Aluminum 3003 is a general purpose manganese alloy that is stronger than the 1100 alloy. It offers fine corrosion resistance yet its anodizing characteristics are fair.

Unlike other aluminum alloys aluminum 3003 cannot be heat treated. It can, however, be cold worked to produce tempers with higher strength, but lower ductility.

Aluminum is created first by mining bauxite ore. The bauxite ore is ground and mixed with sodium hydroxide to create a slurry. The slurry is sent to a high-pressure container and heated to high temperatures. Aluminum oxide is dissolved by the sodium hydroxide and separated from the slurry. This is called alumina.

Alumina is dissolved in a cryolitic bath. Aluminum metal is separated from the chemical solution after an electrical current is passed through. The aluminum is then sent to a furnace for further mixing to form the various alloys.

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