Aluminum 3004 · temper
Aluminum 3004-H38
Properties of the H38 condition, compared with the other 3004 tempers.
Maximum-strength stabilized 3004 sheet/strip for flat panels, closures and shells where only minimal forming follows.
What is 3004-H38?
3004-H38 is 3004 in the H38 temper — maximum-strength stabilized 3004 sheet/strip for flat panels, closures and shells where only minimal forming follows. 3004-H38 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 3004-H38 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 629°C (1,164 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 41 % IACS, better than 78% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 161 W/m·K (93 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 75% of aluminum grades
3004-H38 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3004-H38 — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 3004 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
3004-H38 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 629°C (1,164 °F).
Mechanical11
3004-H38 has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
3004-H38 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 161 W/m·K (93 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.2 µm/m·K (12.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
3004-H38 conducts electricity at 41 % IACS, better than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (68/100), better than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3004-H38 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
3004-H38's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 53% of aluminum grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 3004 tempers and conditions
3004 is also supplied in 14 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 3004 overview.
- H18Full-hard strip for maximum strength/springiness in flat or simply bent parts.270 MPa yield · 78 HB
- H28Full-hard partially annealed 3004 strip at maximum strain-hardened strength with minimal ductility, used for can bodies and shutter/fin stock.250 MPa yield · 77 HB
- H38Maximum-strength stabilized 3004 sheet/strip for flat panels, closures and shells where only minimal forming follows.250 MPa yield · 77 HB
- H36Higher-strength stabilized sheet for lightly formed pressure/structural panels and closure stock.230 MPa yield · 70 HB
- H26Three-quarter-hard partially annealed 3004 sheet/strip with high strength and limited residual formability.225 MPa yield · 70 HB
- H14General-purpose half-hard cold-rolled sheet/strip where higher yield than H34 is wanted and bend radii can stay generous.215 MPa yield · 66 HB
- H34The most commonly stocked 3004 temper: half-hard stabilized sheet for pressure-tight drawn parts, drums, panels and utensils that still need bending and stretch forming.200 MPa yield · 63 HB
- H24Half-hard partially annealed 3004 sheet — the common general-purpose strength/formability compromise for roofing, siding and can ends.200 MPa yield · 63 HB
- H22Cold-rolled then partially annealed 3004 sheet at quarter-hard strength, mechanically close to H32 but with better ductility retention.170 MPa yield · 52 HB
- H32Stabilized quarter-hard sheet; best balance of formability and strength for roofing, siding and drawn housings.170 MPa yield · 52 HB
- H112Hot-worked plate/extruded 3004 supplied as-fabricated with guaranteed minimum strength, only slightly above annealed level.85 MPa yield · 46 HB
- OPick for maximum ductility: severe deep drawing, spinning, roll forming and multi-stage stamping.70 MPa yield · 45 HB
Working with 3004-H38
Is 3004 easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/H32 tempers — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous lubrication; harder H36/H38/H19 tempers cut and part off much more cleanly.
Can 3004 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded with 5356 or 4043 filler (5356 for higher joint strength); the HAZ reverts toward O temper so design joints for annealed properties.
Can 3004 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability — O and H32 take deep draws and spinning; stabilized H3x tempers resist age-softening and Lüders marking, and H19 is engineered specifically for draw-and-iron canmaking.
What surface finishes work on 3004?
Takes clear/hard anodising, chromate or chrome-free conversion coatings, coil-coated paint and lithographic lacquers well; bright decorative anodising is only fair because Mn gives a grey cast, so paint or coil coating is preferred for cosmetic panels.
3004 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.5 | 1.2 |
| Mg | 0.8 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | ≥ 96.3 (balance) | — |
3004-H38 — frequently asked
What is 3004-H38 used for?
3004-H38 is typically used for beverage can bodies, roofing and siding sheet, chemical drums, lighting reflectors, cooking utensils and deep-drawn and spun housings. In short: can body alloy; higher strength.
What is the yield strength of 3004-H38?
3004-H38 has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) — stronger than 65% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 15 listed tempers.
Is 3004-H38 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 53% of aluminum grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge in O/H32 tempers — use sharp polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous lubrication; harder H36/H38/H19 tempers cut and part off much more cleanly.
Can 3004-H38 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded with 5356 or 4043 filler (5356 for higher joint strength); the HAZ reverts toward O temper so design joints for annealed properties.
What surface finishes work on 3004-H38?
Takes clear/hard anodising, chromate or chrome-free conversion coatings, coil-coated paint and lithographic lacquers well; bright decorative anodising is only fair because Mn gives a grey cast, so paint or coil coating is preferred for cosmetic panels.
Can 3004-H38 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability — O and H32 take deep draws and spinning; stabilized H3x tempers resist age-softening and Lüders marking, and H19 is engineered specifically for draw-and-iron canmaking.
What is the maximum service temperature of 3004-H38?
3004-H38 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 3004-H38?
Yes — 3004-H38 is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 485-2 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys: sheet, strip and plate, mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Can body stock / 3004 sheet & coil datasheets — Constellium / Novelis (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.