3003 H18 aluminum alloy is suitable for applications that require better formability, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance, while 3004-H18 aluminum alloy is more suitable for structural applications that demand higher strength, hardness, and shear resistance.
Both 3003 H18 and 3004-H18 aluminum alloys are common grades in the aluminum alloy family, and they undergo the same H18 tempering process, which means they have similar hardness and strength after treatment. Although both aluminum alloys have a purity of up to 99%, they differ in some key performance aspects.
Below is a comparison table between 3003-H18 aluminum alloy and 3004-H18 aluminum alloy:
| Performance Parameters | 3003-H18 Aluminum Alloy | 3004-H18 Aluminum Alloy |
| Tensile Strength | Lower, suitable for light-load applications | Higher, suitable for structural applications that require high strength |
| Shear Strength | Lower | Higher, suitable for applications subject to shear loads |
| Elongation at Fracture | Higher, 4.5%, offering better formability and toughness | Lower, 1.1%, prone to brittle fracture |
| Hardness | Lower, suitable for lightweight, low-strength applications | Higher, due to the higher magnesium content, offering better resistance to deformation and scratching |
| Thermal Conductivity | Higher, suitable for applications requiring heat dissipation or conduction | Lower, unsuitable for applications that require significant heat conduction |
3003-H18 and 3004-H18 Aluminum Alloy Composition and Key Composition Differences
3003-H18 Aluminum Alloy: Primarily composed of aluminum with a small amount of manganese (about 1-1.5% manganese), which gives it good formability and relatively good corrosion resistance. The purity of 3003 aluminum alloy is high, almost reaching 99%.
3004-H18 Aluminum Alloy: Based on 3003 aluminum alloy, it has added more alloying elements, especially magnesium and manganese. This makes 3004 aluminum alloy stronger and harder than 3003 aluminum alloy, suitable for applications that require higher strength.
| Element | 3003-H18 Aluminum | 3004-H18 Aluminum |
| Aluminum (Al) | 96.8–99% | 95.6–98.2% |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.050–0.2% | 0–0.25% |
| Iron (Fe) | 0–0.7% | 0–0.7% |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0% | 0.8–1.3% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.0–1.5% | 1.0–1.5% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0–0.6% | 0–0.3% |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0–0.1% | 0–0.25% |
| Residuals | 0% | 0–0.15% |
3003-H18 and 3004-H18 Aluminum Hardness
3004-H18 aluminum alloy has higher hardness and strength compared to 3003-H18 aluminum alloy due to its magnesium content. The increased hardness makes 3004 aluminum alloy perform better in applications requiring resistance to deformation and scratching.
3003-H18 and 3004-H18 Aluminum Corrosion Resistance
Both aluminum alloys exhibit excellent corrosion resistance, especially when exposed to air or water. 3003 aluminum alloy, due to its high purity and the presence of manganese, offers good oxidation and corrosion resistance. 3004 aluminum alloy, with the addition of magnesium, also has strong corrosion resistance, but it may be slightly less resistant in certain extreme corrosive environments compared to 3003 aluminum alloy.
3003-H18 and 3004-H18 Aluminum Workability
3003-H18 aluminum alloy is easier to process due to its better formability and plasticity, making it suitable for large-scale forming operations (such as deep drawing, stretching, etc.). It is commonly used for parts that require significant deformation.
Although 3004-H18 aluminum alloy has higher hardness, its workability is relatively more challenging due to the increased magnesium content. Therefore, 3004 aluminum alloy is more often used for parts that require higher strength and smaller deformations.
3003-H18 and 3004-H18 Aluminum Applications
3003-H18 Aluminum Alloy Applications
- Heat exchangers: Due to its high thermal conductivity, 3003 aluminum alloy is commonly used to make radiators, heat exchangers, and other heat-conducting applications.
- Household appliances and kitchenware: Such as cookware, baking trays, and appliance housings.
- Building decoration: For example, exterior wall cladding, roofing materials, etc.
- Transportation industry: Used for vehicle bodies, ship structures, and other applications requiring corrosion resistance and lightweight properties.
3004-H18 Aluminum Alloy Applications
- Structural components: Due to its higher strength, 3004 aluminum alloy is widely used in applications requiring strong structural support, such as building frames and vehicle bodies.
- Automotive industry: Used for automotive body components, especially for parts requiring high strength.
- Container manufacturing: Such as aluminum barrels, tanks, and other containers that need to withstand high pressure or load.
3003-H18 aluminum alloy, with its excellent formability and good thermal conductivity, is suitable for applications that require flexibility, heat conductivity, and corrosion resistance.
