3003 aluminum circle is a round disc cut from 3003 aluminum sheet — a manganese-alloyed aluminum with approximately 1.0–1.5% manganese content. It is also called 3003 aluminum disc or 3003 aluminum round blank.
Compared to 1100 aluminum circle, 3003 offers about 20% higher tensile strength while remaining highly formable. It deep-draws, spins, and stamps cleanly. It resists corrosion in outdoor and food-contact environments. It is the preferred material for cookware, pressure vessels, and industrial stamped parts where slightly more strength than pure aluminum is required.
3003 aluminum is the most widely used aluminum alloy in the circle and disc market globally. It balances formability, strength, corrosion resistance, and price — making it the default choice for most cookware manufacturers.
Key Properties at a Glance:
- Density: 2.73 g/cm³ — lightweight
- Tensile strength (O temper): 95–130 MPa — stronger than 1100
- Thermal conductivity: 190 W/m·K — excellent for cookware
- Elongation (O temper): 20–30% — highly formable
- Corrosion resistance: excellent in food, water, and outdoor environments
- Food contact compliant: meets FDA and EU food safety regulations
- Surface: accepts anodizing, painting, and non-stick coating
Chemical Composition of 3003 Aluminum Circle:
| Element | Content |
|---|
| Aluminum (Al) | Balance (~97.8–99.0%) |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.0–1.5% |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.05–0.20% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.60% maximum |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.70% maximum |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.10% maximum |
| Other elements | 0.15% total maximum |
The manganese addition (1.0–1.5%) is what separates 3003 from 1100. Manganese increases tensile strength by solid-solution hardening without significantly reducing ductility or corrosion resistance. This makes 3003 a stronger but still highly formable alloy.
Mechanical Properties by Temper:
| Temper | Tensile Strength | Yield Strength | Elongation | Typical Use |
|---|
| O (annealed) | 95–130 MPa | 35–45 MPa | 20–30% | Deep drawing, spinning, cookware |
| H12 | 120–160 MPa | 105 MPa min | 10% | Light forming, tank bodies |
| H14 | 140–180 MPa | 125 MPa min | 8% | General fabrication, signs |
| H16 | 160–200 MPa | 145 MPa min | 5% | Stiff stamped parts |
| H18 | 185 MPa min | 165 MPa min | 4% | Rigid discs, minimal forming |
For cookware deep drawing and spinning, O (annealed) temper is the standard specification. For signs, decorative parts, and structural discs, H14 or H16 is preferred.
Standard Size Range:
| Parameter | Range |
|---|
| Thickness | 0.3 mm – 6.0 mm |
| Diameter | 100 mm – 1,500 mm |
| Temper | O, H12, H14, H16, H18 |
| Surface | Mill finish, bright finish, anodized |
| Material | Hot rolled / Cold rolled |
Common Cookware Circle Sizes for 3003:
| Application | Diameter | Thickness |
|---|
| Small frying pan blank | 200–250 mm | 1.5–2.5 mm |
| Standard frying pan blank | 280–320 mm | 2.0–3.0 mm |
| Wok blank | 360–400 mm | 2.0–3.5 mm |
| Pressure cooker body | 220–280 mm | 2.5–4.0 mm |
| Pot blank | 260–340 mm | 2.0–3.5 mm |
| Storage tank disc | 300–600 mm | 3.0–6.0 mm |
Custom thickness, diameter, and edge finish are available to order. Minimum order quantity for custom sizes: 1–3 metric tonnes.
What Is the Difference Between 1100 and 3003 Aluminum Circle?
This is the most common question from cookware and fabrication buyers. Both alloys are round aluminum blanks used for similar applications. The key difference is the manganese content in 3003.
| Property | 1100 | 3003 |
|---|
| Aluminum purity | 99.0% minimum | ~97.8% (1.0–1.5% Mn added) |
| Tensile strength (O temper) | 75–105 MPa | 95–130 MPa |
| Elongation (O temper) | 25–35% | 20–30% |
| Thermal conductivity | 222 W/m·K | 190 W/m·K |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Food contact compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Price per kg | Slightly higher | Standard — more competitive |
| Best for | Maximum formability, highest conductivity | Stronger parts, most cookware, general fabrication |
Choose 3003 when: you need more strength than pure aluminum, better durability for pressure vessels or storage tanks, or a more competitive price for high-volume cookware production.
Choose 1100 when: maximum deep-draw formability is required, or the highest possible thermal conductivity is a design requirement.
For most cookware manufacturers, 3003-O aluminum circle is the standard choice — it is strong enough, formable enough, food-safe, and competitively priced.
3003 Aluminum Circle Price
3003 aluminum circle price depends on four main factors: alloy and temper, thickness and diameter, surface finish, and order quantity.
- Alloy and temper: 3003-O is the most common and typically the most competitively priced temper.
- Thickness and diameter: thicker and larger discs require more material and more cutting time — price increases accordingly.
- Surface finish: mill finish is the base price. Bright finish and anodized surface carry a premium.
- Order quantity: orders above 5 metric tonnes receive better pricing. Standard MOQ for custom sizes is 1–3 metric tonnes.
3003 aluminum circle is generally priced slightly lower than 1100, because 1100 requires higher-purity aluminum input material. For most buyers, 3003 offers the better overall value.
Send your specification — diameter, thickness, temper, quantity — to zxaluminum01@gmail.com and we will reply within 24 hours with a firm price and lead time.
3003 Aluminum Bend Radius
For 3003-O (annealed) aluminum circle and sheet, the minimum bend radius is typically 0 to 0.5× material thickness for bends across the grain. This means a 2.0 mm thick 3003-O disc can be bent with a minimum inside radius of 0–1.0 mm without cracking.
For harder tempers, minimum bend radius increases:
| Temper | Minimum Bend Radius (× thickness) |
|---|
| O (annealed) | 0 – 0.5× |
| H12 | 0.5 – 1× |
| H14 | 1 – 1.5× |
| H16 | 1.5 – 2× |
| H18 | 2 – 3× |
If your application requires tight bending or forming, specify O temper when ordering. If you need a flat, rigid disc with no forming, H14 or H16 is more appropriate.
Why Order 3003 Aluminum Circle from Us?
- Direct manufacturer: we produce 3003 aluminum circles in our own facility — no trading company markup.
- Full size range: thickness 0.3–6.0 mm, diameter 100–1,500 mm, any temper from O to H18.
- Consistent quality: each batch is tested for chemical composition, mechanical properties, and dimensional tolerance before shipment.
- Custom sizes available: non-standard diameters and thicknesses accepted. MOQ 1–3 metric tonnes for custom specifications.
- Export experience: we ship to cookware manufacturers in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and South America. Full export documentation provided.
- Fast response: send your specification and receive a price quote within 24 hours.
Contact us at zxaluminum01@gmail.com with your diameter, thickness, temper, and quantity. We will reply within 24 hours.
