Al 3003 powder

Overview of Al 3003 Powder

Al 3003 or 3A21 aluminum is a wrought alloy known for its good cold formability, weldability and corrosion resistance. The manganese additions enhance strength through solid solution strengthening while maintaining workability.

Key characteristics of Al 3003 powder include:

• Moderate strength with good ductility
• Excellent formability and weldability
• Buona resistenza alla corrosione
• Alta conducibilità termica ed elettrica
• Bassa densità
• Available in a range of powder sizes and shapes

Al 3003 powder is used widely in chemical tanks, pipeline, automotive parts, heat exchangers, utensils, and other applications needing moderate strength, formability and corrosion resistance.

Chemical Composition of Al 3003 Powder

The typical chemical composition of Al 3003 powder is:

Elemento	% Peso
Alluminio (Al)	Equilibrio
Manganese (Mn)	1.0-1.5%
Ferro (Fe)	0,7% max
Silicio (Si)	max 0,6%
Rame (Cu)	0.05-0.20%
Zinco (Zn)	0,10% max
Magnesio (Mg)	0,10% max
Cromo (Cr)	0,10% max

Manganese is the main alloying element in 3003 aluminum. Iron, silicon and copper are present as impurity elements. The composition is controlled to ensure optimal properties.

Properties of Al 3003 Powder

Al 3003 powder possesses the following properties:

Proprietà	Valore
Densità	2,73 g/cm3
Punto di fusione	645-650¡«C
Conduttività termica	180 W/mK
Conduttività Elettrica	43-44% IACS
Modulo di Young	68-72 GPa
Rapporto di Poisson	0.33
Resistenza alla trazione	145-185 MPa
Limite di snervamento	110-140 MPa
Allungamento	12-20%
Durezza	35-55 Brinell

 

La lega offre una resistenza moderata con eccellente duttilità e formabilità. Ha una buona resistenza alla corrosione atmosferica. La conducibilità termica ed elettrica è elevata.

Production Method for Al 3003 Powder

Commercial production processes used for Al 3003 powder include:

• Atomizzazione a gas?- Molten alloy stream disintegrated by high pressure inert gas jets into fine spherical powders.
• Atomizzazione dell'acqua?- High velocity water jet impacts and disintegrates molten metal stream to produce fine powders.
• Fresatura meccanica?- Ball milling of aluminum flakes/powders to achieve finer particle sizes and powder characteristics.
• Elettrolisi?- Aluminum produced through electrolysis process and ground to fine powder. Lower purity.

Gas atomization provides the best control over particle size distribution, morphology and microstructure of the powder.

Applications of Al 3003 Powder

Al 3003 powder is used in the following main applications:

• manifattura additiva?- Selective laser melting, binder jetting and other 3D printing processes to produce complex components.
• Metallurgia delle polveri?- Compaction and sintering to create parts with good mechanical properties and machinability.
• Stampaggio a iniezione di metallo?- To manufacture small intricate components for automotive and electronics industry.
• Termo-spruzzatura?- Wire arc spraying to deposit Al 3003 coatings offering moderate wear and corrosion resistance.
• Materiale di apporto per la saldatura?- Used as filler wire for arc welding and repair of aluminum components.
• Pigmenti?- Used in paints and coatings to provide luster and corrosion protection.
• Pyrotecnica?- AGGIUNTO A COMPOSIZIONI PIROTECNICHE COME COMBUSTIBILE GRAZIE ALL’INFIAMMABILITA’ DELL’ALLUMINIO.

Specifications of Al 3003 Powder

Al 3003 powder is available under different size ranges, shapes and purity levels:

• Dimensione particellare:?From 10-150 microns for AM methods, up to 300 microns for thermal spray.
• Morfologia:?Spherical, granular, flake and irregular particle shapes. Smooth powder flows better.
• Purezza:?From commercial to high purity (99.8%) grades tailored for applications.
• Capacità di scorrimento?Powder customized for flow rates above 25 s/50 g.
• Gradi:?Conforming to ASTM B209, EN 573-3, ISO 209:2007 etc. Custom grades offered.

