Aluminium alloy 3103 3103
Al-Mn wrought alloy, 3103 (EN AW-3103 family): Mn 0.90 to 1.50, Fe max 0.70, Cu max 0.10, Mg max 0.05 (Smiths) or max 0.30 (Righton and AircraftMaterials), Si max 0.50, Zn max 0.20, Cr max 0.10, Ti+Zr max 0.10, other elements max 0.05 each and 0.15 total, Al balance (wt%)
Also known as UNS A93103, EN 3.0515, EN name EN AW-3103, DIN AlMn1, AA 3103
3103 is a wrought aluminium-manganese alloy (UNS A93103, also EN AW-3103) with 0.90 to 1.50 wt% manganese as the main alloying element and aluminium as the balance.
Evidence level
2 of 5
Lab-measured
- 0Predicted only. No one has made it, or no measurement exists.
- 1Calculated. Only calculated or predicted values from sources.
- 2Lab-measured. Measured properties with their conditions stated.
- 3Space-relevant tests. Measured in conditions relevant to space, such as vacuum or atomic oxygen.
- 4Ground-qualified. Qualified for an application on the ground.
- 5Flown or field-proven. Flight or field results exist.
Carry load in H14
140 MPa min tensile
Carry load in H16
160 to 195 N/mm2 tensile
Weight
2.73 g/cm3
Heat
160 W/m.K
Recipe, share of the weight
- Al not statedAluminium
- Mn not statedManganese
- Fe not statedIron
- Cu not statedCopper
- Mg not statedMagnesium
- Si not statedSilicon
Best for
Heat exchangers, radiators and formed sheet that need moderate strength, good weldability and resistance to atmospheric corrosion (Smiths lists these uses)
Weakest at
Strength falls with the softer tempers (O is 90 to 130 N/mm2 against 160 to 195 N/mm2 in H16), and the sources read here give no measured corrosion test data for this alloy
Risk at a glance
- People Low. Dust and fume warnings
- If it fails High. Dust explosion during machining or grinding
- Corrosion Low. Smiths rates the corrosion resistance of 3103 as very good.
Quick facts: 3103
| Property | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.73 g/cm³ | 1 sourced value |
| Yield strength | at least 110 MPa | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Tensile strength | 90 to 195 MPa | 5 sourced values across conditions |
| Young's modulus | 69.5 GPa | 1 sourced value |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 45 HB | 1 sourced value |
| Thermal conductivity | 160 W/(m·K) | 1 sourced value |
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 23.1 x10-6/K | 1 sourced value |
| Melting point | 655 °C | 1 sourced value |
What is the density of Aluminium alloy 3103?
Aluminium alloy 3103 has a density of 2.73 g/cm³. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the thermal conductivity of Aluminium alloy 3103?
Aluminium alloy 3103 has a thermal conductivity of 160 W/(m·K). The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Aluminium alloy 3103?
Aluminium alloy 3103 has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 23.1 x10-6/K. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the melting point of Aluminium alloy 3103?
Aluminium alloy 3103 has a melting point of 655 °C. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the yield strength of Aluminium alloy 3103?
Aluminium alloy 3103 has a yield strength of at least 110 MPa. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What are the other names and codes for Aluminium alloy 3103?
Aluminium alloy 3103 is also written as UNS A93103, EN 3.0515, EN name EN AW-3103, DIN AlMn1, AA 3103. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.
What is Aluminium alloy 3103 used for?
Uses recorded in the sources include Heat exchangers, air-conditioning evaporators and vehicle radiators; Aircraft and military components, construction cladding and corrugated roofing.
Why it exists
3103 is an Al-Mn sheet alloy that Smiths calls close in properties to 3003, with good cold workability (Righton) and very good weldability (Smiths). Smiths gives a density of 2.73 g/cm3, a melting point of 655 °C and a thermal conductivity of 160 W/m.K, and it lists heat exchangers, radiators and air-conditioning evaporators as uses. In H14 it has a minimum tensile strength of 140 MPa. The alloy is a sheet product, and the sources read here do not record a space use.
Where it's used
Heat exchangers, evaporators and vehicle radiators
Smiths and Righton both list these uses for 3103 sheet.
Aircraft and military components, cladding and roofing
Smiths lists aircraft and military components and corrugated roofing. Righton lists cladding alloy.
Recipe
Al-Mn wrought alloy, 3103 (EN AW-3103 family): Mn 0.90 to 1.50, Fe max 0.70, Cu max 0.10, Mg max 0.05 (Smiths) or max 0.30 (Righton and AircraftMaterials), Si max 0.50, Zn max 0.20, Cr max 0.10, Ti+Zr max 0.10, other elements max 0.05 each and 0.15 total, Al balance (wt%)
3103 is a wrought Al-Mn alloy. Manganese is the main alloying element at 0.90 to 1.50 wt%, with small limits on iron, copper, magnesium, silicon, zinc, chromium and titanium plus zirconium (Smiths; Righton BS EN 573-3). The composition below is the standard range, not a measured value. The sources read here do not describe how the H14, H12, H16 or O tempers are produced.
| Ingredient | Share of the weight | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium Al | not stated | The matrix of the alloy. Balance of the composition. |
| Manganese Mn | not stated | The main alloying element. Smiths notes that it is stronger than the commercial-purity grades, especially at elevated working temperatures. |
| Iron Fe | not stated | Impurity limit. Iron is kept low for formability and does not work as an alloying element here. |
| Copper Cu | not stated | Impurity limit, printed as max 0.10 by Smiths, Righton and AircraftMaterials. |
| Magnesium Mg | not stated | Impurity limit. The sources disagree on the maximum, so both values are shown. |
| Silicon Si | not stated | Impurity limit, printed as max 0.50 by all three composition sources. |
Weight shares are as printed in the sources.
What it can do
Carry load in H14
140 MPa min tensile
measured
The Smiths datasheet gives a minimum tensile strength of 140 MPa and a minimum elongation of 8 % over A50 mm for H14 sheet.
Carry load in H16
160 to 195 N/mm2 tensile
measured
AircraftMaterials gives 160 to 195 N/mm2 tensile for H16 sheet, which is the strongest temper it lists.
