3005 aluminum strip
The 3005 aluminum strip is a widely used, non-heat-treatable aluminum-manganese alloy in the 3xxx series. It balances good corrosion resistance, moderate strength, excellent formability, and good surface finish, making it suitable for a broad range of applications including decorative, architectural, packaging, and forming operations.
Features
- Excellent corrosion resistance, particularly to atmospheric and marine environments.
- Good formability and deep-draw properties for forming and stamping operations.
- Moderate strength superior to pure aluminum (1xxx series) and some other 3xxx alloys due to controlled manganese content and optional small additions of magnesium.
- Good surface appearance and suitability for surface treatments: anodizing, painting, laminating.
- Weldable by common fusion and resistance welding methods.
- Recyclable and environmentally friendly.
Typical Chemical Composition
All values in weight percent (wt.%). The composition below represents common 3005 alloy ranges; specific supplier certificates (COA) should be consulted for exact values.
| Element | Typical Range (wt.%) |
|---|---|
| Al | Balance |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1.3 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.20 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.6 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 |
Notes:
- 3005 may sometimes be produced with small additions of Mg (up to ~0.6%) to produce the variant 3005A or closely related alloys to slightly boost strength.
- "Balance" denotes the remainder is aluminum.
Physical and Thermal Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 2.71 g/cm³ (2710 kg/m³) |
| Melting Range | ~ 640–650 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity (room temp) | ~ 150–160 W/m·K |
| Electrical Conductivity (IACS) | ~ 35–40% IACS |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | ~ 23–24 µm/m·K (20–100 °C) |
| Modulus of Elasticity (Young's modulus) | ~ 69 GPa |
| Specific Heat (room temp) | ~ 0.9 J/g·K |
Values are typical and can vary slightly depending on temper and exact composition.
Mechanical Properties (Representative, by Temper)
Mechanical properties depend on temper (H t temper series for strain-hardened or O for annealed). Below are representative values:
| Temper | Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength 0.2% (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O (annealed) | 105–145 | 30–70 | 25–35 |
| H14 (quarter-hard) | 165–220 | 120–150 | 6–10 |
| H16 (hard, moderately) | 185–245 | 140–160 | 4–8 |
| H18 (hard) | 200–260 | 150–170 | 3–6 |
Notes:
- Exact values depend on sheet/strip thickness and supplier processing. Always verify with supplier datasheets.
- 3005 is non-heat-treatable; strengthening is achieved via cold working (tempers Hxx).
Available Thicknesses, Widths, and Surface Treatments
3005 aluminum strip is produced in a wide range of dimensions and surface finishes to suit manufacturing requirements.
| Parameter | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.20 mm – 6.0 mm (custom thicker gauges available upon request) |
| Width | Up to 2000 mm (commonly 20–1600 mm; custom slitting widths available) |
| Coil ID | 508 mm (20 in), 762 mm (30 in), or custom |
| Coil Weight | 500 kg – 10,000+ kg depending on thickness and width |
| Surface Finishes | Mill (bright), cold-rolled dull, chemically treated, brush finish |
| Coatings & Treatments | Anodized, lubricants, oiling, chromate conversion, PVdF/Polyester painting, prepainted coil, laminates |
Formability and Fabrication
- Deep drawing: 3005 exhibits good deep-drawability in annealed (O) and light-hardened tempers; H14–H18 provide medium formability.
- Stamping/punching: Performs well; sharp edges and springback should be considered according to temper and thickness.
- Bending: Good bendability; minimum bend radius depends on temper and thickness (recommend testing for tight radii).
- Welding: Amenable to TIG, MIG (GMAW), spot and resistance welding. Pre-/post-weld treatments reduce discoloration.
- Joining: Mechanical fastening, riveting, and adhesive bonding commonly used.
- Anodizing: Produces uniform anodic films; surface pre-treatment (cleaning, brightening) recommended for aesthetics.
- Painting/Coating: Good adhesion for coil coating and painting with proper pretreatment (conversion coating recommended).
Corrosion Resistance
- Excellent general corrosion resistance in atmospheric conditions and many environments.
- Good resistance to foodstuffs and moderate marine exposure; not recommended for direct immersion in aggressively acidic or alkaline solutions without protective coatings.
- Welded areas may require post-treatment to restore full corrosion protection (e.g., chromate or conversion coatings).
Typical Applications
3005 aluminum strip’s combination of formability, corrosion resistance, and surface quality make it popular in many industries:
- Architectural and building:
- Roofing panels, soffits, gutters, fascia, flashings
- Decorative trim and cladding
- Consumer goods and appliances:
- Refrigerator panels, oven faces, range hoods, microwave components
- Household decorative trims, cookware components (non-critical)
- Packaging and containers:
- Beverage can lids, aerosol valved components (note: cans typically use wrought alloys like 3003/3104; 3005 is used for certain non-critical packaging parts)
- Transportation and automotive:
- Interior trim, heat shields, linings, lightweight components
- Electrical and thermal:
- Heat sinks and radiators where moderate conductivity and formability are needed
- Manufacturing and processing:
- Deep-drawn components, stamped parts, laminated products
- Signage and displays:
- Sign face stock and backing panels where paintability and appearance matter
Quality, Standards, and Specifications
Common specifications and standards referencing 3005 alloy and strip/sheet forms include:
| Organization | Typical Standard |
|---|---|
| ASTM | ASTM B209 (Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate) — alloy designation applies; also B209 for sheet/plate and B211 for bar |
| EN / European | EN 573-3 (chemical composition), EN 485-2 (mechanical properties — sheet/strip testing) |
| JIS | JIS H4000 series (where applicable for aluminum alloys) |
| ISO | ISO 6361 (for aluminum and aluminum alloys — sheet, strip and plate) |
Ensure to request the supplier's mill test certificate (MTC / COA) and check compliance with the specific standard required for your application.
Inspection, Testing, and Certification
Common tests and inspections performed on 3005 strip:
- Chemical composition analysis (ICP, OES) per lot
- Mechanical testing (tensile, yield, elongation) on representative samples
- Thickness and width tolerance checks
- Surface quality inspection (scratches, stains, coil set)
- Flatness and edge condition evaluation
- Non-destructive tests for special applications (e.g., eddy current)
- Coating adhesion tests (if pre-painted or coated)
Packaging and Handling
- Supplied in coils or slit strips, usually wrapped with protective films/papers and on wooden pallets or steel pallets for export.
- For prepainted or finished surfaces, use interleaving, protective films, and strapping to prevent marring.
- Avoid bending coiled material beyond recommended coil set when unwinding; store coils in dry environment to prevent contamination.
Selection Guidance
- Choose annealed (O) temper for maximum formability and deep drawing; select H14–H18 for higher strength and moderate forming where springback is acceptable.
- For applications requiring superior surface finish or anodizing, specify pre-treatment and acceptable surface roughness.
- Consider coating or painting for aggressive environments or where long-term aesthetics are critical.
- Confirm dimensional tolerances and mechanical properties with supplier to ensure compatibility with tooling and downstream processes.
3005 aluminum strip provides an attractive combination of corrosion resistance, formability, surface finish, and moderate strength. It is widely used in architectural elements, appliances, packaging components, and formed parts. Proper temper selection, surface treatment, and supplier verification ensure the material meets application-specific requirements. For production orders, request full material test reports and confirm coating or finishing processes tailored to your end-use.
If you want, I can provide:
- Typical supplier tolerance tables for thickness/width/flatness for specific product ranges.
- Sample coil specification sheets or an application-specific recommendation (e.g., deep-draw vs. exterior architectural use).
