3003 H24 Aluminum Sheet for Heat Exchanger Fins | Thermal Performance & Formability | GYAL
3003 H24 Temper Sheet for Heat Exchanger Fins: The Optimal Choice for Thermal Performance and Formability
In the demanding world of heat exchanger manufacturing, material selection is a critical engineering decision that directly impacts thermal efficiency, production yields, and long-term reliability. For fin stock applications—where thin-gauge material must combine exceptional thermal conductivity, precise formability, and structural integrity—3003 aluminum alloy in the H24 temper has emerged as the industry-preferred solution. At Gwangyang Aluminum (GYAL), we produce premium 3003-H24 aluminum sheet and coil engineered specifically for the rigorous requirements of heat exchanger fin fabrication, serving automotive radiators, HVAC condensers, industrial coolers, and power generation equipment.
Understanding 3003-H24: The Ideal Temper for Heat Exchanger Fins
Metallurgical Foundation: Why 3003 Alloy?
3003 aluminum belongs to the Al-Mn (3xxx) series, a non-heat-treatable alloy containing 1.0-1.5% manganese as its primary alloying element . This composition provides:
Excellent Thermal Conductivity: Approximately 190 W/m·K, significantly higher than many competing alloys
Superior Corrosion Resistance: The manganese-stabilized oxide layer protects against moisture, refrigerants, and atmospheric exposure
Good Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Sufficient rigidity for fin stability without excessive weight
Excellent Brazing Compatibility: Forms strong metallurgical bonds with clad materials during furnace brazing
The H24 Temper Advantage
The H24 temper designation indicates the material has been strain-hardened to approximately half-hard condition, then partially annealed (stabilized) to achieve a unique balance of properties . This processing delivers:
Property | 3003-H24 Typical Values | Significance for Fins |
Tensile Strength | 140-185 MPa | Sufficient rigidity to resist airflow-induced vibration |
Yield Strength | ≥125 MPa | Maintains fin geometry under operating pressures |
Elongation | ≥3.0% | Allows tight-radius forming without cracking |
Thermal Conductivity | ~193 W/m·K | Maximizes heat transfer efficiency |
For comparison, 3003-H24 offers 50% higher thermal conductivity than 5052-O (138 W/m·K), enabling thinner fin gauges for equivalent thermal performance .
Critical Performance Characteristics for Heat Exchanger Applications
Formability and Fin Geometry Precision
Heat exchanger fins require intricate geometries—louvered, corrugated, serrated, or perforated patterns—that maximize surface area for heat transfer . 3003-H24's controlled elongation (≥3.0%) provides:
Tight Bend Radii: Capable of forming fin pitches down to 1.0-1.5mm without cracking
Consistent Springback Control: The partial annealing reduces internal stresses, ensuring dimensional accuracy across high-speed fin lines
Edge Quality: Clean, burr-free profiles that prevent tube punctures during assembly
The H24 temper's stability is particularly valuable for turbulator fins in oil coolers and intercoolers, where precise wave patterns directly influence pressure drop and heat transfer coefficients .
Brazing Performance and Collapse Resistance
Most aluminum heat exchangers are assembled using controlled atmosphere brazing (CAB), where temperatures reach 590-610°C. 3003-H24 fin stock offers:
Excellent Sag Resistance: Maintains fin height and geometry during the brazing cycle without collapsing or distorting
Grain Structure Stability: The Al-Mn intermetallics resist grain coarsening, preserving mechanical properties post-brazing
Clad Compatibility: Works seamlessly with 4343 or 4045 clad materials for tube and header assemblies
Research confirms that 3003-H24 fins achieve post-brazed tensile strength >135 MPa and maintain electrical conductivity above 41.5% IACS, ensuring long-term thermal performance .
Corrosion Resistance in Harsh Environments
Heat exchangers face diverse corrosive challenges:
Automotive Radiators: Coolant chemistry, road salts, and thermal cycling
HVAC Condensers: Moisture, atmospheric pollutants, and microbial growth
Industrial Coolers: Chemical exposure and high-humidity environments
3003-H24's manganese-enhanced oxide layer provides robust protection against pitting and galvanic corrosion, even when coupled with copper tubes or stainless steel headers . For enhanced marine or industrial applications, modified variants like 3003+1.5%Zn offer sacrificial protection without compromising formability .