Weight
2.73 g/cm3
measured
The Smiths datasheet gives a density of 2.73 g/cm3.
Heat
160 W/m.K
measured
The Smiths datasheet gives a thermal conductivity of 160 W/m.K for H14.
How it compares
Compared with the other rows of this site, 3103 is a moderate-strength Al-Mn sheet alloy with good corrosion resistance and very good weldability. The sources here give its density, stiffness and thermal figures for this alloy only, and they do not compare it with other grades numerically.
The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.
| Measurement | 3103 | 6061 | 7075-T6 | 2024 | 5052 | 5XXX | 2195 (Al-Cu-Li) | Al | 1050 | 2011 | 2014 | 2017 | 2017A | 2219 | 2319 | 2618A | 3003 | 4047 | 5019 | 5056 | 5083 | AlMg2 | AlMg3 | 6013 | 6063 | 6082 | 6101 | AA7050 | AA8011 | Au-Al IMCs | Al master alloys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal behavior and safety | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Melting point, 3103Single value printed on a supplier datasheet | 655 °C | no data | 532 °C | no data | 607.2 to 649 °C | no data | 1020 degF | 660 °C | 645 to 657 °C | 540 °C | 535 °C | 510 °C | 510 °C | 543 °C | 543 to 643 °C | 549 °C | 655 °C | 1068 to 1080 °F | 575 to 630 °C | 565 to 640 °C | 570 °C | 605 to 650 °C | 590 to 645 °C | 579 °C | 600 °C | 575 °C | 1090 °F | 490 °C | 640 to 655 °C | no data | 880 °C |
| Thermal conductivity, 3103 H14Value printed on a supplier datasheet | 160 W/m.K | 167 W/(m·K) | 130 W/m·K | 121 W/m-K | 138 W/m-K | 138 W/(m·K) | no data | 220 W/(m·K) | 229 W/m.K | 140 W/m.K | 138 W/(m·K) | 140 W/m.K | 140 W/m.K | 130 W.m/m2.°C | no data | 147 W/m.K | 190 W/m.K | no data | 110 to 140 W/(m·K) | 109 to 117 W/(m·K) | 121 W/(m·K) | 138 W/(m·K) | 140 to 160 W/(m·K) | 164 W/(m·K) | 200 W/(m·K) | 180 W/(m·K) | no data | 154 W/(m·K) | 210 to 220 W/(m·K) | no data | no data |
| Physical and electrical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Density, 3103 H14Value printed on a supplier datasheet | 2.73 g/cm³ | 2.7 g/cm³ | 2.8 Mg/m3 | 2.78 g/cc | 2.68 g/cc | 2.68 g/cm³ | 0.096 lb/in3 | 2.7 g/cm³ | 2.71 g/cm³ | 2.82 g/cm³ | 2.82 g/cm³ | 2.79 g/cm³ | 2.79 g/cm³ | 2.84 g/cm³ | 2.84 g/cm³ | 2.76 g/cm³ | 2.73 g/cm³ | 2.65 g/cm³ | 2.64 g/cm³ | 2.64 g/cm³ | 2.65 g/cm³ | 2.69 g/cm³ | 2.67 g/cm³ | 2.71 g/cm³ | 2700 kg/m3 | 2.7 g/cm³ | 0.097 lb/cu.in | 2.83 g/cm³ | 2.71 g/cm³ | no data | no data |
| Vickers hardness, 3103 H14Value printed on a supplier datasheet | 46 HV | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | 122 to 153 HV | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Brinell hardness, 3103 H14 sheet | 45 HB7 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | 35 HB | 105 HB | no data | 105 HB | 105 HB | no data | no data | 120 HB | no data | no data | 65 to 95 HB | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Other measurements | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thermal expansion, 3103 H14 | 23.1 x10-6/K1 | 23.6 ppm/K | 23.4 µm/m·K | 23.2 ppm/K | 24.8 µm/m-°C | 24 ppm/K | no data | 22.5 ppm/K | 23.5 x10-6/K | 21.4 µm/m.°C | 23 ppm/K | 22.9 µm/(m·°C) | 22.9 µm/m.°C | 22.5 x10^-6 m/m.°C | no data | 21.6 µm/m°C | 23.1 ppm/K | no data | no data | 2.41×10^-5 1/K | 25 ppm/K | 23.8 µm/m/°C | 23.9 ppm/K | 21.7 µm/m°C | 23.5 ppm/K | 23.1 ppm/K | no data | 23.5 ppm/K | 2.35×10^-5 1/K | no data | no data |
| Modulus of elasticity, 3103 H14Value printed on a supplier datasheet | 69.5 GPa | 68.9 GPa | 71 GPa | 73.1 GPa | 70.3 GPa | 70.3 GPa | 11 MSI | 69 GPa | 69000 MPa | 70 GPa | 71 GPa | 72 GPa | 72 GPa | 73.8 x10^3 N/mm2 | no data | 71 GPa | 69.5 GPa | no data | 70 GPa | 71 GPa | 72 GPa | 70 GPa | 70 GPa | 71 GPa | 69.5 GPa | 70 GPa | no data | 71.5 GPa | 70 GPa | no data | no data |
| Minimum proof stress, 3103 H14 sheet (Smiths) | > 110 MPa2 | 276 MPa | 503 MPa | 324 MPa | 13 ksi | 193 MPa | 74 ksi | 29 MPa | > 85 MPa | 140 MPa | > 400 MPa | 276 MPa | 276 MPa | > 50 ksi | 70 MPa | 350 MPa | 50 MPa | 55 MPa | no data | no data | > 125 MPa | > 120 MPa | > 80 MPa | 350 MPa | 21 ksi | > 255 MPa | 28000 psi | > 414 MPa | no data | no data | no data |
