Aluminum 2038
AA 2038 · UNS A92038
2038 is an Al-Cu-Mg automotive body sheet alloy (UNS A92038) similar to 2008, tuned for improved formability and paint-bake response, and available in O, T4, T4P, T81 and T6.
Reference datasheet — 2038 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 T4 condition
2038 tempers and conditions
2038 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T4 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum drawability or for intermediate stock before solution treatment; too soft for structural panels. | 80 | 170 | 32 | 50 HB | 48 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, pre-aged/stabilised for controlled bake response | Choose when coil must be stocked for weeks before stamping: pre-ageing suppresses room-temperature ageing drift and maximises paint-bake yield gain. | 152 | 295 | 26 | 82 HB | 40 % IACS |
T4Default Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Standard as-delivered condition for automotive outer/inner body panels: high uniform elongation for stamping and hemming, then strengthened by the paint-bake cycle. | 160 | 300 | 25 | 85 HB | 40 % IACS |
Solution treated, cold worked ~2 % (stamped) and artificially aged by… | The in-service condition of a formed panel after e-coat/paint bake (~175–185 °C); use these values for dent-resistance and stiffness checks. | 250 | 345 | 18 | 100 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Peak-strength condition used for structural stampings or test coupons where formability is no longer required. | 300 | 375 | 12 | 115 HB | 41 % IACS |
What is 2038?
2038 is an Al-Cu-Mg automotive body sheet alloy (UNS A92038) similar to 2008, tuned for improved formability and paint-bake response, and available in O, T4, T4P, T81 and T6. In T4/T4P it offers 25 % elongation with a formability score of 82 at 160 MPa yield and 300 MPa tensile strength, then gains strength during the paint bake, which suits stamped outer panels and hems. Hardness is 85 HB, conductivity 152 W/m·K at 40 % IACS, and service is limited to about 100 °C. It is not fusion weldable and needs painting for corrosion protection; 6016 or 6111 sheet is the usual alternative where 2000-series supply is limited. 2038 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F). 2038 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 2038 used for?
- automotive outer body panels
- hoods
- fenders
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 82/100, better than 91% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 75% of aluminum grades
2038 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2038-T4; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2038 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F).
Mechanical10
2038 has a yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2038 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 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2038 conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 72% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2038 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
2038's machinability is good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability very good (82/100).
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. 2038 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2038
Is 2038 easy to machine?
Machines like other 2000-series sheet — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and flood coolant; T4 is gummy so prefer aged (T6/T81) coupons for trimming and drilling.
Can 2038 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking, Cu segregation); join by resistance spot welding, self-piercing rivets, clinching or structural adhesive.
Can 2038 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent stretch and draw formability in T4/T4P with flat hemming possible; form promptly after solution treatment/pre-age and avoid heavy pre-strain before bake.
2038 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 – 1.3 | 0.9 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Cumain strengthening / bake-response element | 0.8 – 1.5 | 1.1 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mg | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.15 | 0.02 |
| Others (each)others total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2038?
Requires phosphate/zirconium pretreatment plus e-coat or primer for durable corrosion protection; decorative anodizing is dull and mottled, so paint or laminate is the normal finish.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 2038 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A92038
How much does 2038 cost?
2038 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.
2038 — frequently asked
What is 2038 used for?
2038 is typically used for automotive outer body panels, hoods and fenders. In short: formable 2000-series body sheet; bake-hardening panel alloy; softest 2000 series in library.
What is the yield strength of 2038?
2038 has a typical yield strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 61% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 2038 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades). Machines like other 2000-series sheet — sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and flood coolant; T4 is gummy so prefer aged (T6/T81) coupons for trimming and drilling.
Can 2038 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking, Cu segregation); join by resistance spot welding, self-piercing rivets, clinching or structural adhesive.
What surface finishes work on 2038?
Requires phosphate/zirconium pretreatment plus e-coat or primer for durable corrosion protection; decorative anodizing is dull and mottled, so paint or laminate is the normal finish.
Can 2038 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent stretch and draw formability in T4/T4P with flat hemming possible; form promptly after solution treatment/pre-age and avoid heavy pre-strain before bake.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2038?
2038 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 2038-T4 and 2038-T6?
T4 is the default condition — standard as-delivered condition for automotive outer/inner body panels: high uniform elongation for stamping and hemming, then strengthened by the paint-bake cycle. T6: peak-strength condition used for structural stampings or test coupons where formability is no longer required. Yield strength is 160 MPa in T4 versus 300 MPa in T6.
How much does 2038 cost?
2038 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
- 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 — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Aluminum auto body sheet alloys (2008/2036/2038 family) technical bulletins — Alcoa / Arconic (2015)
- Wrought aluminum alloy property records (2038, 2036 sheet) — MatWeb / MMPDS typical values (2022)
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.