Aluminum 2011A
AA 2011A
2011A (AlCu6BiPb(A)) is the European free-machining 2000-series alloy: an Al-Cu bar alloy with bismuth and lead chip-breaking additions and tightened composition limits for consistent automatic machining.
Reference datasheet — 2011A is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the T3 condition
2011A tempers and conditions
2011A is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. T3 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when some cold forming/straightening after machining is needed, or for extruded rod not cold drawn. | 215 | 330 | 18 | 85 HB | 39 % IACS |
T4, stress relieved by stretching | Low residual-stress bar for parts that must hold tolerance after heavy stock removal. | 220 | 330 | 17 | 85 HB | 39 % IACS |
T3Default Solution heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged | Standard stocked free-machining bar temper: best chip breaking with good strength. | 295 | 380 | 15 | 95 HB | 39 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Peak-aged temper (EN 755-2 listed) for maximum hardness in machined parts without cold drawing. | 300 | 390 | 12 | 100 HB | 43 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | T6 strength with stress relief; preferred for long thin turned parts and shafts. | 300 | 390 | 12 | 100 HB | 43 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Highest strength and most dimensionally stable temper; best surface finish at high cutting speeds. | 310 | 405 | 12 | 100 HB | 45 % IACS |
What is 2011A?
2011A (AlCu6BiPb(A)) is the European free-machining 2000-series alloy: an Al-Cu bar alloy with bismuth and lead chip-breaking additions and tightened composition limits for consistent automatic machining. It is used in T3, T4, T451, T6, T651 and T8 for turned and threaded parts; the default condition gives 380 MPa tensile, 295 MPa yield, 15 % elongation, 95 HB (60 HRB) and machinability rated 99. Corrosion resistance is poor (score 30), formability is low (score 22), it is essentially unweldable and service is limited to 100 °C. Use 6262 or 6082 where anodising, welding or corrosion resistance matter. 2011A has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 535°C (995 °F). 2011A has a yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 75% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 2011A used for?
- automatic lathe components
- precision fasteners
- electronic connector pins
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 99/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 15%, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 295 MPa (42.8 ksi), better than 75% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
2011A properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2011A-T3; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2011A has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 535°C (995 °F).
Mechanical12
2011A has a yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 75% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2011A is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °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
2011A conducts electricity at 39 % IACS, better than 65% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 98% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2011A takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
2011A's machinability is excellent (99/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability poor (22/100).
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. 2011A is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2011A
Is 2011A easy to machine?
Benchmark free-machining aluminum: short broken chips, very high speeds and excellent finish on Swiss-type lathes; ideal for small threaded and turned parts.
Can 2011A be welded?
Essentially unweldable by arc processes — Pb/Bi and high Cu cause severe hot cracking; join mechanically or by adhesive.
Can 2011A be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability, especially in T3/T6/T8; bending or riveting should be avoided or done in T4 with generous radii.
2011A 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 |
| Mnmax (limit added vs AA2011) | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Pbfree-machining addition | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Bifree-machining addition | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2011A?
Anodizing gives a dark, uneven film; use chromate conversion, painting or nickel/tin plating (with proper zincate) for protection and appearance.
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).
Organic Coating
How much does 2011A cost?
2011A is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
2011A — frequently asked
What is 2011A used for?
2011A is typically used for automatic lathe components, precision fasteners and electronic connector pins. In short: benchmark free-machining aluminum; machinability rated 99; unweldable, poor corrosion resistance.
What is the yield strength of 2011A?
2011A has a typical yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 75% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2011A easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (99/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades). Benchmark free-machining aluminum: short broken chips, very high speeds and excellent finish on Swiss-type lathes; ideal for small threaded and turned parts.
Can 2011A be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Essentially unweldable by arc processes — Pb/Bi and high Cu cause severe hot cracking; join mechanically or by adhesive.
What surface finishes work on 2011A?
Anodizing gives a dark, uneven film; use chromate conversion, painting or nickel/tin plating (with proper zincate) for protection and appearance.
Can 2011A be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability, especially in T3/T6/T8; bending or riveting should be avoided or done in T4 with generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2011A?
2011A is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 2011A-T3 and 2011A-T4?
T3 is the default condition — standard stocked free-machining bar temper: best chip breaking with good strength. T4: choose when some cold forming/straightening after machining is needed, or for extruded rod not cold drawn. Yield strength is 295 MPa in T3 versus 215 MPa in T4.
How much does 2011A cost?
2011A is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
Sources
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- EN 755-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 5 — Surface Engineering — ASM International (1994)
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.