Stock code: 601677
Stock code: 601677
The 3003 aluminum cooling plate is almost an unavoidable choice when engineers design liquid‑cooled battery packs. It does not offer the highest thermal conductivity, nor is it the strongest alloy available. Yet it consistently ranks as one of the most selected materials for cold plates in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The reason lies in its exceptional balance of properties—good heat transfer, excellent corrosion resistance, easy formability, reliable weldability, and cost‑effectiveness. All these come together to make it a practical, dependable solution for real‑world production.
3003 is an Al‑Mn (aluminum‑manganese) alloy, often classified as a general‑purpose anti‑rust aluminum. Its performance can be summed up in one word: balanced.
– Thermal performance – It conducts heat well enough for most liquid‑cooling applications, ensuring efficient heat transfer from the cells to the coolant.
– Corrosion resistance – It performs reliably in ethylene‑glycol‑water mixtures, with minimal risk of pitting or crevice corrosion over long service cycles.
– Formability – The alloy is highly ductile, making it suitable for stamping, bending, and drawing into complex flow‑channel structures.
– Weldability – It works well with common brazing fillers such as 4343 and 4045, producing strong, leak‑tight joints.
– Light weight and economy – Its density is low, and its material cost is significantly lower than copper or many 6xxx‑series alloys.
These five attributes mean that 3003 is not just “usable” – it is “easy to work with, reliable in operation, and kind to the budget.”
Many engineers compare these three alloys during material selection. Here is a quick breakdown:
– 1050 pure aluminum – Offers the best thermal conductivity, but it is too soft. It tends to deform under vibration or pressure, making it unsuitable for structural loads in a battery pack.
– 6061 aluminum – Provides the highest strength, but its thermal conductivity is lower (about 167–180 W/(m·K)), and it costs more and is harder to form. Using it for cold plates is often over‑engineering.
– 3003 aluminum – Sits right in the middle. Its thermal conductivity is close to that of pure aluminum, while its strength is about 40% higher. It outperforms both alternatives in corrosion resistance and formability, delivering the best overall value for cooling plate applications.
In short: 1050 is too soft, 6061 is too stiff, and 3003 is just right.
Choosing the right alloy is only the first step. In volume production, the following points are equally important:
For complex flow‑channel stamping, the O temper (fully soft) is recommended for maximum formability. If you need better flatness or higher strength after forming, H22 or H24 tempers are good alternatives.
The surface condition of the incoming sheet directly affects downstream processes such as cleaning, stamping, and brazing. Tight thickness tolerances and good flatness also improve production yield and assembly efficiency. When ordering in bulk, always check the supplier’s capability in dimensional consistency.
While 3003 naturally resists corrosion well, adding an organic acid technology (OAT) corrosion inhibitor to the coolant can further enhance long‑term system reliability over the entire life cycle.
> It is worth noting that surface finishing and secondary fabrication (e.g., stamping, brazing) are typically performed by specialized downstream partners according to each project’s specific requirements.
This alloy has proven itself in a wide range of thermal management systems, including:
– Liquid cold plates for prismatic battery cells
– Cooling plates for pouch‑type cells
– Cold plates in stationary energy storage systems
– Integrated cooling structures in battery pack lower housings
Common thicknesses range from 0.8 mm to 3.0 mm, depending on the required flow‑channel depth and structural strength.
Q1: What is the thermal conductivity of 3003 aluminum for cooling plates?
It is about 193 W/(m·K) in the O temper and around 163 W/(m·K) in the H12 temper – a solid mid‑to‑high level among aluminum alloys.
Q2: What is the difference between 3003 and 3003MOD?
3003MOD has slightly adjusted Mn and Cu content to improve corrosion resistance and brazing compatibility, and it is often used in premium EV models.
Q3: Which temper is recommended for battery cooling plates?
Use O temper for complex stamping, or H22/H24 if you need better flatness or extra strength.
Q4: Does 3003 resist corrosion in ethylene‑glycol coolant?
Yes, it performs well, but using a corrosion inhibitor in the coolant is advised for maximum long‑term reliability.
Q5: Can 3003 be welded to other aluminum alloys?
Absolutely – it braze‑welds easily with 4343 and 4045 fillers, and also works with TIG welding.
For more application insights or to request samples of the 3003 aluminum cooling plate in various tempers and dimensions, Mingtai Aluminum offers technical support and customised supply solutions. We are happy to discuss your project requirements – feel free to get in touch.
