3003 H14 H24 half hard aluminum coil
3003 H14 / H24 half-hard aluminum coil is a widely used aluminum alloy product that balances good mechanical strength, excellent corrosion resistance, and good formability. It is commonly supplied in coil form for efficient handling and downstream processing such as stamping, bending, deep drawing, roll forming, and fabrication.
Alloy: 3003 (Al–Mn family)
Tempers: H14 (strain-hardened, half-hard) and H24 (strain-hardened + partial anneal, half-hard)
Form: Coil (slit coils, master coils, cut-to-length sheets)
Thickness range: typically 0.2 mm to 6.0 mm (manufacturer dependent)
Width range: typically 20 mm to 1600 mm (manufacturer dependent)
Surface finish: mill finish, bright annealed, foil, painted or coated on request
Main characteristics:
Good corrosion resistance (especially to atmospheric corrosion)
Good workability and moderate strength
Good weldability and brazability
Resistance to oxidation and many chemical environments
Primary functions and advantages
Balanced strength and formability
H14/H24 tempers provide improved yield and tensile strength relative to fully annealed (O temper) while retaining good ductility for forming operations.
Corrosion resistance
3003 is inherently corrosion resistant due to aluminum’s oxide film and manganese alloying, making it suitable for outdoor and mildly corrosive environments.
Good thermal and electrical conductivity
As aluminum, it offers good heat and electrical conduction for applications like heat sinks, thermal shields, and electrical components where non-critical conductivity is acceptable.
Ease of fabrication
Suitable for stamping, bending, roll forming, deep drawing (depending on gauge and temper), and welding.
Cost-effectiveness
3003 is a non-heat-treatable alloy, produced by work hardening and optionally partial annealing. It is broadly available and economical for general-purpose applications.
Common applications
Building and architectural components: roofing, cladding, gutters, soffits, flashing, and siding.
HVAC components: ducts, housings, and panels.
Consumer goods and appliances: cookware, range hoods, refrigerator panels, and decorative trims.
Electrical and thermal components: housings, shields, and heat-dissipation panels.
Transportation: trailer panels, interior fittings, and non-structural panels for vehicles and railcars.
Packaging: cans, tubes, and flexible packaging in thicker foil-like gauges.
Signage and display: sign panels and display backings.
General fabrication: trims, brackets, enclosures, and fabricated parts requiring corrosion resistance and moderate strength.
Alloy standards and specifications
Common international standards covering 3003 aluminum coil include:
ASTM B209 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate
ASTM B210 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Drawn Seamless Tubes
ASTM B211 — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rolled or Cold Finished Bar, Rod, and Wire
EN 573 / EN 515 / EN 485 — European standards for chemical composition and mechanical properties (EN 573-3 chemical composition; EN 485-2 mechanical properties of aluminum and aluminum alloys)
JIS H4000 — Japanese Industrial Standard for aluminum and aluminum alloy materials
GB/T 3880 — Chinese National Standard for aluminum and aluminum alloy chemical composition and form
(Manufacturers often list both the applicable standards and specific customer requirements for tolerance, surface finish, and testing.)
Temper designations and meanings
H14: Strain-hardened to a half-hard temper (no special heating). Provides increased strength through cold working; moderate ductility. Typical use where some forming is required but additional strength over annealed is needed.
H24: Strain-hardened and partially annealed to a quarter-hard condition (sometimes described as “strain-hardened and stabilized” - limited re-crystallization). Typically slightly softer than H14 with better formability while maintaining higher strength than fully annealed (O) temper.
Note: Exact numeric definitions of Hxx tempers can vary by standard; consult supplier documentation for measured mechanical property ranges.
Chemical composition (typical for 3003 alloy)
| Element | Typical % (wt) | Range / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Al | Balance | Remainder |
| Mn | 1.0 — 1.5 | Primary alloying element |
| Cu | 0.05 — 0.20 | Small amounts possible; increases strength |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | Impurity limit |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | Impurity limit |
| Zn | ≤ 0.10 | Impurity limit |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | Microalloying limit |
| Others | Each ≤ 0.05, Total ≤ 0.15 | Residuals |
(Always confirm with mill certificates for exact batch chemistry; limits vary slightly by standard and mill.)