| Minimum tensile strength, 3103 H14 (Smiths) | > 140 MPa3 | 310 MPa | 572 MPa | 469 MPa | 28 ksi | 228 MPa | 80 ksi | 88 MPa | 105 to 145 MPa | 300 MPa | > 460 MPa | 427 MPa | 427 MPa | > 62 ksi | 160 MPa | 420 MPa | 110 MPa | 124 MPa | 270 to 350 MPa | 300 MPa | 275 to 350 MPa | 190 to 230 MPa | 190 to 260 MPa | 410 MPa | 27 ksi | > 300 MPa | 32000 psi | > 483 MPa | 180 to 195 MPa | no data | no data |
| Minimum elongation A50 mm, 3103 H14 | > 8 %4 | 17 % | 11 % | 19 % | 25 % | 12 % | 8 % | 50 to 65 % | 4 to 8 % | 16 % | > 6 % | 18 % | 18 % | > 6 % | 12 % | > 5 % | 25 % | 12 % | > 2 % | 20 % | > 12 % | 4 to 12 % | > 12 % | 4 % | 8 % | > 9 % | > 8 % | > 7 % | > 1 % | no data | no data |
| Shear strength, 3103 H14Value printed on a supplier datasheet | 90 MPa | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | 70 N/mm2 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | 260 MPa | 75 MPa | no data | no data | no data | 175 MPa | no data | no data | 240 MPa | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Tensile strength range, 3103 H14 sheet 0.2 to 6.0 mm (BS EN 485-2) | 140 to 180 MPa5 | 310 MPa | 572 MPa | 469 MPa | 28 ksi | 228 MPa | 80 ksi | 88 MPa | 105 to 145 MPa | 300 MPa | > 460 MPa | 427 MPa | 427 MPa | > 62 ksi | 160 MPa | 420 MPa | 110 MPa | 124 MPa | 270 to 350 MPa | 300 MPa | 275 to 350 MPa | 190 to 230 MPa | 190 to 260 MPa | 410 MPa | 27 ksi | > 300 MPa | 32000 psi | > 483 MPa | 180 to 195 MPa | no data | no data |
| Minimum proof stress, 3103 H14 sheet 0.2 to 6.0 mm (BS EN 485-2) | > 120 MPa6 | 276 MPa | 503 MPa | 324 MPa | 13 ksi | 193 MPa | 74 ksi | 29 MPa | > 85 MPa | 140 MPa | > 400 MPa | 276 MPa | 276 MPa | > 50 ksi | 70 MPa | 350 MPa | 50 MPa | 55 MPa | no data | no data | > 125 MPa | > 120 MPa | > 80 MPa | 350 MPa | 21 ksi | > 255 MPa | 28000 psi | > 414 MPa | no data | no data | no data |
| Tensile strength, 3103 O temper sheet | 90 to 130 N/mm28 | 310 MPa | 572 MPa | 469 MPa | 28 ksi | 228 MPa | 80 ksi | 88 MPa | 105 to 145 MPa | 300 MPa | > 460 MPa | 427 MPa | 427 MPa | > 62 ksi | 160 MPa | 420 MPa | 110 MPa | 124 MPa | 270 to 350 MPa | 300 MPa | 275 to 350 MPa | 190 to 230 MPa | 190 to 260 MPa | 410 MPa | 27 ksi | > 300 MPa | 32000 psi | > 483 MPa | 180 to 195 MPa | no data | no data |
| Tensile strength, 3103 H12 sheet | 120 to 145 N/mm29 | 310 MPa | 572 MPa | 469 MPa | 28 ksi | 228 MPa | 80 ksi | 88 MPa | 105 to 145 MPa | 300 MPa | > 460 MPa | 427 MPa | 427 MPa | > 62 ksi | 160 MPa | 420 MPa | 110 MPa | 124 MPa | 270 to 350 MPa | 300 MPa | 275 to 350 MPa | 190 to 230 MPa | 190 to 260 MPa | 410 MPa | 27 ksi | > 300 MPa | 32000 psi | > 483 MPa | 180 to 195 MPa | no data | no data |
| Tensile strength, 3103 H16 sheet | 160 to 195 N/mm210 | 310 MPa | 572 MPa | 469 MPa | 28 ksi | 228 MPa | 80 ksi | 88 MPa | 105 to 145 MPa | 300 MPa | > 460 MPa | 427 MPa | 427 MPa | > 62 ksi | 160 MPa | 420 MPa | 110 MPa | 124 MPa | 270 to 350 MPa | 300 MPa | 275 to 350 MPa | 190 to 230 MPa | 190 to 260 MPa | 410 MPa | 27 ksi | > 300 MPa | 32000 psi | > 483 MPa | 180 to 195 MPa | no data | no data |
Why choose it, and why not
Good for
- Heat exchangers, evaporators and radiators, where the Smiths and Righton datasheets list 3103 as a use.
- Formed sheet and cladding that need moderate strength with very good weldability (Smiths).
- Light parts where a density near 2.73 g/cm3 is wanted.
Watch out for
- Temper: O is 90 to 130 N/mm2 tensile, and H16 is 160 to 195 N/mm2.
- Magnesium maximum and proof stress minimum differ between sources (see gaps).
- Corrosion: the ratings are qualitative (very good from Smiths, good from Righton), and no measured corrosion test for 3103 was found.
- Spacecraft or launcher use of 3103 is not confirmed by any source read here.
3103 is a sound, weldable Al-Mn sheet alloy for heat exchangers and cladding, with strength that depends on its temper. The sources give it good atmospheric corrosion resistance on supplier ratings, but they do not give measured corrosion data or a flight record.
Technical details
For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.
Other names and standards
The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.
| System | Codes |
|---|---|
| UNS | A93103 |
| EN | 3.0515 |
| EN name | EN AW-3103 |
| DIN | AlMn1 |
| AA | 3103 |
Notes
The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.