Applications Across Heat Exchanger Types
Automotive Heat Exchangers
The transportation sector represents the largest market for 3003-H24 fin stock:
Application | Typical Thickness | Key Requirements |
Radiator Cooling Fins | 0.05-0.20 mm | High thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance |
Heater Core Fins | 0.08-0.15 mm | Formability for tight louver patterns |
Intercooler/Charge Air Cooler Fins | 0.10-0.25 mm | Strength for higher-pressure applications |
Oil Cooler Turbulators | 0.15-0.30 mm | Precision wave forming, collapse resistance |
Condenser/Evaporator Fins | 0.10-0.20 mm | Hydrophilic coating compatibility |
Industrial and HVAC Applications
Beyond automotive, 3003-H24 serves:
Power Generation Coolers: Large-scale fin packs for transformer and generator cooling
HVAC Condenser Coils: Residential and commercial air conditioning systems
Process Heat Exchangers: Chemical and food processing thermal management
Refrigeration Systems: Evaporator and condenser fins for commercial refrigeration
The GYAL Advantage for Heat Exchanger Manufacturers
IATF 16949 Certified Quality
Gwangyang Aluminum's automotive-grade quality management system ensures:
Precise Alloy Chemistry: Manganese content controlled within 1.0-1.5% for consistent properties
Tight Gauge Tolerances: ±0.0025mm for ultra-thin fin stock, critical for high-density fin packs
Uniform Mechanical Properties: Lot-to-lot consistency in tensile strength, yield, and elongation
Surface Quality Assurance: Clean, oil-free surfaces that ensure reliable braze joint formation
Optimized Product Forms
We supply 3003-H24 configured for efficient heat exchanger production:
Master Coils: For high-volume fin line operations
Slit-to-Width Coils: Custom widths from 10mm to 1400mm
Thickness Range: 0.05mm to 0.5mm for diverse fin applications
Surface Options: Mill finish, or pre-treated for hydrophilic/hydrophobic coatings
Technical Partnership
Our team provides:
Application Engineering Support: Recommending optimal tempers and gauges for specific heat exchanger designs
Process Validation Assistance: Sample coils for production trials
Documentation: Full Mill Test Certificates (MTCs) with every shipment
Material Selection Guide: 3003-H24 vs. Alternatives
Alloy/Temper | Advantages | Limitations | Best Application |
3003-H24 | Excellent balance of thermal conductivity, formability, and strength | Limited to moderate-temperature applications | General heat exchanger fins—radiators, condensers, evaporators |
3003+Zn variants | Enhanced corrosion resistance | Slightly reduced formability | Marine or industrial corrosive environments |
4343/3003/4343 clad | Self-brazing capability | Higher cost | Complex assemblies requiring integrated brazing |
5052-O | Superior saltwater resistance | 50% lower thermal conductivity, less formable | Marine heat exchangers where conductivity is secondary |
1100-O | Maximum thermal conductivity | Low strength, poor sag resistance | Non-structural applications only |
Conclusion: The Smart Choice for Heat Exchanger Performance
For manufacturers seeking the optimal balance of thermal efficiency, production reliability, and cost-effectiveness, 3003-H24 aluminum sheet and coil represents the engineering sweet spot. Its proven performance across automotive, HVAC, and industrial applications—combined with GYAL's IATF-certified quality and supply reliability—makes it the intelligent foundation for high-performance heat exchanger production.
Ready to optimize your heat exchanger fin production with premium 3003-H24 material?
Contact the GYAL technical team today to discuss your specific requirements. Request a sample coil for production trials, ask for detailed technical data, or obtain a competitive quotation for your volume needs. Let us demonstrate why leading heat exchanger manufacturers worldwide choose Gwangyang Aluminum as their trusted partner for critical fin stock applications.
