Aluminum is the most plentiful element in the Earth's crust, and its metallic form is highly sought. Aluminum alloys are metals with unique characteristics that have a wide range of applications. To improve the material's characteristics, aluminum is alloyed with magnesium and copper. The Aluminum Association classifies them into four categories depending on their alloying components and general properties. This essay will discuss one of the most frequently used aluminum alloys, 3003, in particular. Manganese is the primary alloying element in the 3xxx alloy class. By exploring the alloy's physical features, strengths, and applications, this article will demonstrate its adaptability.

Aluminum alloys have a variety of physical qualities that vary according on the alloying components utilized. Alloys with fewer than 4% alloying elements are wrought, while those containing up to 22% are cast. This page discusses solely wrought alloys, but their reinforcement method distinguishes them. Certain wrought alloys can be heat-treated (for more information, see our page on aluminum alloy 7075) or work-hardened (occasionally referred to as "cold-worked"). Heat treatment is not possible with 3xxx alloys; they can only be strengthened through work hardening. Mechanical deformation modifies the metal's molecular structure (rolling, hammering, etc.). For additional information, please read about 5052 aluminum alloy, another typical non-heat treatable alloy. There are various forms of 3003 aluminum alloy, but we will focus on one: 3003 aluminum that has been hardened to H18 (3003-H18).

Aluminum alloy 3003 has 0.12 percent copper, 1.2 percent manganese, and 98.6 percent aluminum. These percentages fluctuate according to the manufacturing process of the aluminum alloy, and other trace impurities occur naturally. Because only a trace amount of manganese (1.5 percent Mn) can be successfully added to aluminum to form an alloy, the 3003 aluminum alloy has a simple composition. Aluminum 3003 has a density of 2.73 g/cm3 (0.0986 lb/in3).

When specifying 3003 aluminum, it is critical to know the yield, ultimate, and shear strengths. While all mechanical metrics are taken from the 3003-H18 aluminum alloy, the strength values change according on the hardening process. This section and Table 1 outline the pertinent measures.

The yield and ultimate strengths indicate the maximum stress encountered during deformation. 3003 aluminum alloy has a maximum strength of 200 MPa (29,000 psi). The yield strength indicates the maximum stress that can be applied before plastic (or permanent) deformation occurs (structures, architectural, etc.). The ultimate stress that can occur during plastic deformation. For additional information, please see our article on the 7075 aluminum alloy.

Shearing is a regular occurrence with the 3003 aluminum alloy. Consider scissors cutting paper to visualize these pressures. When the scissor blades close, the paper is distorted or "cut." Comparable to paper cutting, except that the machinery is significantly larger and the material used is aluminum rather than paper. Shear strength is critical for sheet metal alloys such as 3003 aluminum. Aluminum alloy 3003 is easy to form due to its shear strength of 110 MPa (16,000 psi).

A material's modulus of elasticity and shear modulus determine its response to stresses (or forces). These results from empirical stress tests are calculated using a stress vs. strain curve. Similar to a rubber band, an aluminum piece will contract and then snap back to its original shape. Elastic modulus and shear modulus are defined as the slopes of these graphs in the elastic zone. This slope indicates a material's resistance to deformation and can be used to determine the overall strength of a material. 3003 aluminum has an elasticity modulus of 68.9 GPa (10,000 ksi) and a shear modulus of 25 GPa (3630 ksi).