| # | Measurement | Method | Conditions | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thermal expansion, 3103 H14 | Value printed on a supplier datasheet (printed as x10-6 /K) | temper H14 (Smiths states its properties are for the H14 condition)temperature not stated | — |
| 2 | Minimum proof stress, 3103 H14 sheet (Smiths) | Minimum value printed in the Mechanical Properties panel of a supplier datasheet | temper H14form sheetbasis minimum, printed as proof stress; offset not stated | — |
| 3 | Minimum tensile strength, 3103 H14 (Smiths) | Minimum value printed in the Mechanical Properties panel of a supplier datasheet | temper H14form sheetbasis minimum | — |
| 4 | Minimum elongation A50 mm, 3103 H14 | Minimum value printed in the Mechanical Properties panel of a supplier datasheet | temper H14form sheetgauge length A50 mmbasis minimum | — |
| 5 | Tensile strength range, 3103 H14 sheet 0.2 to 6.0 mm (BS EN 485-2) | Range printed in the Mechanical Properties table of a supplier datasheet | temper H14form sheet, 0.2 mm to 6.0 mmstandard BS EN 485-2 | — |
| 6 | Minimum proof stress, 3103 H14 sheet 0.2 to 6.0 mm (BS EN 485-2) | Minimum value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of a supplier datasheet | temper H14form sheet, 0.2 mm to 6.0 mmstandard BS EN 485-2basis minimum, printed as proof stress; offset not stated | — |
| 7 | Brinell hardness, 3103 H14 sheet | Value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of a supplier datasheet | temper H14form sheet, 0.2 mm to 6.0 mmstandard BS EN 485-2 | — |
| 8 | Tensile strength, 3103 O temper sheet | Range printed in the Typical Mechanical Properties table for Alloy 3103 Sheet (column header N/mm2) | temper Oform sheet | — |
| 9 | Tensile strength, 3103 H12 sheet | Range printed in the Typical Mechanical Properties table for Alloy 3103 Sheet (column header N/mm2) | temper H12form sheet | — |
| 10 | Tensile strength, 3103 H16 sheet | Range printed in the Typical Mechanical Properties table for Alloy 3103 Sheet (column header N/mm2) | temper H16form sheet | — |
Corrosion and compatibility
What happens when it meets other materials and environments.
| Environment | Concern | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| General atmospheric service (supplier rating, no test conditions) | low | Smiths rates the corrosion resistance of 3103 as very good.1 |
| General atmospheric service (supplier characteristic, no test conditions) | low | Righton describes the atmospheric corrosion resistance of 3103 as good.2 |
| # | Environment | Details | Test conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General atmospheric service (supplier rating, no test conditions) | The Smiths datasheet lists very good resistance to atmospheric corrosion as a key feature and gives Corrosion Resistance: Very good. No test environment, exposure time or rate is given. | rating in source very good corrosion resistance (mapped to low corrosion severity)basis qualitative supplier rating onlytest none stated |
| 2 | General atmospheric service (supplier characteristic, no test conditions) | The Righton datasheet lists good resistance to atmospheric corrosion under Characteristics. It is a weaker rating than Smiths gives, and no test is described. | rating in source good resistance to atmospheric corrosion (mapped to low corrosion severity)basis qualitative supplier description onlytest none stated |
Risks and side effects
Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.
For people
The Alcoa safety sheet for the 3xxx series gives dust and fume warnings for processing. No health data for 3103 alone were found.
- Machining dust
- Dust clouds may be explosive, and dust and fume from processing can irritate the eyes, skin and upper airways (Alcoa SDS, 3xxx series).
If it fails
The failure routes found in the sources are soft tempers and dust explosions.
- Soft temper
- In O temper the tensile strength is 90 to 130 N/mm2, against 160 to 195 N/mm2 in H16 (AircraftMaterials).
- Dust
- Dust clouds may be explosive. Fines in contact with water can make hydrogen (Alcoa SDS).
Handling and storage
- Specify temper and form
- Name the temper (H14, H12, H16 or O) and the product form before comparing values, because the datasheets differ.
- Dust control
- Keep machining dust under control, and keep the material dry, following the Alcoa sheet.
Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.
Failure risks
| Failure | Trigger and consequence |
|---|---|
| Soft O temper where strength is neededmoderate severity | Specifying the O (annealed) temper for a load-bearing partTensile strength falls to 90 to 130 N/mm2 in O, against 160 to 195 N/mm2 in H16 (AircraftMaterials). Strength depends strongly on temper, so the temper must be named. |
| Dust explosion during machining or grindinghigh severity | Dust or fines dispersed in air, or chips and fines in contact with waterThe Alcoa sheet says dust clouds may be explosive and that a minor dust cloud can explode violently. Chips, fines and dust in contact with water can generate flammable hydrogen gas. |
Handling and storage
- Keep the material dry and avoid generating dust. The Alcoa sheet says to keep material dry and to avoid generating dust in handling.
- For processes that generate dust or fines, the Alcoa sheet says to follow the safety procedures in the Aluminum Association bulletin it names, and to keep dust collection systems dedicated to aluminium dust.
- Specify the temper and product form before comparing values. The datasheets print different figures for H14, H12, H16 and O, and for proof stress.
Supply and geography
How common the raw materials are and where they come from.
Primary aluminium smelter production, 2025 estimate (world)
- Top producers (2025)
- China 60.8%, India 5.7%, Russia 5.3%, Canada 4.5%, United Arab Emirates 3.6%
- Recycling
- USGS: in 2025 about 3.6 million tons of aluminum were recovered from purchased scrap in the United States. Old-scrap recovery was equivalent to about 28 % of apparent consumption.
- Substitutes
- USGS: composites can substitute for aluminum in aircraft fuselages and wings. Glass, paper, plastics and steel can substitute for aluminum in packaging.
Documents
Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.
Full record
The complete spore, as stored. Free to reuse under CC-BY-4.0. Images keep the licence shown with each one.
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spore: profile
id: aluminium-3103
spore_version: 0.2
family: aluminium-alloys
name: Aluminium alloy 3103
abbreviation: '3103'
role: commercial Al-Mn sheet alloy for heat exchangers and cladding
category: metals
type: aluminium
summary: |
3103 is a wrought aluminium-manganese alloy (UNS A93103, also EN AW-3103) with 0.90 to 1.50 wt% manganese as the main alloying element and aluminium as the balance. Smiths calls it a commercial alloy close in properties to 3003, with very good corrosion resistance and very good weldability. In the H14 condition the Smiths datasheet gives a density of 2.73 g/cm3 and a thermal conductivity of 160 W/m.K, and both Smiths and Righton give a minimum tensile strength of 140 MPa. Strength depends strongly on temper: AircraftMaterials prints 90 to 130 N/mm2 for O and 160 to 195 N/mm2 for H16. None of the sources read here records a flight or spacecraft use.
