3003 Aluminum Roll Forming Material Guide: Properties, Coil Sizes & Applications

3003 Aluminum Roll Forming Material

1. Overview of 3003 Aluminum in Roll Forming

3003 aluminum is the most commonly used aluminum alloy in roll forming due to its excellent balance of formability, corrosion resistance, and cost.

It belongs to the 3000 series (Aluminum-Manganese alloys) and is widely used in construction, HVAC systems, and general fabrication. Compared to pure aluminum, 3003 offers improved strength while maintaining high workability.

In roll forming, 3003 aluminum is ideal for roofing panels, wall cladding, insulation systems, and lightweight structural profiles.

2. Material Composition & Structure

3003 aluminum consists of:

Aluminum base metal
Manganese alloying element (~1.0–1.5%)

Composition (Typical):

Aluminum: ~97%
Manganese: 1.0–1.5%
Copper: small amounts

Structure:

Homogeneous alloy
No coating unless further processed

3. Available Coil Specifications

Thickness Range

0.3mm – 3.0mm

Coil Width

600mm – 1500mm

Coil Weight

2 tons – 8 tons

Coil ID / OD

ID: 508mm / 610mm
OD: up to 1400mm

Tolerance

Excellent flatness
Tight thickness control

4. Mechanical Properties

Typical values:

Yield Strength: 70 – 200 MPa
Tensile Strength: 110 – 240 MPa
Elongation: 10% – 30%
Hardness: 40 – 80 HB

Common Tempers:

H14 (half hard)
H24
H16 / H18 (harder tempers)

5. Coating Types (IF APPLICABLE)

3003 aluminum can be supplied as:

Mill Finish

Raw aluminum surface

Painted 3003 Aluminum

PE, SMP, PVDF coatings

Anodized 3003 Aluminum

Enhanced durability

Embossed 3003 Aluminum

Textured surface

Cost Level

Medium

6. Surface Finishes

Mill finish
Painted (gloss, matte, textured)
Anodized
Embossed
Brushed

7. Common Roll Forming Applications

3003 aluminum is used in:

Roofing panels
Wall cladding systems
HVAC ducting and insulation
Flashing and trims
Gutters and downpipes
Industrial panels

8. Advantages of 3003 Aluminum

Excellent formability
Good corrosion resistance
Lightweight
Cost-effective compared to other alloys
Easy to roll form
Widely available

9. Disadvantages / Limitations

Lower strength than 5000 or 6000 series
Not suitable for heavy structural applications
Can dent easily
Limited load-bearing capacity

10. Roll Forming Machine Considerations

Roll Tooling

Polished rollers required
Prevent surface marking

Speed

20–60 m/min

Lubrication

Often recommended

Cutting

Flying shear or hydraulic shear
Sharp blades required

Common Issues

Surface scratching
Springback
Coil camber
Oil canning

11. Common Problems in Production

Surface scratching
Oil canning in panels
Springback affecting dimensions
Coil tracking issues
Edge cracking (in harder tempers)

12. Pricing Guide

Typical global pricing:

Low: $1800–$2400 per ton
Medium: $2400–$3200 per ton
High: $3200–$4500+ per ton

Factors affecting price:

Temper (H14, H24, etc.)
Thickness
Coating (if applied)
Global aluminum prices

13. Comparison with Other Materials

3003 vs 5052 Aluminum

3003 = better formability
5052 = higher strength

3003 vs Steel

Aluminum = lighter, corrosion resistant
Steel = stronger, cheaper

3003 vs 3004 Aluminum

3003 = easier forming
3004 = stronger

14. Best Industries Using 3003 Aluminum

Construction
HVAC industry
Industrial manufacturing
Roofing and cladding
Prefabricated buildings

15. How to Choose 3003 Aluminum

Choose 3003 When:

Good formability required
Corrosion resistance needed
Lightweight material desired
General roll forming applications

Avoid When:

High strength required
Structural load-bearing applications
Heavy-duty environments

16. FAQ Section

What is 3003 aluminum?

An aluminum-manganese alloy widely used in roll forming.

Is 3003 good for roll forming?

Yes, it is one of the best alloys for forming.

Is 3003 aluminum strong?

Moderate strength, not structural grade.

Does 3003 aluminum corrode?

It has excellent corrosion resistance.

What is the best temper for roll forming?

H14 and H24 are most common.

17. Machine Matcher Section

We supply roll forming machines for all material types including 3003 aluminum.

Custom-built machines to your profile
New machines built to specification
Global delivery available
UK and USA technical support

Contact:
Machine Matcher
Sales & Technical Team

Quick Specs

Thickness
0.3–3.0mm

Yield Strength
70–200 MPa

Coil Width
600–1500mm

Coil ID
508 / 610mm