It’s no surprise that aluminum is so popular. Its strength and light weight make it ideal for a wide variety of applications and industries, from providing structural integrity and fuel economy for vehicle manufacturers to giving strength and corrosion resistance to shipbuilders concerned with saltwater corrosion.
But pure aluminum itself is relatively soft and not very strong. It’s the alloying elements, tempering, and treatment that enhance its characteristics, making it much more suitable for industrial usage. Here we’ll examine the differences between 6061 and 3003 aluminum.
6061 vs. 3003 aluminum composition and properties
As you might expect from its name, aluminum alloys are comprised primarily of aluminum. Other elements are added to enhance certain characteristics, such as strength, formability, and corrosion resistance. When elements are combined with aluminum, the new alloy gets a numerical designation that reflects its primary alloying element and resulting characteristics.
1000 series aluminum. This metal is made up of at least 99% aluminum. It is not a particularly strong alloy, but it has superior workability, conductivity, and resistance to corrosion.
2000 series aluminum. Alloyed with copper, this aluminum alloy is very strong and machinable, but the raw alloy lacks the corrosion resistance of other alloys. 2000 series aluminum is often treated to improve its properties.
3000 series aluminum. The 3000 series aluminum-manganese alloys are not as strong as the 2000 series, but they have excellent corrosion resistance and good workability.
4000 series aluminum. The low melting points of these aluminum-silicon alloys make them ideal for making welding wire and brazing.
5000 series aluminum. The magnesium in these aluminum alloys gives them good corrosion resistance and weldability while making them stronger than 3000 series alloys.
6000 series aluminum. Combining silicon with magnesium balances the strength, formability, and corrosion resistance of this alloy, making them easy to work with.
7000 series aluminum. Alloyed with zinc, 7000 series aluminums have the highest strength of all of the aluminum alloys, making them excellent for structural applications, but harder to form or machine.
8000 series aluminum. These aluminum alloys are used for specialized applications and can be made up of elements such as iron, tin, and lithium.
Because 3003 aluminum belongs to the 3000 series, it is composed of aluminum with manganese as its main alloying element. 6061 aluminum is made up of aluminum with magnesium and silicon as its primary alloying elements.
3003 vs. 6061 aluminum yield strength
One main difference between 3003 and 6061 aluminum is their yield strength. Heat treatment greatly enhances 6061 aluminum yield strength. In fact, heat treating to T6 temper boosts 6061 yield strength four times higher than in its annealed state.
Because it doesn’t respond well to heat treatment, the only way to increase the yield strength of 3003 is through work hardening, which produces less dramatic results.
As a comparison, the yield strength of 3003 aluminum H14 temper is typically 17,000 to 24,000 psi, whereas 6061 aluminum yield strength is generally 35,000 to 40,000 psi in the T6 temper.
6061 vs. 3003 aluminum fatigue strength
3003 aluminum fatigue strength is lower than that of 6061. 6061 aluminum’s higher fatigue strength is due to both its alloying elements and the beneficial effects of heat treatment.
3003 aluminum vs. 6061 tensile strength
3003 aluminum tensile strength is around 22,000 psi, which is considered moderate. 6061 aluminum tensile strength averages 35,000 to 42,000 psi in the T6 temper, making it the better choice for applications that require materials to handle more significant loads.
3003 aluminum vs. 6061 aluminum hardness
In the annealed state, 6061 aluminum slightly stronger than 3003. And because the softer 3003 aluminum is not heat treatable, the difference between 3003 aluminum and 6061 aluminum hardness increases further when 6061 is heat treated.
6061 aluminum vs. 3003 formability and ductility
Manganese tends to be a softer element, and having it as its primary alloy gives 3003 aluminum the edge in formability and ductility over 6061. But 6061 aluminum formability is still good. Its harder and stronger characteristics make it the right choice for certain applications, while 3003 aluminum is a better option for more extreme forming challenges.
3003 vs. 6061 aluminum machineability
Its softer nature reduces 3003 aluminum machineability somewhat, making it a bit more challenging to work with. The harder characteristics that make 6061 aluminum more machinable also make it less formable. It produces a high volume of small chips, allowing operators to create cleaner, more precise cuts.
