Aluminum 3104
AA 3104 · UNS A93104 · EN AW-3104, AW 3104
3104 is an Al-Mn-Mg work-hardening alloy (essentially 3004 with tightened Cu/Fe/Si and residual-element limits) developed as the standard beverage-can body stock.
3104 tempers and conditions
3104 is supplied in 21 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 21 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum drawability and deep-forming before a later work-hardening step. | 70 | 175 | 24 | 45 HB | 42 % IACS |
As fabricated | Mill intermediate product with no guaranteed mechanical properties; input to cold rolling. | 85 | 185 | 22 | 45 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light cold work when moderate stiffening is needed but forming must remain easy. | 160 | 205 | 14 | 52 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened, special quarter-hard variant | Registered special-property variant of H12 with tighter mechanical windows for specific converting lines. | 160 | 205 | 12 | 55 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, special variant | Back-annealed special temper used where earing and bend performance are tightly specified. | 165 | 215 | 14 | 58 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Quarter-hard 3104 sheet cold rolled then back-annealed for a stable, more ductile temper used in deep-drawn bodies and formed closures. | 170 | 205 | 10 | 58 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, quarter hard | Stabilized temper for Mg-bearing coil that must resist age-softening in storage or service. | 170 | 215 | 14 | 52 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Same strength class as H14 but with better ductility and bendability from the back-anneal. | 185 | 235 | 12 | 62 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | General-purpose semi-hard sheet balance of strength and bendability. | 195 | 235 | 10 | 63 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, half hard | Most common general-sheet stabilized temper: good strength with usable bend radii. | 200 | 240 | 10 | 63 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Higher-strength back-annealed coil for formed closures and shells. | 220 | 260 | 8 | 69 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Higher strength coil for shallow forming and closure/shell stock. | 230 | 260 | 6 | 70 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, three-quarter hard | Stiffer stabilized coil for lightly formed panels and container components. | 230 | 260 | 7 | 70 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, full hard | Full-hard back-annealed variant when H18 strength with a little more elongation is required. | 245 | 285 | 6 | 76 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Full-hard coil where flat strength matters more than bend performance. | 250 | 285 | 5 | 77 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, full hard | Maximum stabilized strength for flat or minimally formed parts. | 250 | 285 | 5 | 77 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard, coated/lacquered product | Full-hard coil supplied pre-coated (internal lacquer/external base coat) for can and closure lines. | 250 | 285 | 5 | 77 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, extra hard | Extra-hard partially annealed 3104 strip, close to H19 strength but with slightly better residual ductility for high-speed can-body and end stock. | 260 | 285 | 4 | 80 HB | 40 % IACS |
Strain hardened and stabilized, extra hard | Stabilized counterpart to H19 where long-term property stability of the Mg-bearing coil is required. | 270 | 295 | 3 | 82 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard, coated/lacquered product | Pre-coated extra-hard can stock; the coated equivalent of H19. | 272 | 295 | 3 | 82 HB | 41 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | The standard beverage-can body-stock temper: highest as-rolled strength with just enough ductility for draw-and-wall-iron. | 275 | 295 | 3 | 82 HB | 41 % IACS |
What is 3104?
3104 is an Al-Mn-Mg work-hardening alloy (essentially 3004 with tightened Cu/Fe/Si and residual-element limits) developed as the standard beverage-can body stock. It combines high strain-hardened strength, deep-drawing/wall-ironing formability and good corrosion resistance at low cost, and is almost entirely produced as thin coil in H19-type tempers. It is non-heat-treatable, loses strength above ~150 °C (bake-hardening/curing cycles must be controlled), and is gummy and abrasive-free but poor in machinability; anodized finishes are grey-toned rather than bright. 3104 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). 3104 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 3104 used for?
- Beverage can bodies
- Can cap and closure stock
- Draw-and-ironed containers
- Aerosol containers
- Coil-coated container stock
- Deep-drawn housings
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 41 % IACS, better than 78% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 162 W/m·K (93.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 77% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 3%, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
3104 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
3104 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
3104 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 3% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
3104 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °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
3104 conducts electricity at 41 % IACS, better than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3104 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability8
3104's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. 3104 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 3104
Is 3104 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, high speed and flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge; chip breaking is poor.
Can 3104 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 or 5356 filler and resistance-welded; the strain-hardened HAZ softens back toward O-temper strength.
Can 3104 be formed, bent or molded?
In O/H2x tempers it deep-draws superbly; H19 coil is engineered for draw-and-wall-ironing of can bodies with controlled earing (<3 %) — avoid tight bends across the rolling direction.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 3104. Every 3104 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better85 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
3104 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 | ≤ 0.6 | 0.25 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.8 | 0.45 |
| Cu | 0.05 – 0.25 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.4 | 1 |
| Mg | 0.8 – 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Ga | ≤ 0.05 | |
| V | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 3104?
Normally lacquered or coil-coated after chromate-free conversion pretreatment; anodizes protectively but with a grey/brown tone, and it takes paints and printing inks well.
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 3104 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A93104
- Aluminum Association
- AA3104
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-3104AW 3104AlMn1Mg1Cu
How much does 3104 cost?
3104 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
3104 — frequently asked
What is 3104 used for?
3104 is typically used for beverage can bodies, can cap and closure stock, draw-and-ironed containers, aerosol containers, coil-coated container stock and deep-drawn housings. In short: can body sheet; beverage industry.
What is the yield strength of 3104?
3104 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 21 listed tempers.
Is 3104 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp polished-flute carbide, high rake, high speed and flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge; chip breaking is poor.
Can 3104 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW welded with 4043 or 5356 filler and resistance-welded; the strain-hardened HAZ softens back toward O-temper strength.
What surface finishes work on 3104?
Normally lacquered or coil-coated after chromate-free conversion pretreatment; anodizes protectively but with a grey/brown tone, and it takes paints and printing inks well.
Can 3104 be formed, bent or molded?
In O/H2x tempers it deep-draws superbly; H19 coil is engineered for draw-and-wall-ironing of can bodies with controlled earing (<3 %) — avoid tight bends across the rolling direction.
What is the maximum service temperature of 3104?
3104 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 3104 cost?
3104 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 90% 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 3104?
Yes — 3104 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)
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- ASTM B209 / B209M Standard Specification for Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (3004/3104 data) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Beverage can body stock (3104-H19) coil datasheets — Novelis / Constellium (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.