Aluminum has many valuable properties that make it popular in a wide range of industries. Its high strength, low weight, corrosion resistance, and ease of fabrication make it suitable for many different applications. 3003 aluminum is one of our most requested grades, and we’re often asked about how it compares to 3105 aluminum.
The difference between 3003 and 3105 aluminum
As with other metals, higher strength is desirable for high-stress applications, but may be less-than-ideal for forming and shaping. 3105 aluminum is slightly stronger than 3003, making it the preferred choice for applications where extra strength with good corrosion resistance is needed, such as residential siding, roofing, and mobile home construction. 3003 aluminum is often found in applications that require ductility along with corrosion resistance, such as kitchen equipment, chemical equipment, and sheet metal. 3105 aluminum also tends to be more cost-effective than 3003.
Similarities between 3105 aluminum and 3003 aluminum
Both 3105 and 3003 aluminum belong to the 3000 series, giving them similar characteristics, such as the high strength-to-weight ratio common in aluminum alloys, good corrosion resistance and better workability than many other aluminum grades. Because they are non-heat treatable, their properties can only be improved through cold working. Both 3105 and 3003 aluminum are suitable for many all-purpose applications.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 regarding alloy composition
Both 3105 and 3003 aluminum share the same primary alloying element — manganese. 3105 aluminum’s greater proportion of manganese and fair amount of magnesium give the alloy a small strength advantage over 3003 aluminum.
3003 and 3105 aluminum properties vary depending on their tempers, and some of the comparisons below may not be true for some tempers. But the following mechanical properties can give you a sense of how the two alloys compare in general.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 for strength
3105 aluminum has a slight edge in strength over 3003 aluminum, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Common metrics used to measure strength include tensile strength, yield strength, elongation percentage at break, and fatigue strength.
Ultimate tensile strength
Ultimate tensile strength is the measure of resistance a material has to tension before it without stretches or breaks. 3105 aluminum’s greater ultimate tensile strength (20,000—30,000 psi for 3105 vs. 16,000—30,000 psi for 3003 aluminum), giving 3105 a slight edge over 3003 aluminum for applications needing higher strength.
Yield strength
Yield strength measures how much stress a metal can withstand before changing its shape permanently. Yield strength and tensile strength are closely related, so it’s no surprise that 3105 aluminum has a higher yield strength (8,000 to 16,000 psi for 3105 vs. 7,000 to 15,000 psi for 3003 aluminum).
Elongation percentage at break
Elongation percentage at break, also known as fracture strain or tensile elongation at break, measures how much a metal can stretch before it breaks. Unlike the other measures of strength that we examine here, 3003 aluminum alloy tends to have a slight edge over 3015, elongating 10% to 20% before breaking, while 3105 aluminum can typically elongate a bit less — around 8% to 16% — before it fractures. The exact percentage will depend on how each alloy has been tempered and processed. 3003 aluminum’s slightly lower manganese content is what allows it to elongate slightly more than 3105 aluminum before it breaks.
Fatigue strength
Fatigue strength is the level at which a material can undergo an infinite number of stress cycles without failure. This measure is extremely important in applications that undergo cyclic stress. 3105 aluminum generally has a slightly higher fatigue strength than 3003 aluminum, but neither alloy is well suited for applications that require high fatigue strength.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 for forming/bending/working/rolling
3003 aluminum is commonly used for applications that need complex forming, such as spinning, drawing, or bending. 3105 aluminum can also be formed, but its higher strength makes it more difficult to work with. 3003 aluminum can be tightly bent, whereas 3105 aluminum requires attention when bending to avoid cracking. Both alloys have good workability, but 3105 is more demanding than 3003. 3003 aluminum is a popular choice for applications requiring rolled sheet metal, such as cookware and chemical equipment. While 3105 aluminum can also be rolled, it may require more force or precision. Overall, 3003 aluminum’s high ductility makes it the preferred choice over 3105 aluminum for forming, bending, working, and rolling.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 for weldability
3105 and 3003 aluminum are both composed mainly of aluminum and manganese, making both alloys highly weldable. They can be welded using most conventional methods, including Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding. Because there is no significant difference in the weldability of 3105 and 3003 aluminum, the choice between the two is typically made depending on how well other properties, such as strength or formability, suit the application.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 for machinability
Both 3003 and 3105 aluminum have a reputation for good machinability. 3003 aluminum also has high ductility that makes it easier to cut, but this can also make the metal more prone to sticking.
