3003 H14 vs H24 Aluminum Sheet: Technical Comparison of Properties & Uses | GYAL

3003 H14 vs H24 Aluminum Sheet: A Technical Comparison of Mechanical Properties and Applications

Selecting the correct aluminum alloy and temper is a fundamental engineering decision that directly impacts manufacturing success, product performance, and total cost. For the widely used 3003 aluminum alloy, the choice between H14 and H24 tempers is frequently encountered. While both are considered “half-hard,” a precise understanding of their distinct mechanical properties and manufacturing behaviors is crucial. This technical analysis from Gwangyang Aluminum (GYAL), an IATF 16949 certified manufacturer, provides engineers, designers, and procurement specialists with the data-driven insights needed to specify the optimal material for their application.

Fundamental Definitions: The “H” Temper Designation

The “H” in H14 and H24 stands for “strain-hardened.” The digits specify the exact process:

• First Digit (1 or 2): Indicates the hardening method.

• H1x: Strain-hardened only. Strength is achieved solely through cold working after annealing.

• H2x: Strain-hardened and partially annealed. The material is cold-worked beyond the desired final strength, then given a low-temperature thermal treatment to partially soften it and stabilize the properties.

• Second Digit (4): Represents the degree of hardness. “4” denotes a half-hard condition, a standard workhorse level between the fully soft (O) and full-hard (H18) states.

Therefore, 3003-H14 is cold-rolled to a half-hard condition. 3003-H24 is cold-rolled to a slightly higher strength level and then partially annealed back to the half-hard specification. This subtle process difference yields distinct performance characteristics.

Mechanical Properties: A Detailed Comparison

The core difference lies in the shape of the stress-strain curve and the resulting properties. The following table compares typical minimum/standard values for GYAL-produced 3003 sheet per ASTM B209:

Application Selection: When to Use H14 vs. H24

The choice is a classic trade-off: Higher Strength (H14) vs. Superior Formability and Stability (H24).

Specify 3003-H14 Aluminum Sheet When:

• Final Part Strength is Paramount: The component will be subject to significant static loads in service, and maximizing yield strength is the primary design goal.

• Forming Requirements are Minimal: The application involves simple shearing, blanking, or very mild bending where high ductility is not a factor.

• Flatness Under Stress is Critical: For large, flat panels that must remain rigid with minimal deflection, the higher stiffness of H14 can be beneficial.

• Applications: Structural panels with limited bends, stiffening plates, certain types of heat exchanger fins where high thermal cycles are not a concern.

Specify 3003-H24 Aluminum Sheet When:

• Moderate to Severe Forming is Required: The part will undergo deep drawing, spinning, or bending with a tight radius. The higher elongation of H24 drastically reduces the risk of cracking or tearing at the bend lines.

• Dimensional Stability After Fabrication is Key: For complex fabricated assemblies, the lower residual stress in H24 minimizes warping and unpredictable springback, ensuring parts fit together as designed.

• A Balance of Strength and Workability is Needed: This is the most common scenario. H24 provides substantial strength for end-use while offering much-needed forgiveness and consistency in the fabrication shop.

• Applications: Drawn housings, kitchenware (pots, pans), signage requiring brake-forming, electronic chassis, and any component where reliable, repeatable forming is as important as final strength.

Fabrication Considerations: Bending, Welding, and Finishing

• Bending: For a given thickness, 3003-H24 will allow a tighter minimum bend radius without failure compared to H14. Always refer to bend allowance charts specific to the temper.

• Welding: Both tempers are readily weldable using standard techniques (GTAW/TIG, GMAW/MIG). However, the heat from welding will create a locally annealed, softened heat-affected zone (HAZ). This effect is more pronounced when welding H14, as the contrast between the hard base metal and soft HAZ is greater.

• Machining & Finishing: Both tempers machine and finish similarly. The more stable H24 temper may produce less distortion on intricate machined parts. Both provide an excellent surface for anodizing, painting, or powder coating.

The GYAL Difference: Precision Where It Matters

The theoretical advantages of H24 only hold true if the material is consistently and accurately processed. Gwangyang Aluminum’s IATF 16949 certification ensures this precision:

• Precise Temper Control: Our controlled rolling and annealing furnaces are managed to hit exact mechanical property targets, ensuring every batch of 3003-H14 or -H24 performs as specified.

• Guaranteed Consistency: Lot-to-lot variation is minimized. The elongation benefit you select H24 for will be reliably present in every sheet and coil.

• Full Documentation: We provide comprehensive Mill Test Certificates (MTCs) with actual tensile, yield, and elongation data for your quality records and engineering validation.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Specification

The decision between 3003-H14 and H24 is not arbitrary. For maximum strength in a simple part, choose H14. For enhanced formability, dimensional stability, and fabrication reliability in a complex part, choose H24. In many industrial applications, the superior manufacturability of 3003-H24 makes it the preferred and lower-risk choice, potentially reducing scrap and rework costs.

Unsure which temper is right for your design?

Consult the experts at Gwangyang Aluminum. Our technical team can review your application and forming processes to recommend the optimal grade. Request a copy of our detailed 3003 Aluminum Technical Data Sheet or ask for material samples of both H14 and H24 tempers to perform your own validation tests.