3003-H18 Aluminum Sheet

3003-H18 Aluminum Sheet

The 3003 H18 aluminum sheet has undergone a number of cold working procedures that significantly improve its strength and hardness while preserving a respectable degree of formability. Since it is a non-heat-treatable alloy, cold working rather than thermal treatments is mostly used to produce its mechanical qualities.
Description

Gnee Steel (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. is one of the most reliable manufacturers and suppliers of 3003-h18 aluminum sheet in China. With abundant experience, we warmly welcome you to wholesale high quality 3003-h18 aluminum sheet in stock here from our factory. Good service and reasonable price are available.

 

3003-H18 Aluminum Sheet Description

 

In simple terms, 3003-H18 is an aluminum-manganese alloy (3003 series) that has been strengthened to its maximum level through cold working. This is known as a "full-hard" temper, designated by "H18."


The key characteristics of the 3003-H18 Aluminum Sheet:

 

  • High Strength: It is significantly stronger and harder than softer tempers of the same alloy.
  • Excellent Corrosion Resistance: It performs very well in various atmospheric conditions.
  • Not Formable: This is the most critical point to understand. Due to its full-hard state, it cannot be bent or formed without cracking. It is designed exclusively for flat applications.

It is a primary material for industries like construction, industrial manufacturing, and transportation where rigidity and durability in a panel form are essential.

 

Key Features of 3003-H18 Aluminum Sheet

 

  • Full Hard Temper (H18): This provides maximum stiffness and resistance to denting and surface damage.
  • Higher Strength than H14/H24 Tempers: When compared to other common tempers, H18 offers the highest tensile and yield strength, making it ideal for structural panels that do not require forming.
  • Excellent Corrosion Resistance: The 1.2% manganese content gives this alloy superior resistance to weathering and corrosion, making it a long-lasting choice for outdoor use.
  • Lightweight and Cost-Effective: Like all aluminum alloys, 3003 provides an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, reducing structural load and shipping costs. It is one of the most economical corrosion-resistant alloys available.
  • Good Surface for Finishing: The standard mill finish is clean and uniform, making it an excellent base for painting, coating, or other decorative finishes.

 

Chemical Composition of the 3003 Aluminum Alloy

 

The performance of 3003-H18 is determined by its precise chemical composition, which we strictly control to meet international standards.

Element Content (%)
Aluminum (Al) Balance
Manganese (Mn) 1.0 – 1.5
Copper (Cu) 0.05 – 0.20
Silicon (Si) ≤0.6
Iron (Fe) ≤0.7
Zinc (Zn) ≤0.1

Manganese (Mn) is the key alloying element that provides the strength and corrosion resistance that the 3003 series is known for.

 

Mechanical Properties of 3003 H18 Temper

 

These values clearly illustrate the trade-off between strength and ductility. For engineers and buyers, these numbers are critical for material specification.

Property Typical Value Range
Tensile Strength 140 – 180 MPa
Yield Strength ≥120 MPa
Elongation (%) ≤5%
Hardness ~45–55 HB

 

What This Means for You: The most important figure here is Elongation (≤5%). A low elongation value means the material has very little "stretch." It will fracture before it bends. This is the technical reason why 3003-H18 is a non-formable material and should only be used for flat sheet applications.

 

Specifications of 3003-H18 Aluminum Sheet

 

Specification Details
Thickness 0.3 mm – 200.0 mm
Width 100 mm – 2500 mm
Regular width 1000/1250/1500/2000
Length 1000 mm – 12000 mm
Standards ASTM B209 / EN 485 / GB/T 3880

Forms

3003-H18 Aluminum Sheet: Cut to specific lengths and widths, ready for immediate use.
3003-H18 Aluminum Plate: A term typically used for thicknesses over 6 mm.
3003-H18 Aluminum Coil: Continuous rolled material, perfect for automated production lines for products like roofing or industrial panels.

read more:3003-h18-forming-limitations

Surfaces Polished (for a reflective finish), Brushed (for a satin, decorative look), Stucco Embossed (hides fingerprints and minor dings), and Color Coated.
PE (Polyester) or PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) coating in a wide variety of colors. These are commonly used for architectural roofing and facade panels.
Anodizing: An electrochemical process that increases surface hardness and corrosion resistance while also allowing for coloring.

 

Manufacturing Process of 3003 H18 Temper

 

The unique properties of H18 are created through a precise manufacturing process:

  • Melting and Casting: We start by melting high-purity aluminum ingots with the specified alloying elements.
  • Hot Rolling: The cast slab is passed through rollers at high temperatures to significantly reduce its thickness.
  • Cold Rolling: This is the key step. The sheet is then rolled at room temperature. This cold-working process compresses the metal's grain structure, which increases its hardness and strength. To achieve the H18 temper, the material is strain-hardened to its maximum practical extent.
  • Leveling and Cutting: The final coil is precision-leveled to ensure excellent flatness and then cut to your required sheet or coil dimensions.

