3105 H16 aluminium coil is a manganese-bearing wrought alloy supplied in a strain-hardened temper, and it has become one of the standard materials for roofing, cladding and closure stock in Turkey's construction sector. This guide explains what the designation means, why the alloy suits Turkish fabricators, how it compares with 3003 and 5052, and which points belong in a purchase specification.
What Does the 3105 H16 Designation Mean?
Alloy 3105 belongs to the 3000 series, in which manganese is the main alloying addition; it also carries a controlled magnesium content of roughly 0.20 to 0.80 percent, which lifts its strength above commercially pure 1000-series metal and above standard 3003. The H16 temper comes from the H1 strain-hardened series, where the digit following H1 indicates the degree of work hardening: 6 corresponds to approximately three-quarter hard, with H14 half hard and H18 full hard. H16 therefore sits between them, giving a coil that is strong enough for load-bearing cladding while remaining ductile enough for roll forming, welding and coil coating.
Typical mechanical values for 3105 H16 sheet are in the region of 195 to 210 MPa tensile strength and about 165 to 175 MPa yield strength, at a density of roughly 2.72 g/cm³. The governing values for any order are those stated on the mill certificate and in the applicable specification: ASTM B209 for aluminium sheet and plate, or EN 485-2 and EN 573-3 for strip and chemical composition.
Why Is 3105 H16 Coil Widely Used in Turkey?
Turkey's building and transport sectors consume large volumes of lightweight, long-life sheet material, and 3105 H16 coil meets that demand at a competitive cost per square metre of installed panel.
Atmospheric corrosion resistance - the manganese and magnesium additions produce a surface that resists industrial and coastal atmospheres without extra protection, which matters for projects along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
Higher strength than 1000-series and 3003 metal - equivalent panel stiffness can be reached with a lighter gauge.
Welding and coating versatility - the alloy welds cleanly and accepts liquid paint, polyester and PVDF coil coatings.
Finishing flexibility - a wide range of colour coatings is available for architectural and decorative cladding.
Typical Applications in Turkey
| Sector | Typical products | Why 3105 H16 fits |
|---|---|---|
| Building envelope | Roofing sheets, siding, curtain wall panels, ceiling panels, rainwater goods and downpipes | Corrosion resistance with enough strength for self-supporting profiles |
| Transport | Truck trailer skins, caravan and bus body panels, vehicle interior panels | Weight saving with good formability and coating adhesion |
| Packaging | Bottle caps, lids and closures for food containers | Consistent gauge and clean surface for high-speed press lines |
| Decorative | Pre-painted aluminium sheets for facades and signage | Even colour after coil coating and forming |
How 3105 H16 Compares with 3003 and 5052
| Comparison | 3105 H16 | 3003 | 5052 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main alloying elements | Mn with extra Mg | Mn | Mg with Cr |
| Strength | Slightly higher than 3003 | Lower | Higher than 3105 |
| Corrosion resistance | Good, comparable to 3003 | Good | Excellent, including marine service |
| Cost and production simplicity | Economical, easy to roll and coat | Economical | Higher cost, harder to form |
| Best fit | Architectural, packaging and non-structural sheet | General sheet work | Marine, pressure and structural duty |
The practical conclusion is straightforward: 3105 gives more strength than 3003 at almost the same corrosion performance, and it is more economical and easier to form than 5052, which is why it dominates architectural and packaging sheet. Where the service environment is aggressive or the panel is structurally loaded, 5052 or a 5083-type alloy is the better choice.
Specifying 3105 H16 Coil for a Turkish Project
Temper and alloy: 3105 H16, supplied to ASTM B209 or EN 485-2, with chemical composition to EN 573-3.
Thickness and width: state nominal gauge plus the tolerance class required, and the coil inner diameter and maximum coil weight that the customer's line can handle.
Flatness and edge condition: specify flatness limits and whether slit or mill edges are acceptable, since these drive forming quality on long roofing profiles.
Coating system: liquid or coil coating type, top-coat thickness in micrometres, backer coat requirement and colour tolerance for pre-painted orders.
Surface quality: oil film level, freedom from roll marks, and interleaving paper for pre-painted coil to prevent abrasion in sea freight.
Documentation: mill test certificate per EN 10204 3.1 covering mechanical properties and composition for each heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is 3105 H16 the same as 3003 H14?
No. Both are 3000-series alloys, but 3105 contains extra magnesium, which gives it higher strength, and H16 is a harder temper than H14. They are not directly interchangeable in forming calculations.
Q: What does H16 mean in a temper designation?
H16 belongs to the H1 strain-hardened series. The digit after H1 gives the degree of work hardening: 4 is half hard, 6 is approximately three-quarter hard and 8 is full hard.
Q: Can 3105 H16 coil be welded?
Yes. The alloy responds well to TIG and MIG welding and is widely used in fabricated roofing and rainwater goods, although welded zones lose some of the temper strength and should be allowed for in design.
Q: Can 3105 H16 be supplied pre-painted?
Yes. The alloy is regularly coil coated with polyester or PVDF systems, and the clean, consistent surface gives good paint adhesion and colour uniformity for facade panels.
Q: Is 3105 H16 suitable for coastal environments?
It performs well in normal urban and coastal atmospheres. For permanent immersion, heavy salt spray or structural marine duty, 5052 or 5083 grades offer better corrosion performance.
