1060 3003 3004 color coated aluminum coil sheet
1060 / 3003 / 3004 Color Coated Aluminum Coil Sheet - Choose by "What the Product Must Survive"
Most buyers compare color coated aluminum coil sheet by price or alloy name. A more practical way is to choose by what the finished panel must survive: forming, corrosion, impact, heat, and long-term appearance. From that viewpoint, 1060, 3003, and 3004 are not "better or worse"-they are optimized for different stress types.
1) What "Color Coated" Really Adds (and What It Doesn't)
A color coated coil is typically:
- Aluminum substrate (1060 / 3003 / 3004)
- Pretreatment (improves adhesion and corrosion resistance)
- Primer + topcoat (PE, PVDF, SMP, etc.)
- Optional back coat for balanced performance
point: the coating protects the surface, but the alloy still determines strength and formability. If the part is deeply formed or must resist dents, you must pick the right alloy first-then pick the coating system.
2) Alloy Selection by Real-World "Failure Mode"
A) If your biggest risk is visible waviness or "oil canning"
- Prefer: 3004
- Why: 3004 has higher strength than 3003/1060, so thin sheets stay flatter and resist buckling.
- Typical uses: roofing, cladding, façade panels, roll-formed profiles where stiffness matters.
B) If your biggest risk is cracking during bending/roll forming
- Prefer: 3003 (balanced) or 1060 (softest)
- Why: 1060 is very ductile; 3003 is also highly formable but stronger than 1060.
- Typical uses: trims, channels, ceiling panels, lightly formed decorative sheets.
C) If your biggest risk is dents from handling, transport, hail, or foot traffic
- Prefer: 3004
- Why: stronger substrate improves dent resistance even with the same coating thickness.
D) If your biggest risk is corrosion in humid/industrial environments
- Prefer: 3003 or 3004
- Why: both are Al-Mn series with good corrosion resistance; coating system and pretreatment still matter most.
- Note: 1060 also resists corrosion well, but it's mechanically softer-damage to coating is more likely in rough service.
3) Practical Differences: 1060 vs 3003 vs 3004 (Customer Quick Guide)
1060 (Al ≥ 99.6%)
- Strength: lowest
- Formability: excellent
- Best for: decorative sheets, light forming, applications valuing high purity and ductility
- Watch-out: easier to dent; may require thicker gauge to meet stiffness needs
3003 (Al-Mn)
- Strength: medium (common "workhorse")
- Formability: very good
- Best for: general-purpose color coated coil, interior/exterior panels, trims, insulation jacketing
- Watch-out: if you need extra stiffness/dent resistance at thin gauges, 3004 is usually better
3004 (Al-Mn-Mg)
- Strength: higher than 3003
- Formability: good (still very workable in coil coating tempers)
- Best for: roofing, siding, roll forming, parts that must stay flat and resist dents
- Watch-out: for extremely tight bends, confirm temper and bend radius requirements
4) Coating Choice: Match the Environment, Not Just the Color
Even the best alloy can't compensate for a coating that's wrong for the job.
- PE (Polyester): cost-effective, good for interior and general exterior with moderate UV
- PVDF: superior UV/weathering-preferred for long-life façade and harsh sunlight regions
- SMP/HDPE (varies by supplier): often between PE and PVDF, good scratch and weather balance
Distinctive viewpoint: If the project goal is "color stability for 10–20 years," the coating is usually the deciding factor. If the goal is "no dents, no buckles, easy forming," the alloy/gauge is the deciding factor.
5) What to Confirm When Ordering (Avoid Rework)
To make 1060/3003/3004 color coated coil sheet perform as expected, confirm these items clearly:
- Alloy + temper (commonly H14/H24, etc., depending on forming needs)
- Thickness & tolerance (stiffness and flatness depend heavily on gauge)
- Coating system (PE/PVDF/SMP), topcoat thickness, and back coat
- Gloss / color standard (RAL, Pantone, sample approval)
- Film protection type and removal requirement
- Application (roofing, façade, ceiling, appliance, insulation) to match pretreatment and coating
Bottom Line
- Choose 1060 when you prioritize maximum ductility and a softer, easy-forming substrate.
- Choose 3003 when you want the most versatile, stable, all-around option.
- Choose 3004 when your product must stay flat, resist dents, and perform better in thin gauges-especially in roll-formed roofing and cladding.