Global Suppliers of Al 3003 Powder

Some of the major Al 3003 powder suppliers globally are:

• Valimet Inc, USA
• Makin Metal Powders, UK
• Metal Powder Company, USA
• Shanghai Chaowei Nanotechnology, China
• AMETEK Reading Alloys, USA
• CNPC Powder Group, China
• SCM Metal Products, USA

These companies produce Al 3003 powder suitable for additive manufacturing, thermal spray, welding, powder metallurgy and other uses.

Al 3003 Powder Pricing

Pricing of Al 3003 powder depends on factors like:

• Livelli di purezza
• Distribuzione granulometrica
• Caratteristiche delle polveri
• Quantità ordine
• Elaborazione aggiuntiva
• Fornitore e sede

Grado	Fascia di prezzo
Commerciale	$3-8 per kg
Elevata purezza	8-15 $ al kg
Ultrafine	$15-30 al kg
Grado speciale	30-60 $ al kg

 

Ultrafine, spherical and gas atomized powders command much higher pricing than regular commercial grades.

Storage and Handling of Al 3003 Powder

Al 3003 powder should be properly stored and handled to prevent:

• Ossidazione e reazione con l'umidità
• Dust explosions from powder ignition
• Inhalation of fine powder causing health issues
• Safety practices advised by supplier should be followed

Si raccomanda lo stoccaggio con gas inerte, ventilazione adeguata, messa a terra e DPI durante la manipolazione della polvere.

Metodi di Test e Caratterizzazione

Key test methods used for Al 3003 powder include:

• Analisi chimica utilizzando OES o XRF per la composizione
• Distribuzione delle dimensioni delle particelle secondo lo standard ASTM B822
• Analisi morfologica tramite imaging SEM
• Flow rate measurement using Hall flow funnel
• Determinazione della densità mediante picnometria ad elio
• Test di impurità mediante ICP-MS
• Esame microstrutturale tramite diffrattometria a raggi X

These testing methods ensure reliable and consistent quality of the aluminum alloy powder.

Comparison Between Al 3003 and Al 6061 Powders

Al 3003 and Al 6061 are two aluminum alloy powders compared:

Parametro	Al 3003	Al 6061
Tipo lega	Non trattati a caldo	Trattato a caldo
Contenuto Mn	1.0-1.5%	0,15% max
Contenuto di Mg	0,1% max	0.8-1.2%
Forza	Moderato	Più alto
Resistenza alla corrosione	Bene	Eccellente
Saldabilità	Eccellente	Bene
Costi	Inferiore	Più alto
APPLICAZIONI	Chemical tanks, utensils	Aerospace, automotive parts

 

Al 6061 offers higher strength while Al 3003 provides better weldability and formability at a lower cost.

Al 3003 Powder FAQs

Q: How is Al 3003 powder produced?

A: Al 3003 powder is commercially produced using gas atomization, water atomization, mechanical milling, and electrolysis processes. Gas atomization offers the best control of particle characteristics.

Q: What are the main applications for Al 3003 powder?

A: Key applications include additive manufacturing, thermal spraying, powder metallurgy, metal injection molding, welding filler, pigments, and pyrotechnic compositions.

Q: What is the typical Al 3003 powder size used for laser sintering?

A: For selective laser sintering process, the common Al 3003 powder size range is 20-53 microns with spherical morphology for optimal powder bed density.

Q: Does Al 3003 powder require any special handling precautions?

A: Yes, aluminum powders can be flammable and pose explosion risks. It is recommended to handle them carefully under inert atmosphere using proper grounding, ventilation and PPE.

Q: Where can I procure Al 3003 powder suitable for thermal spray coatings?

A: Companies like Valimet, Makin Metal Powders, and AMETEK offer Al 3003 grades suitable for wire arc spray and flame spray coatings needing moderate wear and corrosion resistance.