Aluminum 2025-T4
Temper
AA 2025 · UNS A92025
T4 = solution heat treated and naturally aged
Intermediate temper used when forgings must be straightened, coined or machined before final artificial aging.
Values for the T4 condition
Other 2025 tempers and conditions
2025 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 2025.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition for maximum workability, straightening or re-forging before heat treatment. | 95 | 205 | 24 | 55 HB | 47 % IACS |
As fabricated | As-forged stock with no controlled thermal treatment — bought for subsequent solution treating and aging. | 140 | 260 | 20 | 70 HB | 45 % IACS |
T4This page Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Intermediate temper used when forgings must be straightened, coined or machined before final artificial aging. | 215 | 370 | 22 | 100 HB | 34 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard delivery condition for 2025 forgings — full strength for propeller blades and structural forgings. | 255 | 400 | 19 | 110 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is 2025-T4?
2025-T4 is 2025 in the T4 temper — intermediate temper used when forgings must be straightened, coined or machined before final artificial aging. 2025-T4 has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) — stronger than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). 2025-T4 has a density of 2.81 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of aluminum grades. It melts at 520°C (968 °F). T6 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T4 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 22%, better than 91% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
2025-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2025-T4; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2025 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2025-T4 has a density of 2.81 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of aluminum grades. It melts at 520°C (968 °F).
Mechanical11
2025-T4 has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) — stronger than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
2025-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 60% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.7 µm/m·K (12.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2025-T4 conducts electricity at 34 % IACS, worse than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 98% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2025-T4 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability7
2025-T4's machinability is good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2025-T4
Is 2025 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly in T6 with sharp carbide tooling, high speeds and flood coolant; annealed/F material is gummy and needs positive-rake tools.
Can 2025 be welded?
Not recommended for arc welding (hot-cracking, loss of T6 properties) — join by riveting or bolting; resistance spot welding possible with qualified schedules.
Can 2025 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forgeability at roughly 420–460 °C, which is the alloy's reason for existence; cold forming should be done in O or T4 and followed by heat treatment.
What surface finishes work on 2025?
Anodize or chromate-convert plus prime for corrosion protection; shot peening improves fatigue life of forged blade sections.
2025 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 | 0.5 – 1.2 | 0.8 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 1 | — |
| Cuprincipal strengthening element | 3.9 – 5 | 4.5 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 1.2 | 0.8 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2025-T4 — frequently asked
What is 2025-T4 used for?
2025-T4 is typically used for propeller blades, forged aircraft components, forged airframe fittings, rotating forged blade sections, legacy aero-engine accessory forgings and machined-from-forging structural parts. In short: easy-forging 2000-series alloy; propeller-blade legacy grade; moderate strength, good ductility.
What is the yield strength of 2025-T4?
2025-T4 has a typical yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) — stronger than 58% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 2025-T4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades). Machines cleanly in T6 with sharp carbide tooling, high speeds and flood coolant; annealed/F material is gummy and needs positive-rake tools.
Can 2025-T4 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended for arc welding (hot-cracking, loss of T6 properties) — join by riveting or bolting; resistance spot welding possible with qualified schedules.
What surface finishes work on 2025-T4?
Anodize or chromate-convert plus prime for corrosion protection; shot peening improves fatigue life of forged blade sections.
Can 2025-T4 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forgeability at roughly 420–460 °C, which is the alloy's reason for existence; cold forming should be done in O or T4 and followed by heat treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2025-T4?
2025-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.
What is the difference between 2025-T6 and 2025-O?
T6 is the default condition — standard delivery condition for 2025 forgings — full strength for propeller blades and structural forgings. O: softest condition for maximum workability, straightening or re-forging before heat treatment. Yield strength is 255 MPa in T6 versus 95 MPa in O.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum Standards and Data — The Aluminum Association (2017)
- Properties and Physical Metallurgy of Aluminum Alloys (J.E. Hatch, ed.) — ASM International (1984)
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.