6061 vs. 3003 aluminum thermal conductivity
Both 3003 aluminum and 6061 aluminum have good thermal conductivity, but 3003 is slightly more conductive than 6061. It should be stressed that this difference is minor, though: The choice of which alloy is best for a given application will usually depend more on other factors, such as strength or formability.
6061 aluminum vs. 3003 corrosion resistance
3003 aluminum corrosion resistance is excellent, holding up well in moist or wet environments. Its resistance to chemicals makes it a solid choice for chemical laboratory equipment or food handling. 6061 aluminum has slightly better corrosion resistance and can be anodized to enhance this property further. 6061 is often found in marine applications and other harsh environments.
6061 vs. 3003 aluminum weldability
3003 aluminum weldability is excellent. It can be welded using all conventional methods, including Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and Metal Inert Gas (MIG). Its simple chemical makeup allows it to maintain its strength and integrity, creating strong welds.
6061 aluminum weldability is good, although it’s not as simple to work with as 3003. More care needs to be taken with welding to avoid cracking.
3003 aluminum applications vs. 6061 applications
Because each alloy has unique characteristics, they each have niches where they are more commonly found. 3003 aluminum applications generally require high corrosion resistance and formability, such as kitchenware, sheet metal, and food & chemical equipment. 6061 aluminum applications tend to require higher strength and durability, such as structural or marine applications, automotive parts, and aerospace components.
3003 vs. 6061 aluminum cost
A major difference between 3003 and 6061 aluminum is the price. 3003 aluminum is a common alloy, has minimal processing requirements, and is easy to work with, making it comparatively cost effective. 6061 aluminum, on the other hand, has more complex alloying elements and requires additional processing, such as heat treatment, to enhance its favorable characteristics.
6061 vs. 3003 aluminum: which is better?
3003 aluminum and 6061 aluminum each have different strengths and weaknesses. The difference between 3003 and 6061 aluminum is that 3003 aluminum is cost-effective with excellent formability, weldability, and corrosion resistance, but it doesn’t have the strength of 6061 aluminum. This makes it an excellent choice for applications where excess strength isn’t necessary, such as HVAC ducts and house siding.
6061 aluminum is up to four times stronger than 3003, depending on the temper. It tends to be more costly than 3003, but its additional strength — along with superior toughness and corrosion resistance — justify the price for many industries that depend on durability. 6061 aluminum applications include structural components, automotive parts, and marine environments.
Both alloys are exceptional in their own way. Which is better depends on the needs of your specific application.
Comparing 3003 aluminum vs. 6061 aluminum
Posted by Attila Tobias (VP) in Articles
It’s no surprise that aluminum is so popular. Its strength and light weight make it ideal for a wide variety of applications and industries, from providing structural integrity and fuel economy for vehicle manufacturers to giving strength and corrosion resistance to shipbuilders concerned with saltwater corrosion.
But pure aluminum itself is relatively soft and not very strong. It’s the alloying elements, tempering, and treatment that enhance its characteristics, making it much more suitable for industrial usage. Here we’ll examine the differences between 6061 and 3003 aluminum.
6061 vs. 3003 aluminum composition and properties
As you might expect from its name, aluminum alloys are comprised primarily of aluminum. Other elements are added to enhance certain characteristics, such as strength, formability, and corrosion resistance. When elements are combined with aluminum, the new alloy gets a numerical designation that reflects its primary alloying element and resulting characteristics.
Because 3003 aluminum belongs to the 3000 series, it is composed of aluminum with manganese as its main alloying element. 6061 aluminum is made up of aluminum with magnesium and silicon as its primary alloying elements.
3003 vs. 6061 aluminum yield strength
One main difference between 3003 and 6061 aluminum is their yield strength. Heat treatment greatly enhances 6061 aluminum yield strength. In fact, heat treating to T6 temper boosts 6061 yield strength four times higher than in its annealed state.
Because it doesn’t respond well to heat treatment, the only way to increase the yield strength of 3003 is through work hardening, which produces less dramatic results.