best_for: Heat exchangers, radiators and formed sheet that need moderate strength, good weldability and resistance to atmospheric corrosion (Smiths lists these uses)
weakest_at: Strength falls with the softer tempers (O is 90 to 130 N/mm2 against 160 to 195 N/mm2 in H16), and the sources read here give no measured corrosion test data for this alloy
identity:
formula: 'Al-Mn wrought alloy, 3103 (EN AW-3103 family): Mn 0.90 to 1.50, Fe max 0.70, Cu max 0.10, Mg max 0.05 (Smiths) or max 0.30 (Righton and AircraftMaterials), Si max 0.50, Zn max 0.20, Cr max 0.10, Ti+Zr max 0.10, other elements max 0.05 each and 0.15 total, Al balance (wt%)'
cas: ''
source: smith-3103
where: Chemical Composition (weight %) table, Smiths 3103 datasheet (2023). Righton (BS EN 573-3) and the AircraftMaterials composition limits table agree on Mn, Fe, Cu, Si, Zn, Cr and Ti+Zr, but Righton and AircraftMaterials print Mg max 0.30 where Smiths prints 0.05.
designations:
- system: UNS
code: A93103
source: totalmateria-3103
where: International equivalent materials table, row UNS A93103
- system: AA
code: '3103'
source: aircraftmaterials-3103
where: Chemical Composition Limits (Weight %) table, heading Alloy 3103
- system: DIN
code: AlMn1
source: totalmateria-3103
where: International equivalent materials table, row AlMn1 under DIN
- system: EN
code: '3.0515'
source: totalmateria-3103
where: International equivalent materials table, row 3.0515 under DIN
- system: EN name
code: EN AW-3103
source: totalmateria-3103
where: Page title SS EN AW-3103 Aluminium Alloys
tags:
environments: []
stresses: []
applications:
- thermal-control
- structures
properties:
- benchmark: density
label: Density, 3103 H14
value: 2.73
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14 (Smiths states its properties are for the H14 condition)
form: sheet
method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: smith-3103
where: Physical Properties panel, row Density
- benchmark: melting_point
label: Melting point, 3103
value: 655
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
form: not stated
method: Single value printed on a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: smith-3103
where: Physical Properties panel, row Melting Point
- benchmark: cte
label: Thermal expansion, 3103 H14
value: 23.1
unit: x10-6/K
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14 (Smiths states its properties are for the H14 condition)
temperature: not stated
method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet (printed as x10-6 /K)
status: ground
source: smith-3103
where: Physical Properties panel, row Thermal Expansion
- benchmark: elastic_modulus
label: Modulus of elasticity, 3103 H14
value: 69.5
unit: GPa
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14 (Smiths states its properties are for the H14 condition)
temperature: not stated
method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: smith-3103
where: Physical Properties panel, row Modulus of Elasticity
- benchmark: thermal_conductivity
label: Thermal conductivity, 3103 H14
value: 160
unit: W/m.K
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14 (Smiths states its properties are for the H14 condition)
temperature: not stated
method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: smith-3103
where: Physical Properties panel, row Thermal Conductivity
- benchmark: yield_strength
label: Minimum proof stress, 3103 H14 sheet (Smiths)
value: 110
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14
form: sheet
basis: minimum, printed as proof stress; offset not stated
method: Minimum value printed in the Mechanical Properties panel of a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: smith-3103
where: Mechanical Properties panel, row Proof Stress
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Minimum tensile strength, 3103 H14 (Smiths)
value: 140
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14
form: sheet
basis: minimum
method: Minimum value printed in the Mechanical Properties panel of a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: smith-3103
where: Mechanical Properties panel, row Tensile Strength
- benchmark: elongation
label: Minimum elongation A50 mm, 3103 H14
value: 8
bound: lower
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14
form: sheet
gauge_length: A50 mm
basis: minimum
method: Minimum value printed in the Mechanical Properties panel of a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: smith-3103
where: Mechanical Properties panel, row Elongation A50 mm
- benchmark: shear_strength
label: Shear strength, 3103 H14
value: 90
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14
form: sheet
method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: smith-3103
where: Mechanical Properties panel, row Shear Strength
- benchmark: vickers_hardness
label: Vickers hardness, 3103 H14
value: 46
unit: HV
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14
form: sheet
method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: smith-3103
where: Mechanical Properties panel, row Hardness Vickers
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength range, 3103 H14 sheet 0.2 to 6.0 mm (BS EN 485-2)
value: 140
value_high: 180
bound: range
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14
form: sheet, 0.2 mm to 6.0 mm
standard: BS EN 485-2
method: Range printed in the Mechanical Properties table of a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: righton-3103
where: Mechanical Properties table, row Tensile Strength, column BS EN 485-2
- benchmark: yield_strength
label: Minimum proof stress, 3103 H14 sheet 0.2 to 6.0 mm (BS EN 485-2)
value: 120
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14
form: sheet, 0.2 mm to 6.0 mm
standard: BS EN 485-2
basis: minimum, printed as proof stress; offset not stated
method: Minimum value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: righton-3103
where: Mechanical Properties table, row Proof Stress, Min
- benchmark: brinell_hardness
label: Brinell hardness, 3103 H14 sheet
value: 45
unit: HB
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H14
form: sheet, 0.2 mm to 6.0 mm
standard: BS EN 485-2
method: Value printed in the Mechanical Properties table of a supplier datasheet
status: ground
source: righton-3103
where: Mechanical Properties table, row Hardness Brinell
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength, 3103 O temper sheet
value: 90
value_high: 130
bound: range
unit: N/mm2
scope: material
conditions:
temper: O
form: sheet
method: Range printed in the Typical Mechanical Properties table for Alloy 3103 Sheet (column header N/mm2)
status: ground
source: aircraftmaterials-3103
where: Typical Mechanical Properties (Alloy 3103 Sheet) table, row 0, column Tensile Strength
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength, 3103 H12 sheet
value: 120
value_high: 145
bound: range
unit: N/mm2
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H12
form: sheet
method: Range printed in the Typical Mechanical Properties table for Alloy 3103 Sheet (column header N/mm2)
status: ground
source: aircraftmaterials-3103
where: Typical Mechanical Properties (Alloy 3103 Sheet) table, row H12, column Tensile Strength
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength, 3103 H16 sheet
value: 160
value_high: 195
bound: range
unit: N/mm2
scope: material
conditions:
temper: H16
form: sheet
method: Range printed in the Typical Mechanical Properties table for Alloy 3103 Sheet (column header N/mm2)
status: ground
source: aircraftmaterials-3103
where: Typical Mechanical Properties (Alloy 3103 Sheet) table, row H16, column Tensile Strength
corrosion:
- environment: General atmospheric service (supplier rating, no test conditions)
headline: Smiths rates the corrosion resistance of 3103 as very good.
