical yield strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) — weaker than 73% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 16 listed tempers.
Is 3103 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speeds, low feeds and flood coolant or minimum-quantity lubrication to avoid built-up edge; harder H16/H18 tempers cut cleaner.
Can 3103 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent with GTAW/GMAW or resistance welding, filler ER1100 or ER4043 (ER5356 where more strength is wanted); the HAZ reverts toward O-temper strength.
What surface finishes work on 3103?
Takes protective and hard anodizing well and is a standard pre-painted/coil-coated substrate, but clear anodize looks grey-brown, so bright polish or brush finishes are less attractive than on 5000/6000 series.
Can 3103 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability, best in O/H22/H24; use generous bend radii in H16–H18 and roll-form rather than press-brake hard tempers.
What is the maximum service temperature of 3103?
3103 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 3103 cost?
3103 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 3103?
Yes — 3103 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
- EN 573-3 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- EN 485-2 — Aluminium sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties — CEN (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN AW-3103 (AlMn1) rolled sheet/strip datasheets — European rolling mills (Hydro/Constellium-type) (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.