Among the wide applications of aluminum alloys, 3003 aluminum vs 6061 aluminum are two materials that have attracted much attention. 3003 aluminum is famous for its excellent corrosion resistance and good forming performance, while 6061 aluminum has become the darling of the industry due to its high strength and versatility. Faced with various needs, how to choose the right material?
This article will compare these two aluminum materials in detail from the aspects of chemical composition, mechanical properties, physical properties, price, application, etc., to help you make the right choice.
If you have any purchasing needs, please feel free to contact Huaxiao Metal to get the latest quotes for 3003 aluminum alloy and 6061 aluminum alloy!
What is 3003 Aluminum Alloy?
3003 aluminum is an aluminum-manganese alloy, which belongs to the typical rust-proof aluminum alloy series. It contains about 1.2% manganese, which gives it good corrosion resistance and certain strength. It is light in weight and has excellent machinability, especially suitable for cold cold-forming process. It is an economical and general aluminum.
Key Characteristics:
Excellent Corrosion Resistance: Considered the quintessential rust-resistant aluminum, it is particularly suitable for use in humid, high-humidity environments.
Excellent Formability: In the cold-worked state (e.g., H14), it exhibits high ductility, making it easy to deep-draw, bend, and weld.
Moderate Strength: Its strength is approximately 20% higher than pure aluminum (1xxx series), but significantly lower than that of 6xxx series.
Common Tempers:
3003-H14: Achieves moderate hardness through cold working, offering good formability and rust resistance.
3003-O: Fully annealed state, with the lowest strength but the best plasticity, suitable for extremely complex forming or deep drawing.
What is 6061 Aluminum Alloy?
6061 aluminum is an aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy known for its high strength, good mechanical properties and welding performance. It can significantly improve its hardness and strength through heat treatment while maintaining good corrosion resistance. It is a high-performance aluminum material suitable for a variety of complex industrial needs.
Core Properties:
High Strength and Hardness: The T6 temper, in particular, offers exceptionally high yield strength, making it suitable for structural applications.
Excellent Weldability: It offers excellent general-purpose weldability and is one of the few aluminum alloys that is both easily weldable and high-strength.
Good Machinability: It exhibits excellent machinability.
Common Tempers:
6061-T6: Solution heat treated and artificially aged, achieving maximum strength and hardness, making it the standard temper for structural applications.
6061-T4: Solution heat treated and then naturally aged, achieving moderate strength and improved ductility, allowing for easy machining before the T6 temper.
3003 Aluminum Vs 6061: What’s the Difference?
Composition of 3003 Aluminum Vs 6061:
| Element | 3003 Aluminum | 6061 Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Al | 96.8% – 99% | 95.8% – 98.6% |
| Mn | 1.0% – 1.5% | Max 0.15% |
| Mg | Max 0.05% | 0.8% – 1.2% |
| Si | Max 0.6% | 0.4% – 0.8% |
| Cu | Max 0.2% | 0.15% – 0.40% |
| Cr | — | 0.04% – 0.35% |
| Fe | Max 0.7% | Max 0.7% |
3003 aluminum alloy is a typical manganese alloy with good anti-rust ability, while 6061 aluminum alloy belongs to aluminum-magnesium-silicon heat-treatable alloy with excellent comprehensive performance and can be strengthened by T6 heat treatment.
Mechanical Properties: Aluminum 3003 vs. 6061
| Property | 3003 H14 | 3003 H12 | 3003 H16 | 3003 H18 | 6061 T6 | 6061 T4 | 6061 T5 | 6061 O |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) | 145 – 195 MPa | 135 – 175 MPa | 160 – 200 MPa | 170 – 210 MPa | 290 – 310 MPa | 180 – 250 MPa | 250 – 300 MPa | 130 – 180 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 120 MPa | 110 MPa | 130 MPa | 150 MPa | 240 MPa | 140 – 210 MPa | 210 – 260 MPa | 45 – 75 MPa |
| Elongation | 10% – 15% | 15% – 20% | 5% – 10% | 3% – 5% | 8% – 12% | 15% – 18% | 12% – 15% | 25% – 30% |
| Brinell Hardness | ~45 HB | ~45 HB | ~50 HB | ~55 HB | ~95 HB | ~60 – 75 HB | ~75 – 85 HB | ~25 – 40 HB |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 68.9 GPa | 68.9 GPa | 68.9 GPa | 68.9 GPa | 68.9 GPa | 68.9 GPa | 68.9 GPa | 68.9 GPa |
It can be seen that the 6061 aluminum alloy is significantly better than the 3003 aluminum alloy in terms of strength and hardness, so 6061 is more suitable for situations that require load-bearing or structural support. 3003 has more advantages in formability and ductility and is suitable for deep drawing and stretching processes.