effect: 'The Smiths datasheet lists very good resistance to atmospheric corrosion as a key feature and gives Corrosion Resistance: Very good. No test environment, exposure time or rate is given.'
rating: low
conditions:
rating_in_source: very good corrosion resistance (mapped to low corrosion severity)
basis: qualitative supplier rating only
test: none stated
source: smith-3103
where: Key features list and Corrosion Resistance box
- environment: General atmospheric service (supplier characteristic, no test conditions)
headline: Righton describes the atmospheric corrosion resistance of 3103 as good.
effect: The Righton datasheet lists good resistance to atmospheric corrosion under Characteristics. It is a weaker rating than Smiths gives, and no test is described.
rating: low
conditions:
rating_in_source: good resistance to atmospheric corrosion (mapped to low corrosion severity)
basis: qualitative supplier description only
test: none stated
source: righton-3103
where: Characteristics list
risks:
hazards:
- text: The Alcoa safety data sheet for wrought 3xxx series alloys (revision 10-13-2015) lists 3103 in its synonym list. It gives aluminum (CAS 7429-90-5, >92 %) and says the product is not hazardous under 29 CFR 1910.1200. It names combustible dust as an authority-defined hazard. It covers the whole 3xxx family, not 3103 alone, so the reading is family-level.
ghs: []
source: alcoa-3xxx-sds
where: Section 2 hazard statements (row Authority defined hazards; not hazardous under 29 CFR 1910.1200); composition table, row Aluminum
- text: The same Alcoa sheet says the health effects listed are not likely to occur unless processing creates dust or fumes. Dust and fume from processing can irritate the eyes, skin and upper respiratory tract.
ghs: []
source: alcoa-3xxx-sds
where: Health hazards text and first-aid rows (Eye contact, Inhalation) in the Alcoa sheet
failure_risks:
- mode: Soft O temper where strength is needed
trigger: Specifying the O (annealed) temper for a load-bearing part
consequence: Tensile strength falls to 90 to 130 N/mm2 in O, against 160 to 195 N/mm2 in H16 (AircraftMaterials). Strength depends strongly on temper, so the temper must be named.
severity: moderate
source: aircraftmaterials-3103
where: Typical Mechanical Properties (Alloy 3103 Sheet) table, rows 0 and H16
- mode: Dust explosion during machining or grinding
trigger: Dust or fines dispersed in air, or chips and fines in contact with water
consequence: The Alcoa sheet says dust clouds may be explosive and that a minor dust cloud can explode violently. Chips, fines and dust in contact with water can generate flammable hydrogen gas.
severity: high
source: alcoa-3xxx-sds
where: Alcoa sheet rows Specific hazards and Explosion/fire hazards (fire-fighting measures)
side_effects: []
handling:
- text: Keep the material dry and avoid generating dust. The Alcoa sheet says to keep material dry and to avoid generating dust in handling.
source: alcoa-3xxx-sds
where: Handling row in the Alcoa sheet
- text: For processes that generate dust or fines, the Alcoa sheet says to follow the safety procedures in the Aluminum Association bulletin it names, and to keep dust collection systems dedicated to aluminium dust.
source: alcoa-3xxx-sds
where: Row Requirements for Processes Which Generate Dusts or Fines in the Alcoa sheet
- text: Specify the temper and product form before comparing values. The datasheets print different figures for H14, H12, H16 and O, and for proof stress.
source: aircraftmaterials-3103
where: Typical Mechanical Properties (Alloy 3103 Sheet) table, compared with smith-3103 and righton-3103 Mechanical Properties
mitigations: []
uses:
- application: thermal-control
device: Heat exchangers, air-conditioning evaporators and vehicle radiators
example: Smiths lists heat exchangers, heating and cooling systems, air conditioning evaporators and vehicle radiators as applications. Righton lists heat exchangers, air condition evaporators and motor vehicle radiators.
source: smith-3103
where: Applications list, Smiths datasheet; Applications list, Righton datasheet (both name these uses)
- application: structures
device: Aircraft and military components, construction cladding and corrugated roofing
example: Smiths lists aircraft and military components and corrugated roofing. Righton lists cladding alloy. The sources do not name a space or launch use for 3103.
source: smith-3103
where: Applications list, Smiths datasheet; Righton Applications list, row Cladding alloy
supply:
- subject: Primary aluminium smelter production, 2025 estimate (world)
producers:
- country: China
share_percent: 60.8
year: 2025
- country: India
share_percent: 5.7
year: 2025
- country: Russia
share_percent: 5.3
year: 2025
- country: Canada
share_percent: 4.5
year: 2025
- country: United Arab Emirates
share_percent: 3.6
year: 2025
critical_lists: []
recycling: 'USGS: in 2025 about 3.6 million tons of aluminum were recovered from purchased scrap in the United States. Old-scrap recovery was equivalent to about 28 % of apparent consumption.'
substitutes:
- 'USGS: composites can substitute for aluminum in aircraft fuselages and wings. Glass, paper, plastics and steel can substitute for aluminum in packaging.'
source: usgs-mcs2026-aluminum
where: 'World Smelter Production and Capacity table, column 2025e: China 45,000, India 4,200, Russia 3,900, Canada 3,300, United Arab Emirates 2,700, world total (rounded) 74,000 thousand t. Shares are calculated by Space Mushroom from those printed values (for example 45,000 / 74,000 = 60.8 %). The subject is the primary metal, not the 3103 alloy. Recycling and Substitutes sections.'
