Aluminum 2011A-T8
Temper
AA 2011A
T8 = solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged
Highest strength and most dimensionally stable temper; best surface finish at high cutting speeds.
Values for the T8 condition
Other 2011A tempers and conditions
2011A is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 2011A.
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 |
T8This page 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-T8?
2011A-T8 is 2011A in the T8 temper — highest strength and most dimensionally stable temper; best surface finish at high cutting speeds. 2011A-T8 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 405 MPa (58.7 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 2011A-T8 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). T3 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T8 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 100/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 172 W/m·K (99.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% 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 — 33/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
2011A-T8 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2011A-T8; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2011A reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2011A-T8 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-T8 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 405 MPa (58.7 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2011A-T8 is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °F). It conducts heat at 172 W/m·K (99.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.9 µm/m·K (12.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2011A-T8 conducts electricity at 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (33/100), worse than 91% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2011A-T8 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-T8's machinability is excellent (100/100, better than 100% of aluminum grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2011A-T8
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.
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.
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 | — |
2011A-T8 — frequently asked
What is 2011A-T8 used for?
2011A-T8 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-T8?
2011A-T8 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 405 MPa (58.7 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2011A-T8 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (100/100, 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-T8 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-T8?
Anodizing gives a dark, uneven film; use chromate conversion, painting or nickel/tin plating (with proper zincate) for protection and appearance.
Can 2011A-T8 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-T8?
2011A-T8 is rated for continuous use to about 130°C (266 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.