What is 3005 Aluminum?

May. 06, 2025

3005 aluminum alloy is a non-heat-treatable wrought alloy in the 3000 series, primarily composed of manganese (Mn) and magnesium (Mg). It is known for its moderate strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and formability, making it suitable for various industrial applications.

3005 aluminum is a non-heat-treatable wrought aluminum-manganese-magnesium alloy (UNS A93005) with medium strength, excellent corrosion resistance, good formability, and ease of fabrication. It typically contains 95.7–98.8 wt% Al, 1.0–1.5 wt% Mn, and 0.2–0.6 wt% Mg, along with small amounts of Fe, Si, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ti, and residuals. This composition provides 3005 aluminum with higher strength than the 3003 alloy while maintaining outstanding corrosion resistance in humid environments. Due to the combination of its mechanical properties and surface finish quality, it is widely used in building panels, roofing, color-coated coils, HVAC equipment, and decorative strips.

3005 Aluminum Chemical Composition

The composition of this alloy includes:

Aluminum (Al): 95.7–98.8% (base metal)
Manganese (Mn): 1.0–1.5% (enhances strength and machinability)
Magnesium (Mg): 0.2–0.6% (improves strength in humid environments)
Trace elements: Iron (≤0.7%), Silicon (≤0.6%), Copper (≤0.3%), Zinc (≤0.25%) as well as minor amounts of Chromium and Titanium

3005 Aluminum Properties

3005 Aluminum Mechanical Properties

3005 aluminum is available in a variety of tempers to balance strength and formability. The 3005 alloy is offered in over a dozen tempers (F, O, H12–H28), allowing customization of hardness, strength, and ductility based on specific forming or performance requirements.

Cold-worked tempers:

H14: Yield Strength ~165 MPa; Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) ~239 MPa; Elongation ~7%
H16: Yield Strength ~190 MPa; Ultimate Tensile Strength ~210 MPa; Brinell Hardness ~61 HB; Elongation ~1.7%
H22: Yield Strength ~130 MPa; Ultimate Tensile Strength ~160 MPa; Brinell Hardness ~45 HB; Elongation ~4%

3005 Aluminum General Properties

Elastic Modulus: ~70 GPa
Fatigue Strength: ~78 MPa (H16); ~93 MPa (H22)
Poisson's Ratio: 0.33

3005 Aluminum Physical and Thermal Properties

Density: 2.73 g/cm³
Melting Point: 630–655°C
Thermal Conductivity: 160–190 W/mK
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: 23.9 µm/m°C (20–100°C)

3005 Aluminum Tempers and Processing

3005 aluminum cannot be heat treated and therefore requires cold working to enhance strength. Common tempers include:

O (Annealed): Soft condition, good ductility, lower strength
H14/H22: Partially strain-hardened, higher strength while maintaining moderate formability
H18: Fully hardened, highest strength, but lower ductility

3005 Aluminum Corrosion Resistance and Weldability

Due to its richness in manganese and magnesium, it performs excellently in humid and marine environments, making it an ideal choice for outdoor and industrial applications.

3005 aluminum exhibits excellent general corrosion resistance in atmospheric, marine, and industrial environments, similar to other 3000 series alloys. It has good weldability with minimal strength loss in the heat-affected zone when welded using MIG, TIG, or resistance welding methods.

3005 Aluminum Formability and Manufacturability

Due to its high ductility in the O temper and moderate strength in H tempers, this alloy exhibits excellent formability in deep drawing, bending, and roll forming processes. It is easy to roll-coat for architectural finishes and can be embossed, laminated, or painted without affecting adhesion.

3005 Aluminum Standards and Designations

UNS: A93005
EN AW: 3005A (Al Mn1 Mg0.5)
AA: Designated as 3005 by the Aluminum Association

3005 Aluminum Applications

Thanks to its durability and ease of processing, 3005 aluminum is widely used in:

Building and construction: Pre-painted coils for roofing, curtain walls, exterior cladding, and interior decorations due to excellent paint adhesion and weather resistance.
HVAC industry: Finned tubes, heat exchangers, and casings in air conditioners and refrigerators, where corrosion resistance in humid environments is critical.
Transportation: Decorative strips, nameplates, and signage on buses and trucks, taking advantage of its lightweight and formability.
Packaging: Foil laminates for moist food packaging, offering hygienic compliance and corrosion resistance.
Automotive: Heat exchangers, panels, and lightweight structural components.
Consumer goods: Furniture, roller shutters, and anodized products.
Marine and industrial: Components exposed to moisture or chemicals.

3005 Aluminum Advantages and Limitations

3005 Aluminum Advantages

Better corrosion resistance compared to 3003 aluminum.
Good weldability and formability.
Cost-effective for structural applications.

3005 Aluminum Limitations

Lower strength compared to 5000/6000 series alloys.
Limited machinability due to work hardening.

3005 Aluminum Comparison with Similar Alloys

3003 Aluminum: 3005 aluminum has about 20% higher strength but slightly less ductility.
3105 Aluminum: Contains a higher magnesium content, enhancing corrosion resistance.

3005 aluminum is a versatile alloy in the 3000 series, characterized by manganese strengthening, moderate mechanical performance, and excellent corrosion resistance. It adapts to various temper conditions, making it ideal for architectural, HVAC, transportation, and packaging applications, while meeting global standards to ensure material consistency and quality.

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