3003-O Aluminum vs. 3004-O Aluminum

Dec. 31, 2024

3003-O aluminum alloy is more suitable for applications that require forming and bending, while 3004-O aluminum alloy is more suitable for structural applications that require higher mechanical strength.

Both 3003-O aluminum and 3004-O aluminum are aluminum alloys. They are both supplied in the annealed condition. Their average alloy composition is as high as 99%.

Comparison between 3003-O and 3004-O Aluminum

Conclusion Point	3003-O Aluminum	3004-O Aluminum
Ductility (Forming and Bending)	Better (28% elongation)	Lower (19% elongation)
Strength (Mechanical Properties)	Lower (weaker)	Higher (stronger)
Suitability for Structural Applications	Less suitable	More suitable
Thermal Properties	Slightly less efficient	Slightly better
Electrical Conductivity	Higher conductivity	Lower conductivity
Resilience and Strength-to-Weight	Lower resilience and strength-to-weight	Higher resilience and strength-to-weight

Comparison of Applications between 3003-O and 3004-O Aluminum

3003-O aluminum alloy: It has high ductility and is suitable for applications that require forming and bending, such as some lightweight structures and decorative components. It has slightly higher electrical conductivity, making it suitable for electrical applications.
3004-O aluminum alloy: It performs better in mechanical properties, with higher tensile strength, yield strength, and fatigue strength, making it suitable for applications with heavier structural loads. It also performs better in thermal properties and thermal shock resistance.

3003-O Aluminum Alloy

Characteristics of 3003-O Aluminum Alloy

3003-O aluminum alloy is an aluminum-based alloy that contains a small amount of manganese (Mn). Its main features are high ductility, good formability, and corrosion resistance. Its "O" temper indicates that the alloy is in an annealed state, which means it is fully softened and easy to process and form.

Advantages of 3003-O Aluminum Alloy

Good ductility and processability: The greatest advantage of the 3003-O alloy is its excellent formability, especially suitable for deep drawing, bending, stretching, and other forming processes.
Corrosion resistance: This alloy exhibits strong corrosion resistance, particularly in atmospheric environments.
Electrical conductivity: Due to the high conductivity of aluminum, 3003-O aluminum alloy is suitable for electrical products, especially applications requiring high electrical conductivity, such as electrical conductors and wiring components.

Applications of 3003-O Aluminum Alloy

Lightweight structural components: Such as building decorative parts, appliance housings, sunshades, radiator housings, etc.
Electrical products: Including electrical connectors, cable sheaths, and conductors, etc.
Transportation: Such as certain non-load-bearing structural parts in vehicles and ships.
Corrosion-resistant applications: Such as storage tanks, containers, and cookware, etc.

3004-O Aluminum Alloy

Characteristics of 3004-O Aluminum Alloy

3004-O aluminum alloy is based on the 3003 alloy with small additions of magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn) to improve its mechanical properties. Its "O" temper also indicates an annealed state, meaning the alloy has good processability and flexibility, making it especially suitable for forming and bending applications.

Advantages of 3004-O Aluminum Alloy

Higher strength: Compared to 3003-O alloy, 3004-O alloy has higher tensile strength, yield strength, and fatigue strength, making it suitable for load-bearing applications.
Good thermal properties: 3004-O alloy can withstand high temperature variations in high-temperature environments, exhibiting good thermal shock resistance.
Good formability: Despite its higher strength, it still maintains good processability and can undergo bending, stretching, and deep drawing processes.

Applications of 3004-O Aluminum Alloy

Structural components: Such as building outer frames, door and window frames, and structural parts, etc.
Pressure vessels: Suitable for certain pressure-bearing containers and tanks.
Transportation: Can be used in automotive bodies, truck bodies, and other load-bearing structural components.
Heat exchangers: In terms of thermal properties, 3004-O alloy is widely used in manufacturing radiator and condenser components, among other heat exchanger parts.

3003-O Aluminum vs. 3004-O Aluminum Mechanical Properties

3004-O aluminum typically has superior mechanical properties compared to 3003-O aluminum, with higher Brinell hardness, tensile strength, yield strength, and shear strength.
3003-O aluminum has a better elongation at fracture (28% compared to 19% for 3004-O), indicating better ductility.

Property	3003-O Aluminum	3004-O Aluminum
Brinell Hardness	28	45
Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus, x 10^6 psi	10	10
Elongation at Break, %	28	19
Fatigue Strength, x 10^3 psi	7.3	14
Poisson's Ratio	0.33	0.33
Shear Modulus, x 10^6 psi	3.8	3.8
Shear Strength, x 10^3 psi	11	16
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), x 10^3 psi	16	25
Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof), x 10^3 psi	5.8	9.9

3003-O Aluminum vs. 3004-O Aluminum Thermal Properties

Both alloys have the same latent heat of fusion and the maximum temperature for mechanical use.

Compared to 3003-O, 3004-O aluminum has slightly better thermal conductivity (94 BTU/h-ft-°F) and thermal expansion coefficient (24 µm/m-K).

Property	3003-O Aluminum	3004-O Aluminum
Latent Heat of Fusion, J/g	400	400
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °F	360	360
Melting Completion (Liquidus), °F	1210	1210
Melting Onset (Solidus), °F	1190	1170
Specific Heat Capacity, BTU/lb-°F	0.21	0.21
Thermal Conductivity, BTU/h-ft-°F	100	94
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K	23	24

3003-O Aluminum vs. 3004-O Aluminum Electrical Properties

By volume, 3003-O aluminum has slightly higher electrical conductivity (44% IACS compared to 42% for 3004-O).

Property	3003-O Aluminum	3004-O Aluminum
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Volume, % IACS	44	42
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Weight (Specific), % IACS	140	140

Otherwise Unclassified Properties

Property	3003-O Aluminum	3004-O Aluminum
Base Metal Price, % relative	9.5	9.5
Calomel Potential, mV	-740	-750
Density, lb/ft³	170	170
Embodied Carbon, kg CO2/kg material	8.1	8.3
Embodied Energy, x 10^3 BTU/lb	66	66
Embodied Water, gal/lb	140	140

Common Calculations

Property	3003-O Aluminum	3004-O Aluminum
Resilience: Ultimate (Unit Rupture Work), MJ/m³	24	27
Resilience: Unit (Modulus of Resilience), kJ/m³	11	34
Stiffness to Weight: Axial, points	14	14
Stiffness to Weight: Bending, points	50	50
Strength to Weight: Axial, points	11	18
Strength to Weight: Bending, points	18	25
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s	71	65
Thermal Shock Resistance, points	4.9	7.6

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