Aluminum 2011
AA 2011 · UNS A92011 · EN AlCu6BiPb, AW-2011 · also FC1
2011 is a free-machining Al-Cu alloy containing 5–6% copper with bismuth and lead added as chip-breaking phases, supplied mainly as extruded and drawn bar (EN AW-2011 / A92011).
2011 tempers and conditions
2011 is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest state, used only as an intermediate condition before further working or heat treatment. | 90 | 165 | 25 | 45 HB | 45 % IACS |
T4, stress relieved by stretching | T4 strength with low residual stress; preferred where thin-wall parts must stay dimensionally stable after machining. | 193 | 324 | 18 | 85 HB | 39 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Use when some cold forming or staking is needed after machining, or as the starting point for T8 ageing. | 193 | 324 | 18 | 85 HB | 39 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked, stress relieved by stretching | Choose for long drawn bars where straightness and low residual stress matter for CNC turning. | 290 | 379 | 15 | 95 HB | 39 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | T6 properties with relieved residual stress for stable precision machined parts. | 290 | 385 | 12 | 100 HB | 44 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged | The standard stocked condition for 2011 free-machining rod and bar; best all-round strength/chip-forming combination. | 296 | 379 | 15 | 95 HB | 39 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Pick when maximum hardness and thermal stability are needed without prior cold work. | 296 | 390 | 12 | 100 HB | 44 % IACS |
T8, stress relieved by stretching | T8 strength in a stress-relieved bar; best choice for long slender turned components. | 305 | 400 | 12 | 100 HB | 45 % IACS |
T8 with stress relief by stretching, minor straightening permitted | Commercial straightened version of T851 for drawn/extruded bar supplied to automatic lathes. | 305 | 400 | 12 | 100 HB | 45 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Highest strength and best dimensional/thermal stability for 2011; standard for high-load turned fittings. | 310 | 407 | 12 | 100 HB | 45 % IACS |
What is 2011?
2011 is a free-machining Al-Cu alloy containing 5–6% copper with bismuth and lead added as chip-breaking phases, supplied mainly as extruded and drawn bar (EN AW-2011 / A92011). It is one of the most productive aluminum alloys on automatic and Swiss lathes and is chosen for screw-machine parts, fasteners and precision hardware; after heat treatment its strength approaches 2024 levels. The Bi/Pb phases make it essentially non-weldable and non-brazeable, and corrosion resistance and anodized appearance are poor, so coating or accepted colour variation is required. 2011 has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 541°C (1,006 °F). 2011 has a yield strength of 296 MPa (42.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — stronger than 76% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 2011 used for?
- Screw machine parts
- Threaded fasteners and studs
- Hose, pipe and hydraulic fittings
- Pneumatic and valve components
- Precision pins, bushings and spacers
- Instrument knobs and adjusting screws
- Electronic connector bodies
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 100/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 15%, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 296 MPa (42.9 ksi), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 25/100, worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
2011 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2011 has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 541°C (1,006 °F).
Mechanical11
2011 has a yield strength of 296 MPa (42.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — stronger than 76% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2011 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 152 W/m·K (87.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.9 µm/m·K (12.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2011 conducts electricity at 39 % IACS, better than 65% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (25/100), worse than 100% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2011 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
2011's machinability is excellent (100/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 2011 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2011
Is 2011 easy to machine?
Benchmark free-cutting aluminium: fine broken chips, excellent surface finish and long tool life at very high sfm; ideal for Swiss/automatic lathes.
Can 2011 be welded?
Essentially not weldable by fusion or brazing — Bi/Pb low-melting phases cause severe hot cracking; join mechanically or with adhesives.
Can 2011 be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability, especially in T3/T8; avoid tight bends, staking or riveting — form in T4/O only with generous radii.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 2011. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent100 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair25 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Poor10 / 100 |
2011 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | |
| Cu | 5 – 6 | 5.5 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Bichip-breaking phase | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Pbchip-breaking phase; RoHS exemption often required | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2011?
Chromate/phosphate conversion coatings and paint work well; clear anodize is grey/mottled from Cu and Bi/Pb inclusions, hard anodize possible but non-uniform; electroplating requires careful pretreatment.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 2011 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A92011
- Aluminum Association
- AA2011
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AlCu6BiPbAW-20113.1655
- Trade names
- FC1
How much does 2011 cost?
2011 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
2011 — frequently asked
What is 2011 used for?
2011 is typically used for screw machine parts, threaded fasteners and studs, hose, pipe and hydraulic fittings, pneumatic and valve components, precision pins, bushings and spacers and instrument knobs and adjusting screws. In short: fastest machining aluminum.
What is the yield strength of 2011?
2011 has a typical yield strength of 296 MPa (42.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 379 MPa (55 ksi) — stronger than 76% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 2011 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (100/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades). Benchmark free-cutting aluminium: fine broken chips, excellent surface finish and long tool life at very high sfm; ideal for Swiss/automatic lathes.
Can 2011 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Essentially not weldable by fusion or brazing — Bi/Pb low-melting phases cause severe hot cracking; join mechanically or with adhesives.
What surface finishes work on 2011?
Chromate/phosphate conversion coatings and paint work well; clear anodize is grey/mottled from Cu and Bi/Pb inclusions, hard anodize possible but non-uniform; electroplating requires careful pretreatment.
Can 2011 be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability, especially in T3/T8; avoid tight bends, staking or riveting — form in T4/O only with generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2011?
2011 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 2011 cost?
2011 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2011?
Yes — 2011 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B211 — Aluminum-Alloy Rolled or Cold Finished Bar, Rod, and Wire — ASTM (2019)
- EN 573-3 / EN 754-2 (EN AW-2011, AlCu6BiPb) — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum Standards and Data (typical mechanical/physical property tables) — The Aluminum Association (2017)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.