3004 Aluminum Roll Forming Material Guide: Properties, Coil Sizes & Applications

3004 Aluminum Roll Forming Material

1. Overview of 3004 Aluminum in Roll Forming

3004 aluminum is a medium-strength aluminum alloy in the 3000 series (Aluminum-Manganese-Magnesium), offering higher strength than 3003 while maintaining good formability and corrosion resistance.

It is widely used in roll forming for roofing panels, wall cladding, and structural profiles where additional strength is required without significantly increasing weight.

Compared to 3003, 3004 aluminum provides improved load-bearing capability, making it suitable for longer spans and more demanding applications.

2. Material Composition & Structure

3004 aluminum consists of:

Aluminum base metal
Manganese (~1.0–1.5%)
Magnesium (~0.8–1.3%)

Composition (Typical):

Aluminum: ~96–97%
Manganese: 1.0–1.5%
Magnesium: 0.8–1.3%

Structure:

Homogeneous alloy
No coating unless processed further

3. Available Coil Specifications

Thickness Range

0.4mm – 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: 120 – 280 MPa
Tensile Strength: 200 – 350 MPa
Elongation: 10% – 25%
Hardness: 50 – 100 HB

Common Tempers:

H14 / H24
H16 / H18
H32

5. Coating Types (IF APPLICABLE)

3004 aluminum can be supplied as:

Mill Finish

Natural aluminum surface

Painted 3004 Aluminum

PE, SMP, PVDF coatings

Anodized 3004 Aluminum

Enhanced durability

Embossed 3004 Aluminum

Textured surface

Cost Level

Medium to high

6. Surface Finishes

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

7. Common Roll Forming Applications

3004 aluminum is used in:

Roofing panels (standing seam, trapezoidal)
Wall cladding systems
Structural panels
Insulated panel skins
Industrial buildings
Transportation components

8. Advantages of 3004 Aluminum

Higher strength than 3003
Good corrosion resistance
Lightweight
Suitable for longer spans
Good formability
Durable in outdoor environments

9. Disadvantages / Limitations

Slightly harder to form than 3003
Higher cost than 3003
Not as strong as 5000 or 6000 series
Can crack in tight bends (hard tempers)

10. Roll Forming Machine Considerations

Roll Tooling

Polished rollers required
Slightly higher forming force needed

Speed

15–50 m/min

Lubrication

Often recommended

Cutting

Flying shear or hydraulic shear
Sharp blades essential

Common Issues

Springback
Surface scratching
Coil camber
Edge cracking (hard tempers)

11. Common Problems in Production

Springback affecting profile accuracy
Surface scratching
Oil canning in wide panels
Coil tracking issues
Edge cracking in high-strength tempers

12. Pricing Guide

Typical global pricing:

Low: $1900–$2600 per ton
Medium: $2600–$3500 per ton
High: $3500–$5000+ per ton

Factors affecting price:

Temper
Thickness
Coating (if applied)
Global aluminum pricing

13. Comparison with Other Materials

3004 vs 3003 Aluminum

3004 = stronger
3003 = easier to form

3004 vs 5052 Aluminum

3004 = better formability
5052 = higher strength and corrosion resistance

3004 vs Steel

Aluminum = lighter
Steel = stronger and cheaper

14. Best Industries Using 3004 Aluminum

Construction
Roofing and cladding
Industrial buildings
Transportation
Prefabricated structures

15. How to Choose 3004 Aluminum

Choose 3004 When:

Higher strength than 3003 required
Roofing and cladding applications
Longer spans needed
Outdoor durability required

Avoid When:

Maximum formability required (use 3003)
High structural loads (use 5000/6000 series)
Budget is limited

16. FAQ Section

What is 3004 aluminum?

An aluminum alloy with added magnesium for increased strength.

Is 3004 stronger than 3003?

Yes, it offers higher strength.

Is 3004 good for roll forming?

Yes, widely used for roofing and panels.

Does 3004 corrode?

It has excellent corrosion resistance.

What temper is best for roll forming?

H14, H24, and H32 are common.

17. Machine Matcher Section

We supply roll forming machines for all material types including 3004 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
0.4–3.0mm

Yield Strength
120–280 MPa

Coil Width
600–1500mm

Coil ID
508 / 610mm