documents:
- title: 'Smiths Metal Centres: 3103 Aluminium Technical Datasheet (2023)'
type: datasheet
url: https://www.smithmetal.com/pdf/aluminium/3xxx/3103.pdf
year: 2023
- title: 'Righton and Blackburns: Aluminium 3103 H14 Sheet datasheet (updated 05 August 2021)'
type: datasheet
url: https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Aluminium-Alloy-3103-H14-Sheet_298.pdf
year: 2021
- title: 'AircraftMaterials: Aluminium Alloy 3103 / 3103A'
type: datasheet
url: https://aircraftmaterials.com/data/aluminium/3103.html
- title: 'Total Materia: SS EN AW-3103 Aluminium Alloys (equivalent materials table)'
type: database
url: https://www.totalmateria.com/en-us/material/3223256
- title: 'Alcoa: Safety Data Sheet, Wrought Aluminum Products, 3xxx Series Alloys (revision 10-13-2015), copy hosted by KM Sheet Metal'
type: sds
url: https://docs.kmsheetmetal.com/web/image/734638-a1aa560c/sds-3000-series-alcoa-aluminum.pdf
year: 2015
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Aluminum'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-aluminum.pdf
year: 2026
gaps:
- No flight, spacecraft, satellite or launch-vehicle record for 3103 was found in the sources read here.
- No measured corrosion data (salt spray, ASTM G85 SWAAT, G34 or G66, exfoliation) for 3103 was found. The Smiths and Righton entries are supplier ratings only. A 2003 conference paper on AA3103 pipes was seen only as a search result, with no abstract or text, so it was not used.
- The electrical figure on the Smiths datasheet is printed as 42% IACS under the label Electricity Resistivity. The label and unit conflict, so the value was left out, as it was for 2017.
- 'Magnesium maximum conflicts: Smiths prints Mg max 0.05 wt%, while Righton (BS EN 573-3) and AircraftMaterials print Mg max 0.30 wt%. Both are shown in the formula and recipe text, and neither is resolved here.'
- 'Proof stress minimum conflicts for H14 sheet: Smiths prints 110 MPa min and Righton (BS EN 485-2) prints 120 MPa min. Both are entered with their source and conditions.'
- The Total Materia page shows modulus of elasticity 69 to 79 GPa and electrical resistivity in ohm-mm2/m, without temperature or temper. The 69 to 79 GPa range was not entered because it conflicts with the Smiths value of 69.5 GPa, and the Total Materia tensile range (80 to 230 MPa) does not say which temper it covers.
- The Total Materia density, yield strength, service temperature and CTE are behind a free registration, so they were not read.
- The AircraftMaterials elongation values for O, H12 and H16 have no unit printed on the page, so they were left out.
- The Brinell and Vickers hardness, shear strength and electrical conductivity benchmarks are not in property-canon.yaml. They use short snake_case names (brinell_hardness, vickers_hardness, shear_strength) as the brief allows. The conductivity value was left out (see above).
- The Alcoa safety sheet covers the whole wrought 3xxx series (3103 appears only in its synonym list) and is dated 2015. The hazard classes are family-level. No 3103-specific SDS was found.
- The Aalco 3103 H14 datasheet PDF returned an empty file, so it was not read. MatWeb, ASM Handbook and the 3103 patents (US 6896749 is a scanned image with no readable text) were not reached.
- Only six sources are recorded, below the eight the lithium standard asks for. No Wikipedia article for 3103 exists (HTTP 404), so no history source was added.
- No manufacturing or heat-treatment process for the H14, H12, H16 or O tempers was found in the sources read here, so the recipe gives composition only.
- The USGS 2026 aluminum summary used here does not list a critical-minerals entry, so none is recorded.
- Radiation effects, atomic oxygen, outgassing and cryogenic properties were not looked up for this alloy.
- No media files were added. The alloy has no crystal-structure or product image sourced in this run.
sources:
smith-3103:
title: Smiths Metal Centres, 3103 Aluminium Technical Datasheet (2023)
url: https://www.smithmetal.com/pdf/aluminium/3xxx/3103.pdf
year: 2023
kind: datasheet
license: Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)
righton-3103:
title: Righton and Blackburns, Aluminium 3103 H14 Sheet datasheet (BS EN 573-3 and BS EN 485-2)
url: https://www.rightonblackburns.co.uk/datasheets/view/Righton-Blackburns-Ltd_Aluminium-Alloy-3103-H14-Sheet_298.pdf
year: 2021
kind: datasheet
license: Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)
aircraftmaterials-3103:
title: 'AircraftMaterials: Aluminium Alloy 3103 / 3103A'
id: AA 3103
url: https://aircraftmaterials.com/data/aluminium/3103.html
kind: datasheet
license: Supplier web page (cited, not reproduced)
totalmateria-3103:
title: 'Total Materia: SS EN AW-3103 Aluminium Alloys'
id: UNS A93103, AlMn1, 3.0515, EN AW-3103
url: https://www.totalmateria.com/en-us/material/3223256
kind: database
license: Paywalled database (cited, not reproduced)
alcoa-3xxx-sds:
title: Alcoa Safety Data Sheet, Wrought Aluminum Products, 3xxx Series Alloys (revision 10-13-2015)
url: https://docs.kmsheetmetal.com/web/image/734638-a1aa560c/sds-3000-series-alcoa-aluminum.pdf
year: 2015
kind: datasheet
license: Manufacturer safety data sheet (cited, not reproduced)
usgs-mcs2026-aluminum:
title: 'Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Aluminum'
id: USGS MCS 2026
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-aluminum.pdf
year: 2026
kind: report
license: public domain (USGS)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-26'
review:
status: draft
method: assistant
checked_values: 16
unreachable: 4
caveats: 6
note: 'Values were read by an AI assistant on 2026-10-26 from the pages named in each entry. Unreachable or blocked: Aalco H14 PDF (empty download), Total Materia (login for most fields), the 3103 patent (scanned image, no text), Wikipedia 3103 (404). Caveats: all H14 values are from one or two supplier datasheets; the O, H12 and H16 values are from AircraftMaterials without a printed elongation unit; the Mg maximum and proof stress minimum conflict between sources; the hazard classes are for the whole 3xxx family; the corrosion entries are supplier ratings only; no space use is confirmed.'
story:
recipe:
line: 3103 is a wrought Al-Mn alloy. Manganese is the main alloying element at 0.90 to 1.50 wt%, with small limits on iron, copper, magnesium, silicon, zinc, chromium and titanium plus zirconium (Smiths; Righton BS EN 573-3). The composition below is the standard range, not a measured value. The sources read here do not describe how the H14, H12, H16 or O tempers are produced.
parts:
- name: Aluminium
symbol: Al
share: Balance
role: The matrix of the alloy. Balance of the composition.