Physical Properties Comparison: Aluminum 3003 vs. 6061
| Property | 3003 Aluminum | 6061 Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.73 g/cm³ | 2.70 g/cm³ |
| Thermal Conductivity | 222 W/m·K | 167 W/m·K |
| Melting Point | 643 – 654°C | 582 – 652°C |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Good |
| Electrical Conductivity | 41% IACS | 43% IACS |
Cost of 3003 Aluminum Vs 6061:
3003 aluminum is cheaper than 6061.
3003 aluminum is relatively cheap in the market due to its low production cost, making it an economical choice.
6061 aluminum is relatively more expensive due to its stronger comprehensive performance, but its high strength and versatility bring higher cost performance.
Want to know the real-time price of 3003 aluminum alloy and 6061 aluminum alloy? Feel free to contact Huaxiao Metal to get aluminum prices and inventory information now!
Weldability and Processability of 3003 Aluminum Vs 6061:
3003 aluminum alloy has excellent welding performance and cold forming performance, is suitable for welding using traditional welding techniques (such as TIG, MIG), and has good connection performance under low strength requirements.
6061 aluminum alloy has good welding performance but requires heat treatment or aging after welding to restore strength. Welding in the T6 state will soften and should be used with caution.
If your project requires complex bending, stamping, or welding processes, Huaxiao Metal recommends using 3003 aluminum; if you have higher requirements for strength and rigidity, you should choose 6061 aluminum.
Corrosion Resistanceof 3003 Aluminum Vs 6061:
Due to its manganese content, 3003 aluminum alloy has good corrosion resistance and is suitable for corrosion-sensitive environments such as food, the chemical industry, and interior decoration.
Although 6061 aluminum alloy also has good oxidation resistance, its corrosion resistance is slightly inferior to 3003, especially in welded parts.
If your use scenario is in a humid, high-humidity, or chemical environment, it is recommended to give priority to the 3003 aluminum sheet.
Application of 3003 Aluminum Vs 6061:
3003 Aluminum:
Suitable for scenes with high requirements for corrosion resistance, such as:
- Food packaging (beverage cans, canned containers)
- Chemical storage tanks
- Roofing materials, wall panels
- Household appliance parts
6061 Aluminum:
Suitable for scenes with high strength and complex processing requirements, such as:
- Building frames and supports
- Ship parts and automotive parts
- Aerospace equipment
- Mold manufacturing
Aluminum 3003 h14 vs 6061 t6:
3003 H14: Moderate hardness, good oxidation resistance, rust resistance, easy to cold work.
6061 T6: Significantly improved hardness and strength, suitable for load-bearing structures, but more difficult to cold work.
T4 vs T6 vs H14
Aluminum Alloy Temper
Tempering is a code that describes the mechanical or thermal treatment that results in the desired performance state of an aluminum alloy. It is crucial in determining the final properties of 3003 vs. 6061.
Non-Heat-Treated Tempering (3003 Series):
H14: This represents a temper achieved through work hardening (cold rolling/stretching) to achieve moderate strength, followed by a light annealing (stabilization). This is the most common temper for 3003, offering a balance between strength and formability.
H18: This is the cold-worked temper with the highest strength and lowest ductility.
Heat-Treated Tempering (6061 Series):
T4: Solution heat treated followed by natural aging (slowly increasing strength at room temperature). This temper offers good strength and workability, and many complex parts are formed in the T4 temper.
T6: Solution heat treated followed by artificial aging. This is the temper in which 6061 can achieve its highest strength, maximizing structural strength and hardness, but sacrificing formability.
Huaxiao Metal recommends: For 6061 parts that require complex cold processing, we generally recommend purchasing 6061-T4 for machining, followed by T6 heat treatment. For simple profiles or plates, we recommend purchasing 6061-T6 directly to save on secondary processing costs.
Conclusion: Which Is the Better Choice?
