# 3003-H14 aluminum

The H14 work-hardened condition, thickness-specific property limits, forming, welding/HAZ softening, and corrosion boundaries for wrought 3003 aluminum.

Reviewed: 2026-11-01

Tags: materials, aluminum, aluminum-manganese, sheet-metal, non-heat-treatable

## Identify alloy and condition separately

Kaiser's 3003-H14 **tube and pipe** data (Rev. 05/06) give **152 MPa ultimate, 145 MPa yield, and 16% elongation over 4D** as typical. The tensile heading specifies a **0.0625-inch-diameter specimen**. Use the separate thickness-specific sheet or coil requirements for receiving. [Kaiser typical tube and pipe properties](https://online.kaiseraluminum.com/depot/PublicProductInformation/Document/1036/Kaiser_Aluminum_3003_Tube_and_Pipe.pdf)

**3003-H14** combines a wrought alloy designation with a supplied temper. The Aluminum Association's **December 2025 Teal Sheets** register 3003 with **1.0–1.5% manganese** and **0.05–0.20% copper** by mass, aluminum as the remainder, and limits including 0.6% silicon, 0.7% iron, and 0.10% zinc. Those composition limits do not establish the product's strength, thickness tolerance, finish, or suitability for a particular part. [Aluminum Association 3003 registration](https://www.aluminum.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/Teal%20Sheets%20December%202025.pdf)

3003 belongs to the non-heat-treatable aluminum-manganese family: cold work increases strength while reducing ductility. Sheet, coil, tread plate, and tube are different product descriptions, even where the alloy and temper match. Do not turn a supplier's general application list into a pressure, structural, food-contact, or chemical-service approval. [BlueScope Distribution 3003 overview](https://www.bluescopedistribution.com.au/products/aluminium/aluminium-3003-data-sheet/)

## What H14 means

The Australian Aluminium Council's **Rolled Products Manual, January 2024**, defines **H1** as strain-hardened only, without supplementary thermal treatment to obtain the desired properties. The final **4** denotes half-hard: ultimate strength about midway between the annealed and fully hard conditions in the temper system. It does **not** mean 50% thickness reduction, half the yield strength of every H18 product, or a measured hardness value. H24 follows a different route involving partial annealing and must retain its own designation. [AAC temper definitions, pp. 9–10](https://aluminium.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rolled-Products-Manual-Final-Version-Feb24.pdf)

Keep the temper with each cut blank and material record. Forming, local heating, welding, or a later anneal can change the condition of the finished part. An incoming H14 certificate documents the supplied stock; it cannot certify every subsequently processed region as H14.

## Mechanical limits depend on thickness and form

Almetals' coil-stock reference labels its table **mechanical property limits**. Its H14 rows list **20–26 ksi ultimate tensile strength** and **17 ksi minimum yield strength**, but elongation in 2 inches varies with specified thickness. The page credits Aluminum Association data, does not identify its edition, and restricts its information to reference guidance rather than product design. Confirm acceptance against the ordered specification. [Almetals 3003 coil-stock reference](https://almetals.com/metals/aluminum-suppliers/3003-aluminum-coil-stock.aspx)

| Specified thickness in the reference | H14 elongation in 2 inches |
| --- | --- |
| 0.009–0.012 in | 1% |
| 0.020–0.031 in | 3% |
| 0.051–0.113 in | 5% |
| 0.162–0.249 in | 7% |

A thickness change can therefore change the relevant elongation row even when the alloy and temper are unchanged. Do not infer bend performance directly from one tensile elongation number: specimen geometry, gauge length, material direction, and the forming operation remain relevant.

The same Kaiser document gives nominal density **2.73 g/cm³ at 20°C** and modulus **69 GPa**. Its quoted thermal conductivity of **193 W/(m·K) at 20°C** is specifically for **O temper**. Preserve that condition instead of silently relabeling every physical-property entry as H14. [Kaiser typical physical properties, pp. 1–2](https://online.kaiseraluminum.com/depot/PublicProductInformation/Document/1036/Kaiser_Aluminum_3003_Tube_and_Pipe.pdf)

## Forming and surface requirements

BlueScope's recommended minimum radii for **90° cold forming** give **1t for H14 sheet at 3.2 mm thickness**. The stated method uses a standard press brake with air-bend dies; the recommendations address bending without fracture, and the supplier warns that other methods and tooling can change the outcome. The web sheet is undated and cites AS/NZS 1734:1997, reconfirmed 2020, among its references. [BlueScope bend-radius table and limitations](https://www.bluescopedistribution.com.au/products/aluminium/aluminium-3003-data-sheet/)

**Illustrative calculation:** at the cited 3.2 mm gauge, 1t corresponds to a recommended radius of **3.2 mm**. That arithmetic does not prove a finished flange meets its angle, dimensional, surface, or fatigue requirements. Qualify the actual rolling direction, tooling, bend sequence, and material batch; inspect representative parts for cracks, springback, thinning, and marks as applicable.

BlueScope also notes possible discoloration when anodizing H14. If color or appearance matters, approve a representative finish sample rather than accepting the alloy's general anodizing description as a cosmetic guarantee. [BlueScope finishing guidance](https://www.bluescopedistribution.com.au/products/aluminium/aluminium-3003-data-sheet/)

## Joining and the heat-affected zone

Austral Wright identifies TIG/GTAW and MIG/GMAW as usable joining processes for 3003, with 4043 and 1100 as common fillers, and notes differences in weld strength and anodized color match. These are selection leads, not a universal filler prescription. Evaluate the actual mating alloy, service, joint design, finish, and welding procedure. [Austral Wright 3003 welding guidance](https://www.australwright.com.au/products/aluminium/aluminium-data-sheet/)

ESAB's **September 19, 2024** technical guidance explains that welding heat can anneal the HAZ of strain-hardened, non-heat-treatable aluminum. Consequently, an H14 parent-stock strength should not be assigned unchanged across a welded joint. Separate unaffected base metal, weld metal, and HAZ in the assessment; use the applicable joint properties and qualification requirements. Post-weld aging is not a generic method for restoring the original cold-worked H14 condition. [ESAB work hardening and HAZ behavior](https://esab.com/us/nam_en/esab-university/articles/discover-how-arc-welding-affects-the-haz-of-the-weld/)

For a brazed, bonded, or mechanically fastened assembly, assess that process separately. A favorable weldability rating does not establish braze-cycle strength retention, adhesive durability, or fastener-bearing capacity.

## Corrosion and purchase boundaries

Austral Wright describes good general corrosion resistance for 3003 while warning that electrical contact with other metals can accelerate corrosion. Its undated supplier sheet is not a fluid-by-fluid compatibility chart. Check the actual chemicals, temperature, wetting, crevices, contact metals, and required protective system. Favorable general corrosion behavior does not establish resistance to every cleaner or service environment. [Austral Wright 3003 corrosion guidance](https://www.australwright.com.au/products/aluminium/aluminium-data-sheet/)

An actionable order records **3003-H14**, product form, dimensions and tolerances, governing specification/edition, finish, and required certification. Match certificate results to the relevant thickness band, test direction, specimen basis, and specified statistic. Retain material identity and process history through final inspection. Resolve an offered O, H24, different thickness, or different product form as a substitution before release, even when its chemistry matches.

## Related reference

[Grades, tempers, and conditions](../grades-tempers-and-conditions.md)