- name: Manganese
symbol: Mn
share: 0.90 to 1.50 wt%
role: The main alloying element. Smiths notes that it is stronger than the commercial-purity grades, especially at elevated working temperatures.
- name: Iron
symbol: Fe
share: max 0.70 wt%
role: Impurity limit. Iron is kept low for formability and does not work as an alloying element here.
- name: Copper
symbol: Cu
share: max 0.10 wt%
role: Impurity limit, printed as max 0.10 by Smiths, Righton and AircraftMaterials.
- name: Magnesium
symbol: Mg
share: max 0.05 wt% (Smiths) or max 0.30 wt% (Righton, AircraftMaterials)
role: Impurity limit. The sources disagree on the maximum, so both values are shown.
- name: Silicon
symbol: Si
share: max 0.50 wt%
role: Impurity limit, printed as max 0.50 by all three composition sources.
risk_groups:
- title: For people
level: 1
verdict: Dust and fume warnings
lead: The Alcoa safety sheet for the 3xxx series gives dust and fume warnings for processing. No health data for 3103 alone were found.
points:
- label: Machining dust
line: Dust clouds may be explosive, and dust and fume from processing can irritate the eyes, skin and upper airways (Alcoa SDS, 3xxx series).
- title: If it fails
lead: The failure routes found in the sources are soft tempers and dust explosions.
points:
- label: Soft temper
line: In O temper the tensile strength is 90 to 130 N/mm2, against 160 to 195 N/mm2 in H16 (AircraftMaterials).
- label: Dust
line: Dust clouds may be explosive. Fines in contact with water can make hydrogen (Alcoa SDS).
- title: Handling and storage
points:
- label: Specify temper and form
line: Name the temper (H14, H12, H16 or O) and the product form before comparing values, because the datasheets differ.
- label: Dust control
line: Keep machining dust under control, and keep the material dry, following the Alcoa sheet.
why: 3103 is an Al-Mn sheet alloy that Smiths calls close in properties to 3003, with good cold workability (Righton) and very good weldability (Smiths). Smiths gives a density of 2.73 g/cm3, a melting point of 655 °C and a thermal conductivity of 160 W/m.K, and it lists heat exchangers, radiators and air-conditioning evaporators as uses. In H14 it has a minimum tensile strength of 140 MPa. The alloy is a sheet product, and the sources read here do not record a space use.
uses:
- where: Heat exchangers, evaporators and vehicle radiators
line: Smiths and Righton both list these uses for 3103 sheet.
- where: Aircraft and military components, cladding and roofing
line: Smiths lists aircraft and military components and corrugated roofing. Righton lists cladding alloy.
can_do:
- label: Carry load in H14
value: 140 MPa min tensile
benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
line: The Smiths datasheet gives a minimum tensile strength of 140 MPa and a minimum elongation of 8 % over A50 mm for H14 sheet.
- label: Carry load in H16
value: 160 to 195 N/mm2 tensile
benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
line: AircraftMaterials gives 160 to 195 N/mm2 tensile for H16 sheet, which is the strongest temper it lists.
- label: Weight
value: 2.73 g/cm3
benchmark: density
line: The Smiths datasheet gives a density of 2.73 g/cm3.
- label: Heat
value: 160 W/m.K
benchmark: thermal_conductivity
line: The Smiths datasheet gives a thermal conductivity of 160 W/m.K for H14.
compare: Compared with the other rows of this site, 3103 is a moderate-strength Al-Mn sheet alloy with good corrosion resistance and very good weldability. The sources here give its density, stiffness and thermal figures for this alloy only, and they do not compare it with other grades numerically.
compare_rows:
- label: Density
benchmark: density
- label: Thermal conductivity
benchmark: thermal_conductivity
- label: Modulus of elasticity
benchmark: elastic_modulus
handling:
- Specify the temper and the product form, because the datasheets give different values for H14, H12, H16 and O.
- Keep machining dust and fines under control. Dust clouds may be explosive.
- Keep the material dry, and do not let fines contact water.
good_for:
- Heat exchangers, evaporators and radiators, where the Smiths and Righton datasheets list 3103 as a use.
- Formed sheet and cladding that need moderate strength with very good weldability (Smiths).
- Light parts where a density near 2.73 g/cm3 is wanted.
watch_out:
- 'Temper: O is 90 to 130 N/mm2 tensile, and H16 is 160 to 195 N/mm2.'
- Magnesium maximum and proof stress minimum differ between sources (see gaps).
- 'Corrosion: the ratings are qualitative (very good from Smiths, good from Righton), and no measured corrosion test for 3103 was found.'
- Spacecraft or launcher use of 3103 is not confirmed by any source read here.
verdict: 3103 is a sound, weldable Al-Mn sheet alloy for heat exchangers and cladding, with strength that depends on its temper. The sources give it good atmospheric corrosion resistance on supplier ratings, but they do not give measured corrosion data or a flight record.
References
Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.
| # | Source | Type | Year | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smiths Metal Centres, 3103 Aluminium Technical Datasheet (2023) | datasheet | 2023 | 14 values | |
| Righton and Blackburns, Aluminium 3103 H14 Sheet datasheet (BS EN 573-3 and BS EN 485-2) | datasheet | 2021 | 4 values | |
| AircraftMaterials: Aluminium Alloy 3103 / 3103A | datasheet | 5 values | ||
| Total Materia: SS EN AW-3103 Aluminium Alloys | database | 0 values | ||
| Alcoa Safety Data Sheet, Wrought Aluminum Products, 3xxx Series Alloys (revision 10-13-2015) | datasheet | 2015 | 5 values | |
| Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Aluminum | report | 2026 | 1 value |