3004 AA prepainted aluminum coil color coated aluminum coil

02/18 2026

When people talk about 3004 AA prepainted aluminum coil (often called color coated aluminum coil), the conversation usually starts with appearance: smooth finishes, consistent color, and modern styling. A more useful way to understand it, especially for buyers and engineers, is to treat it as a "ready-to-perform surface system" built on a work-hardenable aluminum alloy. In other words, it is not only a coil of metal with paint on top-it is a balance of formability, corrosion resistance, coating adhesion, and long-term color stability that turns sheet aluminum into an efficient product platform for manufacturing.

What makes AA 3004 different in prepainted coil form

AA 3004 is an Al-Mn-Mg alloy from the 3xxx series. It is widely chosen for coated coil because it sits in a practical sweet spot: it forms well during bending, roll forming, stamping, and profiling, while offering better strength than 3003. That extra strength matters after coating, because the finished part is expected to keep its shape, resist denting, and maintain surface integrity under handling.

Prepainting adds another layer of value. Coil coating applies primer and topcoat under controlled, repeatable conditions-far more consistent than job-site painting. For customers, that means faster fabrication, fewer finishing steps, and predictable performance across large batches.

Functions you can "buy" with 3004 color coated coil

A distinctive viewpoint is to think of the coil as delivering four functions at once, not just raw material.

Surface protection that moves with the metal
Coated 3004 is designed to undergo deformation without widespread cracking or peeling. The alloy provides ductility; the coating system provides flexibility and adhesion. This is especially important for profiled sheets, shutter slats, ceiling panels, and roofing where repeated bends occur.

A controlled barrier against corrosion
Aluminum naturally forms an oxide film, but real environments contain chlorides, industrial pollutants, and moisture cycles. Color coating adds a stable barrier layer, reducing underfilm corrosion risk and delaying aesthetic degradation such as staining and chalking.

Color and gloss as an engineered property
Color consistency is not only a branding requirement; it can also be a functional requirement for façade continuity, heat reflection, and lighting control. Coatings can be selected for solar reflectance or low-gloss interior comfort.

Manufacturing efficiency
Using prepainted coil turns painting into a supply-chain decision rather than a production bottleneck. It reduces VOC exposure on-site, improves throughput, and helps standardize quality across multiple fabrication sites.

Typical applications where 3004 prepainted coil excels

AA 3004 color coated aluminum coil is commonly used where both formability and surface life matter.

Building envelope and architectural components
Roofing sheets, wall cladding, fascia, soffits, composite panel skins, rainwater goods, and decorative trims benefit from the alloy's balance of strength and bendability. The coated surface helps preserve visual uniformity across large elevations.

Transportation and mobility-related panels
Trailer panels, body trims, interior linings, and lightweight casings often use prepainted coil to minimize downstream finishing and improve corrosion resistance in wet service.

Appliances and equipment housings
Prepainted 3004 can be used for outer casings, panels, covers, and decorative parts where cosmetic stability and scratch resistance are key.

Signage, lighting, and display systems
The combination of consistent gloss, stable color, and easy fabrication makes it suitable for indoor and semi-outdoor display assemblies.

Parameters customers check first (and what they really mean)

Below are common order ranges for 3004 AA prepainted aluminum coil. Exact capability depends on the producer and coating line.

Common dimensional ranges
Thickness (aluminum): about 0.20–1.50 mm for many coated coil applications
Width: about 600–1600 mm
Coil ID: 150 / 300 / 405 / 505 mm (typical)
Coil OD: often up to around 1200–1600 mm depending on logistics

Coating system ranges
Topcoat: typically 15–25 μm for PE; thicker systems possible for PVDF or high-durability coatings
Primer: commonly 5–10 μm
Back coat: commonly 5–12 μm (single or double coat options)
Finish options: solid, metallic, pearlescent, wood grain, stone pattern, matte, high gloss, textured

Performance is not just thickness-matching coating chemistry to environment matters. PE is economical and widely used; PVDF is favored for exterior durability and color retention; SMP/HDP systems are often selected for improved weathering versus standard PE.

Alloy tempering and why it matters after painting

AA 3004 is strengthened mainly by work hardening, so temper selection influences forming performance and stiffness.

Common tempers for coated coil
H14: half-hard, good balance of strength and formability
H16: harder, more rigidity, less formability
H18: full-hard, maximum rigidity, limited forming
H24/H26: strain-hardened and partially annealed, often chosen when deeper forming or reduced springback is needed

For roofing and cladding profiles, H14 and H24 are frequently specified to support roll forming while keeping the surface stable. For flatter panels requiring rigidity, harder tempers may be used, but coating flexibility must be verified for the intended bend radius.

Implementation standards and quality references

Suppliers typically produce 3004 color coated coil under widely recognized aluminum and coil coating references. Commonly referenced standards include:

Aluminum alloy and temper designation
ASTM B209 / EN 485 series for wrought aluminum sheet and coil requirements

Coil coating performance and paint film evaluation (commonly used methods)
ASTM D3359 for adhesion (cross-hatch)
ASTM D2794 for impact resistance
ASTM D522 for flexibility (bend)
ASTM D3363 for pencil hardness
ASTM B117 for salt spray exposure (comparative test)
ASTM G154 / G155 for accelerated weathering (as agreed)

In purchasing, it is best to specify both the substrate standard and the coating performance criteria, because good-looking paint without verified adhesion and flexibility can fail during forming.

Chemical composition of AA 3004 (typical limits)

AA 3004 is defined by standards with allowable ranges. Values below reflect typical specification limits (wt.%).

This chemistry explains the real-world behavior: manganese supports strength and corrosion resistance; magnesium contributes additional strength; together they make 3004 more robust than basic 3003 while keeping good workability for coated products.

A practical buying takeaway

Choosing 3004 AA prepainted aluminum coil is best seen as selecting a "finished performance package": a formable alloy substrate plus a tailored coating system. For fast-moving manufacturing, architectural consistency, and reliable outdoor appearance, it offers a compelling combination of efficiency and durability-especially when thickness, temper, coating type, and verification standards are specified as one complete set rather than separate line items.

3004   

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