 

Common Applications of 3003-H18 Aluminum


You will find the 3003-H18 aluminum sheet in many common applications where a flat, strong panel is needed:
Building and Construction:
Roofing Sheets: Their corrosion resistance and rigidity make them perfect for industrial and commercial standing seam or corrugated roofing.
Exterior Wall Panels (Cladding): Used in facade systems where flat, durable decorative panels are required.
Building and Construction:
Equipment Casings and Enclosures: Protects machinery and electronics.
Protective Plates and Shields: Used as kick plates or guards in high-traffic areas.
Transportation:
Truck Trailer Linings: The interior walls of truck trailers are often lined with 3003-H18 for impact resistance and durability.
Signage Boards: Provides a perfectly flat and weather-resistant backing for road signs and commercial signage.

 

Read more: What is 3003 H18 Aluminum Sheet Used For?

insulated-aluminum-roofing-sheet-panels-1 1
Building and Construction
CNC-Milling-Aluminum-Housing 1
Building and Construction
Truck and Trailer Side Panels
Transportation

 

Advantages vs. Other Tempers (H14, H24)

 

This is one of the most common questions we receive. Understanding the difference is key to choosing the right material.

Temper Strength Formability Typical Use
H14 Medium Good General-purpose applications requiring some bending and forming.
H24 Medium-High Moderate Structural panels or parts requiring limited forming.
H18 Highest Very Low Strictly flat applications: roofing, wall panels, flat stock.

 

Choosing the right temper is critical. Selecting H18 for a project that needs forming will lead to material failure and budget overruns. If you are unsure whether H18, H24, or H14 is the correct choice for your application, don't guess. Contact our technical team for a free material consultation to ensure you get it right the first time.

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Why Choose GNEE Aluminum

 

Our Quality Control Process

 

As a professional aluminum sheet supplier, we guarantee quality through rigorous inspection at every stage:

  • Chemical Composition Analysis: We test every melt to ensure it meets the 3003 alloy standard.
  • Mechanical Property Testing: We conduct tensile, yield, and elongation tests to verify the H18 temper.
  • Surface Quality Inspection: Every sheet is inspected for scratches, oil stains, or other defects.
  • Dimensional Tolerance Control: We use precision equipment to ensure thickness, width, and length are within the agreed-upon tolerances.
  • Third-Party Certification: We can provide inspection reports from SGS, BV, or other third-party agencies upon request.

 

3003 Aluminum Sheet

 

Packaging and Logistics for Global Shipping

 

We understand that protecting your material during transit is non-negotiable. Our standard export packaging is designed to prevent moisture, oxidation, and scratches.

  • Standard Packaging: Sheets are stacked on standard export wooden pallets. The entire package is wrapped in a waterproof plastic film with desiccant bags placed inside to absorb moisture.
  • Coil Packaging: Coils can be shipped eye-to-wall or eye-to-sky, with robust protection to prevent core damage and unwinding.
  • Custom Packaging: For high-value or surface-critical orders, we offer fully enclosed wooden crate packaging.

 

aluminum plate packaging

Packaging

 

Why Choose GNEE Aluminum?

 

  • Professional China-based Supplier: We have years of experience focusing exclusively on aluminum products.
  • Stable Inventory & Fast Delivery: We maintain a ready stock of common 3003-H18 specifications to ensure quick turnaround times.
  • Multiple Alloy Expertise: Beyond 3003, we are experts in 5052, 5083, 6061, and other major alloys.
  • Global Export Experience: We have successfully shipped to clients worldwide and understand the logistics and documentation requirements for your region.

 

Client Visit 2

 

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FAQ

 

Q: What is a 3003-H18 aluminum sheet?

A: 3003-H18 aluminum sheet is a fully work-hardened (full hard) aluminum-manganese alloy. It offers higher strength than softer tempers like H14 or H24, but has very limited formability.

A: No. Due to its full hard temper (H18), 3003-H18 aluminum has very low ductility and is not suitable for bending or deep drawing. For forming applications, H14 or H24 is recommended.

A: Welding is not recommended for 3003-H18 because the heat will reduce its mechanical strength. If welding is required, consider using softer tempers like 3003-H14.

Q: Is 3003-H18 corrosion-resistant?

A: Yes. Like other 3003 alloys, it provides excellent corrosion resistance, especially in atmospheric and mildly corrosive environments.

 

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