3004-H18 aluminum alloy, with its higher strength and hardness, is more suitable for structural applications, especially those requiring high strength and resistance to deformation.
When choosing between these two aluminum alloys, the decision should be based on the specific requirements of the application. If higher strength is required, 3004-H18 may be the better choice, while if better formability and thermal conductivity are needed, 3003-H18 may be more suitable.
3003-H18 Aluminum vs. 3004-H18 Aluminum Mechanical Properties
Tensile Strength
The tensile strength of 3004-H18 aluminum alloy is significantly higher than that of 3003-H18 aluminum alloy. 3004 aluminum alloy has stronger tensile strength, making it suitable for applications that require high-strength structures.
Shear Strength
3004 aluminum alloy has higher shear strength due to its higher magnesium content. In comparison, 3004 aluminum alloy performs better under shear loads, making it suitable for applications where shear resistance is needed.
Elongation at Fracture
3003-H18 aluminum alloy has better elongation at fracture compared to 3004-H18 aluminum alloy. This means that 3003 aluminum alloy has better formability and toughness, allowing it to deform more flexibly under stress, while 3004 aluminum alloy is more brittle and prone to fracture.
| Property | 3003-H18 Aluminum | 3004-H18 Aluminum |
| Brinell Hardness | 56 | 80 |
| Elastic Modulus (Young's, Tensile) | 10 x 10⁶ psi | 10 x 10⁶ psi |
| Elongation at Break | 4.5% | 1.1% |
| Fatigue Strength | 10 x 10³ psi | 13 x 10³ psi |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.33 | 0.33 |
| Shear Modulus | 3.8 x 10⁶ psi | 3.8 x 10⁶ psi |
| Shear Strength | 16 x 10³ psi | 24 x 10³ psi |
| Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS) | 30 x 10³ psi | 43 x 10³ psi |
| Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof) | 27 x 10³ psi | 36 x 10³ psi |
3003 H18 Aluminum vs. 3004-H18 Aluminum Thermal Properties
3003-H18 aluminum alloy has a higher thermal conductivity, meaning it has better heat transfer properties, making it particularly suitable for applications that require heat dissipation or conduction.
3004-H18 aluminum alloy has slightly lower thermal conductivity, which makes it less suitable for applications that require significant heat conduction. However, in environments where higher strength is required, 3004 aluminum alloy can offer superior performance.
| Property | 3003-H18 Aluminum | 3004-H18 Aluminum |
| Latent Heat of Fusion | 400 J/g | 400 J/g |
| Maximum Temperature: Mechanical | 360 °F | 360 °F |
| Melting Completion (Liquidus) | 1210 °F | 1210 °F |
| Melting Onset (Solidus) | 1190 °F | 1170 °F |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 0.21 BTU/lb-°F | 0.21 BTU/lb-°F |
| Thermal Conductivity | 100 BTU/h-ft-°F | 94 BTU/h-ft-°F |
| Thermal Expansion | 23 µm/m-K | 24 µm/m-K |
3003-H18 Aluminum vs. 3004-H18 Aluminum Electrical Properties
| Property | 3003-H18 Aluminum | 3004-H18 Aluminum |
| Electrical Conductivity (Equal Volume) | 44% IACS | 42% IACS |
| Electrical Conductivity (Equal Weight) | 140% IACS | 140% IACS |
Other Properties
| Property | 3003-H18 Aluminum | 3004-H18 Aluminum |
| Base Metal Price | 9.5% relative | 9.5% relative |
| Calomel Potential | -740 mV | -750 mV |
| Density | 170 lb/ft³ | 170 lb/ft³ |
| Embodied Carbon | 8.1 kg CO₂/kg | 8.3 kg CO₂/kg |
| Embodied Energy | 66 x 10³ BTU/lb | 66 x 10³ BTU/lb |
| Embodied Water | 140 gal/lb | 140 gal/lb |
Common Calculations
| Property | 3003-H18 Aluminum | 3004-H18 Aluminum |
| Resilience: Ultimate (Unit Rupture Work) | 9.0 MJ/m³ | 3.2 MJ/m³ |
| Resilience: Unit (Modulus of Resilience) | 240 kJ/m³ | 450 kJ/m³ |
| Stiffness to Weight: Axial | 14 points | 14 points |
| Stiffness to Weight: Bending | 50 points | 50 points |
| Strength to Weight: Axial | 21 points | 30 points |
| Strength to Weight: Bending | 28 points | 36 points |
| Thermal Diffusivity | 71 mm²/s | 65 mm²/s |
| Thermal Shock Resistance | 9.1 points | 13 points |
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