Aluminum 3004 is an alloy of aluminum-manganese with moderate strength, good formability and weldability. It has a wide range of applications and is used in many industries. This article will provide you with all the information you need to know about this alloy, including its composition, mechanical properties, physical properties, uses corrosion resistance, heat resistance, heat treatment and machining. Read on to find out why Aluminum 3004 is one of the most popular aluminium alloys.
3004 Aluminium Alloy Composition
Al 3004 consists mainly of aluminum (99% minimum) plus manganese (0.8% maximum). It also contains silicon (0.6%), chromium (0.05%), iron (0.7%), copper (0.2%) and other elements in trace amounts that help improve its mechanical properties and workability.
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Aluminium / Aluminum , Al | 97.8 |
| Manganese, Mn | 1.2 |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1 |
3004 Aluminium Mechanical Properties
Grade 3004 has a tensile strength of 275 MPa and a yield strength of 170 MPa. Its elongation at break is 10%. Its hardness measured on the Brinell scale is 70HBW or less, while its fatigue strength range is between 60-100MPa, depending on the thickness of the material being tested. Its shear modulus ranges from 25-30 GPa, while its thermal conductivity ranges from 140-175 W/mK, depending on temperature and pressure levels.
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 215 MPa | 31183 psi |
| Yield strength | 170 MPa | 24656 psi |
| Shear strength | 115 MPa | 16680 psi |
| Fatigue strength | 105 MPa | 15229 psi |
| Elastic modulus | 70-80 GPa | 10153-11603 ksi |
| Poisson’s ratio | 0.33 | 0.33 |
| Elongation | 10% | 10% |
| Hardness | 52 | 52 |
3004 Aluminium Physical Properties
Alloy 3004 has a density of 2.71 g/cm3, making it lightweight yet strong enough for industrial use. Its melting point is 645°C while its boiling point is 2450°C making it suitable for high-temperature applications such as valves, flanges and engine components that are exposed to extremely hot temperatures during their operation period.
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.6-2.8 g/cm3 | 0.0939- 0.101 lb/in3 |
| Melting point | 633°C | 1170°F |
3004 Aluminium Thermal Properties
| Properties | Conditions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| T (ºC) | Treatment | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 162 W/mK | 25 | – |
3004 Aluminium Equivalent
- ASTM B209
- ASTM B221
- ASTM B313
- ASTM B547
- ASTM B548
- SAE J454
3004 Aluminium Uses
Due to its low cost and excellent formability, Aluminium 3004 can be used for a wide range of applications in multiple industries, including construction, automotive manufacturing, aerospace engineering and electronics industry, among others. It can be used for making machine components such as gears due to its high ductility, which allows it to be formed into complex shapes without any difficulty or loss in quality or performance characteristics over time. It can also be used for making window frames since it offers good corrosion resistance even when exposed to air containing salt vapours or moisture which makes it ideal for outdoor applications where exposure to moisture cannot be avoided completely, like balconies or patios located near salty water bodies like oceans or seas etc.
Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum 3004 offers excellent corrosion resistance even when exposed to air containing salt vapours or moisture, making it ideal for structures near salty water bodies like oceans or seas etc. Due to its high ductility, which allows it to be formed into complex shapes without any difficulty or loss in quality over time as well as its good welding ability, make it an ideal choice for a variety of structural components that require corrosion protection but still need their shape maintained over time such as window frames etc.
Heat Resistance
Aluminium 3004 has a melting point of 645°C, so it can be used in environments with extreme temperatures up to 2450°C without any loss in performance characteristics over time due to its excellent heat resistance property, which makes it suitable for valve components that are often exposed to extremely hot temperatures during their operation period etc.
Heat Treatment
The alloy can also be heat treated by means of solution treatment followed by the artificial ageing process if required; however, this should only be done under special circumstances since heat treatment may lead to changes in mechanical properties such as increased hardness but reduced ductility etc.
Machining
Aluminum 3004 has excellent machinability despite being slightly harder than other aluminium alloys due to manganese content; however, care should still be taken when machining tools made out of this alloy because of the sudden increase in cutting speed may lead to excessive tool wear resulting into poor surface finish etc.
Welding
The alloy can also be welded using conventional welding techniques. However, precautions must again taken whenever welding operations involving this alloy are performed since presence manganese content may lead welds having porosity issues if proper care not taken while welding etc.
Conclusion
In short, Aluminium 3004 is an affordable yet strong aluminum alloy with moderate strength, good formability and weldability, making it suitable for use in multiple industries ranging from construction through automotive manufacturing right up till aerospace engineering etc. The alloy also offers excellent corrosion resistance even when exposed to extreme temperatures up to 2450°C, so it can often be used in valve components that are regularly exposed to hot temperatures during their operation period etc. Finally, manganese content within this alloy’s composition provides improved machinability, although care must still be taken whenever machining operations involving this material are performed; otherwise may cause tool wear, leading to poor surface finish problems, etc. All these features combined make Aluminium 3004 one of the most popular aluminium alloys currently available today; therefore, it is worth considering if looking something affordable yet strong enough to handle tough tasks assigned them…!
Meet Heer, a dynamic and driven writer learning tricks of her trade in the metal industry. With a background in Digital Marketing, Heer brings a unique perspective to her writing, sharing valuable insights. Apart from blogging she like reading and hiking.
