Aluminum 3104 · temper
Aluminum 3104-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other 3104 tempers.
Pick for maximum drawability and deep-forming before a later work-hardening step.
What is 3104-O?
3104-O is 3104 in the O temper — pick for maximum drawability and deep-forming before a later work-hardening step. 3104-O has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 3104-O 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 — 92/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 24%, better than 92% of aluminum grades
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 42 % IACS, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 79% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 92% of aluminum grades
3104-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3104-O — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 3104 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
3104-O 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-O has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
3104-O is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 163 W/m·K (94.2 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-O 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 3104-O 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-O's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 3104 tempers and conditions
3104 is also supplied in 20 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 3104 overview.
- H19The standard beverage-can body-stock temper: highest as-rolled strength with just enough ductility for draw-and-wall-iron.275 MPa yield · 82 HB
- H29Extra-hard partially annealed 3104 strip, close to H19 strength but with slightly better residual ductility for high-speed can-body and end stock.260 MPa yield · 80 HB
- H22Quarter-hard 3104 sheet cold rolled then back-annealed for a stable, more ductile temper used in deep-drawn bodies and formed closures.170 MPa yield · 58 HB
- OPick for maximum drawability and deep-forming before a later work-hardening step.70 MPa yield · 45 HB
Working with 3104-O
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.
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.
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 | — |
3104-O — frequently asked
What is 3104-O used for?
3104-O 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-O?
3104-O has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 175 MPa (25.4 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 21 listed tempers.
Is 3104-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 96% 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-O 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-O?
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-O 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-O?
3104-O is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 3104-O?
Yes — 3104-O is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.