Mechanical properties (typical values)
Provided values are typical ranges — exact results depend on temper, thickness, and processing.
| Temper | Yield Strength (0.2% offset) | Tensile Strength (Rm) | Elongation (A50 or A5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| H14 | ~70–110 MPa | ~130–180 MPa | ~3–8% (thickness dependent) |
| H24 | ~60–100 MPa | ~120–170 MPa | ~6–12% (thickness dependent) |
Notes:
Thicker sections generally show lower yield strength and lower elongation.
H14 is stronger and less ductile than H24 in comparable gauges.
Check supplier mill test reports (MTRs) for certified mechanical values.
Physical properties (approximate)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.73 g/cm³ |
| Melting range | ~643–654 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | ~160–200 W/m·K (depends on temper) |
| Electrical resistivity | ~0.028–0.030 μΩ·m |
| Modulus of elasticity (E) | ~69 GPa |
Typical coil specifications and tolerances
Thickness tolerance: ±0.01–0.10 mm depending on gauge and standard tolerance class
Width tolerance: typically ±0.5–+5 mm (varies by width and mill)
Coil ID/OD: standard internal diameters 508 mm (20"), 610 mm (24"), or customer specified; outer diameter depends on coil weight and thickness
Coil weight: from small slit coil (~50–200 kg) to jumbo coils (several tonnes)
Surface finish: mill finish, BA (bright annealed), chemical etch, or coated finishes available
(Confirm final tolerances with supplier and applicable standards like ASTM B211 or EN 10143.)
Production and processing considerations
Formability: H24 provides better formability than H14; deep drawing capability decreases with increasing temper strength and thickness.
Welding: 3003 welds easily by TIG, MIG, and resistance welding. Use filler metals compatible with 3xxx series when required.
Machining: Typical non-ferrous machining practices apply; chips may be long and ductile.
Surface treatment: Anodizing is possible but less intense than on pure 1xxx or 5xxx series; pre-treatment and process control required for consistent finish.
Corrosion: Good atmospheric corrosion resistance; in marine environments consider additional protective coatings depending on exposure severity.
Quality control and testing
Common tests and quality checks include:
Chemical composition verification (spectrochemical analysis)
Mechanical testing (tensile test, yield, elongation)
Coil dimension checks (thickness, width, flatness)
Visual inspection (surface defects, scratches, pits)
Non-destructive testing (eddy current or ultrasonic where required)
Coil packaging and preservation (oiled wrap, protective interleaving, wooden crates for export)
Typical packaging and delivery options
Slit coils: narrow-width coils for automatic feeding lines
Master coils: wide coils for slitting or further processing
Cut-to-length sheets: stacked and banded, interleaved with protective paper or film
Palletized skids or wooden crates for long-distance shipping
Protective oiling or film to prevent handling scratches and corrosion during storage
Selection guidance
Use H14 temper when moderate forming and higher strength are required (e.g., structural trim, panels subject to moderate loading).
Use H24 temper when superior formability and surface appearance are prioritized (e.g., deep-drawn parts, visible architectural panels).
Confirm thickness and temper suitability for deep drawing or stamping operations with sample parts or trials.
For exposed architectural applications consider protective coatings or PVDF paint for color and additional corrosion protection.
3003 H14 / H24 half-hard aluminum coil is a versatile, cost-effective solution for many industrial and consumer applications that require a combination of corrosion resistance, formability, and moderate strength. Choosing the appropriate temper (H14 vs H24), thickness, and finish — plus confirming supplier specifications and testing — ensures reliable performance for roofing, HVAC, appliances, transportation panels, and general fabrication needs.
For procurement, ask suppliers for mill test certificates, detailed tolerances, surface finish options, and sample coils or pre-production parts to validate forming and finishing performance.
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