As a comparison, the yield strength of 3003 aluminum H14 temper is typically 17,000 to 24,000 psi, whereas 6061 aluminum yield strength is generally 35,000 to 40,000 psi in the T6 temper.
6061 vs. 3003 aluminum fatigue strength
3003 aluminum fatigue strength is lower than that of 6061. 6061 aluminum’s higher fatigue strength is due to both its alloying elements and the beneficial effects of heat treatment.
3003 aluminum vs. 6061 tensile strength
3003 aluminum tensile strength is around 22,000 psi, which is considered moderate. 6061 aluminum tensile strength averages 35,000 to 42,000 psi in the T6 temper, making it the better choice for applications that require materials to handle more significant loads.
3003 aluminum vs. 6061 aluminum hardness
In the annealed state, 6061 aluminum slightly stronger than 3003. And because the softer 3003 aluminum is not heat treatable, the difference between 3003 aluminum and 6061 aluminum hardness increases further when 6061 is heat treated.
6061 aluminum vs. 3003 formability and ductility
Manganese tends to be a softer element, and having it as its primary alloy gives 3003 aluminum the edge in formability and ductility over 6061. But 6061 aluminum formability is still good. Its harder and stronger characteristics make it the right choice for certain applications, while 3003 aluminum is a better option for more extreme forming challenges.
3003 vs. 6061 aluminum machineability
Its softer nature reduces 3003 aluminum machineability somewhat, making it a bit more challenging to work with. The harder characteristics that make 6061 aluminum more machinable also make it less formable. It produces a high volume of small chips, allowing operators to create cleaner, more precise cuts.
6061 vs. 3003 aluminum thermal conductivity
Both 3003 aluminum and 6061 aluminum have good thermal conductivity, but 3003 is slightly more conductive than 6061. It should be stressed that this difference is minor, though: The choice of which alloy is best for a given application will usually depend more on other factors, such as strength or formability.
6061 aluminum vs. 3003 corrosion resistance
3003 aluminum corrosion resistance is excellent, holding up well in moist or wet environments. Its resistance to chemicals makes it a solid choice for chemical laboratory equipment or food handling. 6061 aluminum has slightly better corrosion resistance and can be anodized to enhance this property further. 6061 is often found in marine applications and other harsh environments.
6061 vs. 3003 aluminum weldability
3003 aluminum weldability is excellent. It can be welded using all conventional methods, including Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and Metal Inert Gas (MIG). Its simple chemical makeup allows it to maintain its strength and integrity, creating strong welds.
6061 aluminum weldability is good, although it’s not as simple to work with as 3003. More care needs to be taken with welding to avoid cracking.
3003 aluminum applications vs. 6061 applications
Because each alloy has unique characteristics, they each have niches where they are more commonly found. 3003 aluminum applications generally require high corrosion resistance and formability, such as kitchenware, sheet metal, and food & chemical equipment. 6061 aluminum applications tend to require higher strength and durability, such as structural or marine applications, automotive parts, and aerospace components.
3003 vs. 6061 aluminum cost
A major difference between 3003 and 6061 aluminum is the price. 3003 aluminum is a common alloy, has minimal processing requirements, and is easy to work with, making it comparatively cost effective. 6061 aluminum, on the other hand, has more complex alloying elements and requires additional processing, such as heat treatment, to enhance its favorable characteristics.
6061 vs. 3003 aluminum: which is better?
3003 aluminum and 6061 aluminum each have different strengths and weaknesses. The difference between 3003 and 6061 aluminum is that 3003 aluminum is cost-effective with excellent formability, weldability, and corrosion resistance, but it doesn’t have the strength of 6061 aluminum. This makes it an excellent choice for applications where excess strength isn’t necessary, such as HVAC ducts and house siding.
6061 aluminum is up to four times stronger than 3003, depending on the temper. It tends to be more costly than 3003, but its additional strength — along with superior toughness and corrosion resistance — justify the price for many industries that depend on durability. 6061 aluminum applications include structural components, automotive parts, and marine environments.
Both alloys are exceptional in their own way. Which is better depends on the needs of your specific application.
Ready to make a decision? Reach out to our aluminum specialists today to get started.