Aluminum 2017A · temper
Aluminum 2017A-T4
Properties of the T4 condition, compared with the other 2017A tempers.
The standard commercial condition for 2017A bar, rod and profiles — best all-round strength/toughness for machined fittings, rivets and bolts.
What is 2017A-T4?
2017A-T4 is 2017A in the T4 temper — the standard commercial condition for 2017A bar, rod and profiles — best all-round strength/toughness for machined fittings, rivets and bolts. 2017A-T4 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 72.5 GPa (10.5 Msi). 2017A-T4 has a density of 2.79 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of aluminum grades. It melts at 512°C (954 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 14%, better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
2017A-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2017A-T4 — 18 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 2017A temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
2017A-T4 has a density of 2.79 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of aluminum grades. It melts at 512°C (954 °F).
Mechanical14
2017A-T4 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 72.5 GPa (10.5 Msi).
Thermal6
2017A-T4 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 134 W/m·K (77.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23 µm/m·K (12.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2017A-T4 conducts electricity at 34 % IACS, worse than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2017A-T4 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
2017A-T4's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 2017A tempers and conditions
2017A is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 2017A overview.
- T3Cold-worked variant of T4 for sheet and drawn rod where slightly higher strength and straightness are needed.290 MPa yield · 115 HB
- T351Stress-relieved plate/bar for machined parts that must stay dimensionally stable after heavy stock removal.275 MPa yield · 112 HB
- T4The standard commercial condition for 2017A bar, rod and profiles — best all-round strength/toughness for machined fittings, rivets and bolts.260 MPa yield · 110 HB
- T452T4 condition for forgings and hand-forged blocks in which residual stress is removed by cold compression, giving T4-level strength with low distortion on machining.250 MPa yield · 105 HB
- H111Soft, near-annealed 2017A with only incidental strain hardening from straightening or forming; used as a workable pre-heat-treatment condition.100 MPa yield · 52 HB
- OChoose for deep forming, bending or cold heading of rivets before solution treatment.75 MPa yield · 45 HB
Working with 2017A-T4
Is 2017A easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour in T4/T351 with short chips; use sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high speed and flood emulsion to avoid built-up edge.
Can 2017A be welded?
Not suited to fusion (MIG/TIG) welding due to hot cracking and loss of temper — join by riveting, bolting, adhesive or friction stir welding.
Can 2017A be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O temper or within a few hours of solution treatment (refrigerate to delay natural ageing); T4 tolerates only mild bends with generous radii.
What surface finishes work on 2017A?
Requires protection: chromate/chrome-free conversion coating plus paint, or hard anodizing; decorative bright anodizing gives a dull grey, Cu-mottled finish, and cladding or Alclad-type sheet is used for corrosive service.
2017A 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 | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0.7 | 0.35 |
| Cuprincipal strengthening element | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Mg | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Ti+Zrcombined limit per EN 573-3 | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2017A-T4 — frequently asked
What is 2017A-T4 used for?
2017A-T4 is typically used for rivets, structural plate and aircraft fittings. In short: european 2017 variant; rivet stock.
What is the yield strength of 2017A-T4?
2017A-T4 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 2017A-T4 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour in T4/T351 with short chips; use sharp polished-flute carbide tools, high speed and flood emulsion to avoid built-up edge.
Can 2017A-T4 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not suited to fusion (MIG/TIG) welding due to hot cracking and loss of temper — join by riveting, bolting, adhesive or friction stir welding.
What surface finishes work on 2017A-T4?
Requires protection: chromate/chrome-free conversion coating plus paint, or hard anodizing; decorative bright anodizing gives a dull grey, Cu-mottled finish, and cladding or Alclad-type sheet is used for corrosive service.
Can 2017A-T4 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O temper or within a few hours of solution treatment (refrigerate to delay natural ageing); T4 tolerates only mild bends with generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2017A-T4?
2017A-T4 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2017A-T4?
Yes — 2017A-T4 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
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- EN 755-2 Aluminium 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)
- DIN 1725 / Werkstoff 3.1325 AlCuMgSi — DIN (1986)
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.