3105 aluminum vs 3003 aluminum for corrosion resistance
As part of the 3000 series, both 3105 and 3003 aluminum have excellent corrosion resistance, but their resistance may be affected by certain environments, such as highly acidic or alkaline conditions.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 for thermal conductivity
Pure aluminum and its alloys, including 3105 and 3003, tend to have good thermal conductivity. The manganese in both alloys and the magnesium in 3015 aluminum slightly reduce conductivity compared with pure aluminum, but the two alloys are still considered to be highly conductive.
What are 3003 and 3105 aluminum used for?
3003 and 3015 aluminum are used in a variety of applications due to their moderate strength, excellent formability, and strong corrosion resistance.
3003 aluminum is commonly found in such applications as:
Kitchen utensils and cookware
Chemical equipment
Heat exchangers and air conditioning units
Architectural applications
General sheet metal work
3105 aluminum uses include:
Residential siding
General construction
Mobile homes and commercial buildings
Signage and road signs
Beverage containers
So, which is better — 3105 or 3003 aluminum?
3003 and 3105 aluminum are closely related non-heat-treatable aluminum alloys that have high corrosion resistance. 3105 aluminum has a slight advantage in strength, making it the better choice for applications that require durability in harsh conditions. 3003 aluminum is not as strong, but its more ductile nature gives it the edge in applications that require forming. Which one is better depends on the needs of your application. Not sure which fits your needs best? Contact the aluminum alloy specialists at Cumberland today and we’ll be happy to advise you on the decision.
3003 vs. 3105 Aluminum: How They Stack Up
Posted by Ben Kammer in Articles
Aluminum has many valuable properties that make it popular in a wide range of industries. Its high strength, low weight, corrosion resistance, and ease of fabrication make it suitable for many different applications. 3003 aluminum is one of our most requested grades, and we’re often asked about how it compares to 3105 aluminum.
The difference between 3003 and 3105 aluminum
As with other metals, higher strength is desirable for high-stress applications, but may be less-than-ideal for forming and shaping. 3105 aluminum is slightly stronger than 3003, making it the preferred choice for applications where extra strength with good corrosion resistance is needed, such as residential siding, roofing, and mobile home construction. 3003 aluminum is often found in applications that require ductility along with corrosion resistance, such as kitchen equipment, chemical equipment, and sheet metal. 3105 aluminum also tends to be more cost-effective than 3003.
Similarities between 3105 aluminum and 3003 aluminum
Both 3105 and 3003 aluminum belong to the 3000 series, giving them similar characteristics, such as the high strength-to-weight ratio common in aluminum alloys, good corrosion resistance and better workability than many other aluminum grades. Because they are non-heat treatable, their properties can only be improved through cold working. Both 3105 and 3003 aluminum are suitable for many all-purpose applications.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 regarding alloy composition
Both 3105 and 3003 aluminum share the same primary alloying element — manganese. 3105 aluminum’s greater proportion of manganese and fair amount of magnesium give the alloy a small strength advantage over 3003 aluminum.
3003 and 3105 aluminum properties vary depending on their tempers, and some of the comparisons below may not be true for some tempers. But the following mechanical properties can give you a sense of how the two alloys compare in general.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 for strength
3105 aluminum has a slight edge in strength over 3003 aluminum, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Common metrics used to measure strength include tensile strength, yield strength, elongation percentage at break, and fatigue strength.