Whether to choose 3003 aluminum or 6061 aluminum depends on your specific needs:
Scenarios for choosing 3003 aluminum:
If the project requires high corrosion resistance, economy, and easy-to-form materials, 3003 aluminum is the best choice.
Typical industries: food processing, building decoration, chemical storage tanks.
Scenario for choosing 6061 aluminum:
If the project has high requirements for strength, hardness, and versatility, 6061 aluminum is more suitable.
Typical industries: aerospace, automotive industry, mechanical equipment.
Whether you choose 3003 aluminum vs 6061 aluminum, they can show excellent performance in different fields.
Huaxiao Metal provides high-quality 3003 aluminum (H14 state) and 6061 aluminum (T6 state), with sufficient stock and favorable prices. Feel free to contact us for professional material selection suggestions and the latest quotes!
FAQ - 3003 vs 6061
What are the main differences between 3003 aluminum and 6061 aluminum?
The primary differences are strength and corrosion resistance.
6061 aluminum alloy is a heat-treated, hardened type with higher strength and hardness (especially in the T6 temper), making it suitable for structural and load-bearing applications.
3003 aluminum alloy is a non-heat-treatable type with moderate strength but excellent corrosion resistance and formability, making it suitable for containers and decorative applications.
Why is 6061-T6 more expensive than 3003-H14?
The price difference primarily stems from the production process:
Alloying elements: 6061 contains more magnesium and silicon, resulting in slightly higher raw material costs.
Heat treatment costs: 6061 requires complex solution heat treatment and artificial aging (T6 process) to achieve high strength. This increases energy consumption and production time, resulting in a higher final price than 3003-H14, which requires only simple cold working.
Can 3003 aluminum be used for structural parts?
Generally not recommended. Although 3003 is approximately 20% stronger than pure aluminum, its yield strength and tensile strength are significantly lower than 6061-T6. For structural parts subject to heavy loads, impact, or safety requirements (such as vehicle frames and bridge components), 6061 aluminum alloy is the right choice. 3003 is more suitable for non-load-bearing decorative or container applications.
Does 6061 aluminum alloy lose its T6 strength after welding?
Yes. During the welding process, the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of 6061-T6 is annealed due to the high temperatures, causing it to lose its original T6 high-strength state. Post-weld heat treatment and aging are necessary to restore its mechanical properties. If the project does not allow for secondary heat treatment, consider using a 5xxx series alloy (such as 5083), which retains its high strength after welding.
If the project has high corrosion requirements, which type of aluminum should I choose?
3003 aluminum alloy is the preferred choice. Due to its high manganese content, 3003 is recognized as a typical rust-resistant aluminum and offers superior corrosion resistance compared to 6061 in humid environments, fresh water, and certain chemical media. If the project requires high strength and is corrosion-sensitive, 6061 can be enhanced with high-quality anodizing to enhance its surface corrosion resistance.
Does Huaxiao Metal offer custom thickness or size cutting for 3003 and 6061?
Yes. Huaxiao Metal offers professional custom aluminum alloy fabrication services. We can not only provide various standard forms (sheets, bars, and tubes) of 3003-H14 and 6061-T6 according to your drawings, but also provide one-stop metal fabrication services, including precision cutting to length, stamping, and anodizing. Please contact our sales team to discuss your customized solution.
As a professional aluminum alloy supplier, Huaxiao Metal not only offers high-quality 3003 aluminum alloy and 6061 aluminum alloy, but also strives to provide comprehensive material solutions.
Huaxiao Metal’s Competitive Advantages
Professional Inventory and Customization Services: We maintain a sufficient year-round inventory of 3003-H14 and 6061-T6 in various product forms, including sheet, wire, rod, and tube. We also offer professional custom sizing, cutting, and surface treatment services.
Full-Chain Quality Control: All materials comply with ASTM/EN/JIS international standards. We provide detailed Material Quality Certificates (MTCs) to ensure your materials meet the highest standards of mechanical properties and chemical composition.
Technical Support and Consulting: Our team of material experts, with extensive industry experience, can provide recommendations on the optimal choice of 3003 vs. 6061 aluminum based on your specific project needs, avoiding material waste and project delays.
Get Quotes and Technical Support Easily
Whether you need economical, corrosion-resistant 3003 aluminum alloy for storage tanks or high-strength, structurally reliable 6061 aluminum alloy for precision machinery, Huaxiao Metal can provide you with the most competitive pricing and fastest delivery.
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