Aluminum 2011 · temper
Aluminum 2011-T8
Properties of the T8 condition, compared with the other 2011 tempers.
Highest strength and best dimensional/thermal stability for 2011; standard for high-load turned fittings.
What is 2011-T8?
2011-T8 is 2011 in the T8 temper — highest strength and best dimensional/thermal stability for 2011; standard for high-load turned fittings. 2011-T8 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 407 MPa (59 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 2011-T8 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).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 100/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 310 MPa (45 ksi), better than 78% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 32/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
2011-T8 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2011-T8 — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 2011 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
2011-T8 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-T8 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 407 MPa (59 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2011-T8 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °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-T8 conducts electricity at 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), worse than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2011-T8 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-T8's machinability is excellent (100/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 2011 tempers and conditions
2011 is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 2011 overview.
- T8Highest strength and best dimensional/thermal stability for 2011; standard for high-load turned fittings.310 MPa yield · 100 HB
- T3The standard stocked condition for 2011 free-machining rod and bar; best all-round strength/chip-forming combination.296 MPa yield · 95 HB
- T6Pick when maximum hardness and thermal stability are needed without prior cold work.296 MPa yield · 100 HB
- T451T4 strength with low residual stress; preferred where thin-wall parts must stay dimensionally stable after machining.193 MPa yield · 85 HB
- T4Use when some cold forming or staking is needed after machining, or as the starting point for T8 ageing.193 MPa yield · 85 HB
- OSoftest state, used only as an intermediate condition before further working or heat treatment.90 MPa yield · 45 HB
Working with 2011-T8
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.
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.
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 | — |
2011-T8 — frequently asked
What is 2011-T8 used for?
2011-T8 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-T8?
2011-T8 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 407 MPa (59 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 2011-T8 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-T8 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-T8?
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-T8 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-T8?
2011-T8 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2011-T8?
Yes — 2011-T8 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.