3004-H18 Aluminum vs. 3104 Aluminum

Dec. 31, 2024

3004 H18 and 3104 aluminum alloys are both common aluminum materials, widely used in different fields, especially in applications that require good formability, strength, and corrosion resistance. Although they have similar alloy compositions and uses, they have significant differences in some performance metrics.

3004-H18: It has higher tensile strength and fatigue strength, making it suitable for applications that experience repeated stress and heavy loads. Its lower elongation at break and electrical conductivity may limit its performance in applications requiring high ductility or electrical performance.
3104: It is more flexible in terms of ductility, making it suitable for applications with greater deformation, such as packaging materials and structural parts. Its strength range is broader, but fatigue strength is relatively lower, making it suitable for applications that do not require extremely high durability.

The choice of alloy depends on specific needs, such as strength, fatigue resistance, ductility, and thermal/electrical conductivity requirements.

Comparison Table of 3004-H18 Aluminum Alloy and 3104 Aluminum Alloy

Property	3004-H18	3104	Summary
Elongation at Break	1.1%	1.1% - 20%	3004-H18 has poorer ductility, suitable for high-strength applications with low deformation requirements. 3104 has a broader range of ductility, making it suitable for applications requiring greater deformation.
Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS)	Fixed at 43 MPa	25 MPa - 45 MPa	3004-H18 has a fixed, higher strength, suitable for applications requiring high strength. 3104 has a broader strength range, suitable for designs with varying strength requirements.
Fatigue Strength	Fixed at 13 MPa	11 MPa - 18 MPa	3004-H18 has higher fatigue strength, making it suitable for applications subjected to repeated loads. 3104 has lower fatigue strength but a broader range.
Thermal Conductivity	94 W/m·K	91 W/m·K	3004 has slightly higher thermal conductivity, suitable for thermal management or applications requiring better heat conduction. The difference is small and generally does not have a significant impact on most applications.
Electrical Conductivity	Slightly higher	Slightly lower	3004 has slightly higher electrical conductivity, suitable for electrical or electronic applications. For applications with high electrical conductivity requirements, 3004 might be the better choice.

3004-H18 is suitable for applications that require higher tensile strength, higher fatigue strength, and better electrical conductivity, especially in scenarios subject to repeated loads.

3104 offers greater ductility and a more flexible strength range, making it suitable for applications that require more deformation or lower strength requirements, while also providing flexibility to meet different design needs.

3004 H18 and 3104 Aluminum Applications

3004-H18: Typically used for manufacturing more robust and durable aluminum products, suitable for producing items like beverage cans and metal packaging, which require higher strength but minimal deformation, and demand high durability.
3104: Due to its better ductility and broader strength range, it is suitable for applications requiring greater formability and flexible strength, such as automotive parts, building materials, and structural components subjected to light to medium pressure.

3004 H18 and 3104 Aluminum Alloy Composition

The composition of 3004 and 3104 is very similar, with both primarily consisting of aluminum, silicon, and manganese. The trace elements (such as gallium, copper, etc.) may differ slightly, but overall, the difference is minimal.

The differences in composition are small, so both alloys have similar overall chemical properties and corrosion resistance. The choice of alloy mainly depends on specific mechanical performance requirements.

Element	3004-H18 Aluminum	3104 Aluminum
Aluminum (Al), %	95.6 to 98.2	95.1 to 98.4
Copper (Cu), %	0 to 0.25	0.050 to 0.25
Gallium (Ga), %	0	0 to 0.050
Iron (Fe), %	0 to 0.7	0 to 0.8
Magnesium (Mg), %	0.8 to 1.3	0.8 to 1.3
Manganese (Mn), %	1.0 to 1.5	0.8 to 1.4
Silicon (Si), %	0 to 0.3	0 to 0.6
Titanium (Ti), %	0	0 to 0.1
Vanadium (V), %	0	0 to 0.050
Zinc (Zn), %	0 to 0.25	0 to 0.25
Residuals, %	0	0 to 0.15

3004 H18 and 3104 Aluminum Alloy Mechanical Properties

Property	3004-H18 Aluminum	3104 Aluminum
Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus, x 10⁶ psi	10	10
Elongation at Break, %	1.1	1.1 to 20
Fatigue Strength, x 10³ psi	13	11 to 18
Poisson's Ratio	0.33	0.33
Shear Modulus, x 10⁶ psi	3.8	3.8
Shear Strength, x 10³ psi	24	16 to 25
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), x 10³ psi	43	25 to 45
Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof), x 10³ psi	36	9.9 to 40

3004 H18 and 3104 Aluminum Alloy Thermal Properties

Property	3004-H18 Aluminum	3104 Aluminum
Latent Heat of Fusion, J/g	400	400
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °F	360	360
Melting Completion (Liquidus), °F	1210	1200
Melting Onset (Solidus), °F	1170	1120
Specific Heat Capacity, BTU/lb-°F	0.21	0.21
Thermal Conductivity, BTU/h-ft-°F	94	91
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K	24	23

3004 H18 and 3104 Aluminum Alloy Electrical Properties

Property	3004-H18 Aluminum	3104 Aluminum
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Volume, % IACS	42	41
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Weight (Specific), % IACS	140	130

Other Properties

Property	3004-H18 Aluminum	3104 Aluminum
Base Metal Price, % relative	9.5	9.5
Density, lb/ft³	170	170
Embodied Carbon, kg CO₂/kg material	8.3	8.4
Embodied Energy, x 10³ BTU/lb	66	66
Embodied Water, gal/lb	140	140

Common Calculations

Property	3004-H18 Aluminum	3104 Aluminum
Resilience: Ultimate (Unit Rupture Work), MJ/m³	3.2	1.6 to 60
Resilience: Unit (Modulus of Resilience), kJ/m³	450	34 to 540
Stiffness to Weight: Axial, points	14	14
Stiffness to Weight: Bending, points	50	50
Strength to Weight: Axial, points	30	17 to 31
Strength to Weight: Bending, points	36	25 to 37
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s	65	64
Thermal Shock Resistance, points	13	7.6 to 13

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