Ultimate tensile strength
Ultimate tensile strength is the measure of resistance a material has to tension before it without stretches or breaks. 3105 aluminum’s greater ultimate tensile strength (20,000—30,000 psi for 3105 vs. 16,000—30,000 psi for 3003 aluminum), giving 3105 a slight edge over 3003 aluminum for applications needing higher strength.
Yield strength
Yield strength measures how much stress a metal can withstand before changing its shape permanently. Yield strength and tensile strength are closely related, so it’s no surprise that 3105 aluminum has a higher yield strength (8,000 to 16,000 psi for 3105 vs. 7,000 to 15,000 psi for 3003 aluminum).
Elongation percentage at break
Elongation percentage at break, also known as fracture strain or tensile elongation at break, measures how much a metal can stretch before it breaks. Unlike the other measures of strength that we examine here, 3003 aluminum alloy tends to have a slight edge over 3015, elongating 10% to 20% before breaking, while 3105 aluminum can typically elongate a bit less — around 8% to 16% — before it fractures. The exact percentage will depend on how each alloy has been tempered and processed. 3003 aluminum’s slightly lower manganese content is what allows it to elongate slightly more than 3105 aluminum before it breaks.
Fatigue strength
Fatigue strength is the level at which a material can undergo an infinite number of stress cycles without failure. This measure is extremely important in applications that undergo cyclic stress. 3105 aluminum generally has a slightly higher fatigue strength than 3003 aluminum, but neither alloy is well suited for applications that require high fatigue strength.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 for forming/bending/working/rolling
3003 aluminum is commonly used for applications that need complex forming, such as spinning, drawing, or bending. 3105 aluminum can also be formed, but its higher strength makes it more difficult to work with. 3003 aluminum can be tightly bent, whereas 3105 aluminum requires attention when bending to avoid cracking. Both alloys have good workability, but 3105 is more demanding than 3003. 3003 aluminum is a popular choice for applications requiring rolled sheet metal, such as cookware and chemical equipment. While 3105 aluminum can also be rolled, it may require more force or precision. Overall, 3003 aluminum’s high ductility makes it the preferred choice over 3105 aluminum for forming, bending, working, and rolling.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 for weldability
3105 and 3003 aluminum are both composed mainly of aluminum and manganese, making both alloys highly weldable. They can be welded using most conventional methods, including Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding. Because there is no significant difference in the weldability of 3105 and 3003 aluminum, the choice between the two is typically made depending on how well other properties, such as strength or formability, suit the application.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 for machinability
Both 3003 and 3105 aluminum have a reputation for good machinability. 3003 aluminum also has high ductility that makes it easier to cut, but this can also make the metal more prone to sticking.
3105 aluminum vs 3003 aluminum for corrosion resistance
As part of the 3000 series, both 3105 and 3003 aluminum have excellent corrosion resistance, but their resistance may be affected by certain environments, such as highly acidic or alkaline conditions.
Aluminum 3105 vs 3003 for thermal conductivity
Pure aluminum and its alloys, including 3105 and 3003, tend to have good thermal conductivity. The manganese in both alloys and the magnesium in 3015 aluminum slightly reduce conductivity compared with pure aluminum, but the two alloys are still considered to be highly conductive.
What are 3003 and 3105 aluminum used for?
3003 and 3015 aluminum are used in a variety of applications due to their moderate strength, excellent formability, and strong corrosion resistance.
3003 aluminum is commonly found in such applications as:
3105 aluminum uses include:
So, which is better — 3105 or 3003 aluminum?
3003 and 3105 aluminum are closely related non-heat-treatable aluminum alloys that have high corrosion resistance. 3105 aluminum has a slight advantage in strength, making it the better choice for applications that require durability in harsh conditions. 3003 aluminum is not as strong, but its more ductile nature gives it the edge in applications that require forming. Which one is better depends on the needs of your application. Not sure which fits your needs best? Contact the aluminum alloy specialists at Cumberland today and we’ll be happy to advise you on the decision.