Aluminum 2048-T351
Temper
AA 2048 · UNS A92048
T351 = t3, stress relieved by stretching
Naturally aged plate with the best ductility and toughness of the heat-treated conditions; usually an intermediate step before artificial ageing to T851.
Values for the T351 condition
Other 2048 tempers and conditions
2048 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 2048.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, used only for severe forming or intermediate processing before re-solution treatment. | 90 | 200 | 18 | 48 HB | 50 % IACS |
T351This page T3, stress relieved by stretching | Naturally aged plate with the best ductility and toughness of the heat-treated conditions; usually an intermediate step before artificial ageing to T851. | 275 | 425 | 17 | 110 HB | 30 % IACS |
T73, stress relieved by stretching | Overaged option when maximum resistance to exfoliation/stress-corrosion is needed in thick sections, at some loss of strength; only occasionally supplied for 2048. | 360 | 420 | 10 | 115 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution treated, cold worked, artificially aged | Thin-gauge equivalent of T851 where stretch stress relief is not applied; used for sheet skins and detail parts. | 415 | 450 | 6 | 128 HB | 38 % IACS |
T851Default T8, stress relieved by stretching | Standard aerospace plate condition: peak-strength artificial ageing with stretch stress relief, giving high strength plus good fracture toughness and low residual stress for machined structure. | 416 | 457 | 9 | 125 HB | 38 % IACS |
What is 2048-T351?
2048-T351 is 2048 in the T351 temper — naturally aged plate with the best ductility and toughness of the heat-treated conditions; usually an intermediate step before artificial ageing to T851. 2048-T351 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi). 2048-T351 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 507°C (945 °F). T851 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T351 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 44 MPa·√m (40 ksi·√in), better than 100% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 17%, better than 85% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 32/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of aluminum grades
2048-T351 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2048-T351; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2048 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2048-T351 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 507°C (945 °F).
Mechanical12
2048-T351 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2048-T351 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.2 µm/m·K (12.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2048-T351 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, worse than 73% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), worse than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2048-T351 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
2048-T351's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2048-T351
Is 2048 easy to machine?
Machines very well in T851 with sharp carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; chips break cleanly, but leave stress-symmetric stock removal on thick plate to limit distortion.
Can 2048 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (hot-cracking and loss of T8 properties); join by riveting, bolting, adhesive bonding or friction stir welding with qualified procedures.
Can 2048 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or freshly quenched W temper; T851 plate tolerates only mild bending with generous radii, so most parts are machined from plate.
What surface finishes work on 2048?
Chromic or sulfuric anodize plus primer, or Alclad/ion-vapour-deposited Al coating, is normal; bare surfaces pit in chloride service and colour anodizing is dull due to copper.
2048 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Silow-Si for toughness | ≤ 0.15 | 0.06 |
| Felow-Fe for toughness | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Cu | 2.8 – 3.8 | 3.3 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Mg | 1.2 – 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2048-T351 — frequently asked
What is 2048-T351 used for?
2048-T351 is typically used for aircraft structural plate, machined spacers and fittings, bulkheads and frames, wing ribs and shear webs, landing-gear support brackets and access-door and panel backing structure. In short: tough 2000-series airframe plate; good-machining structural alloy; machined, not formed.
What is the yield strength of 2048-T351?
2048-T351 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) — stronger than 70% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 2048-T351 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines very well in T851 with sharp carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; chips break cleanly, but leave stress-symmetric stock removal on thick plate to limit distortion.
Can 2048-T351 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (hot-cracking and loss of T8 properties); join by riveting, bolting, adhesive bonding or friction stir welding with qualified procedures.
What surface finishes work on 2048-T351?
Chromic or sulfuric anodize plus primer, or Alclad/ion-vapour-deposited Al coating, is normal; bare surfaces pit in chloride service and colour anodizing is dull due to copper.
Can 2048-T351 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or freshly quenched W temper; T851 plate tolerates only mild bending with generous radii, so most parts are machined from plate.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2048-T351?
2048-T351 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 2048-T851 and 2048-O?
T851 is the default condition — standard aerospace plate condition: peak-strength artificial ageing with stretch stress relief, giving high strength plus good fracture toughness and low residual stress for machined structure. O: softest condition, used only for severe forming or intermediate processing before re-solution treatment. Yield strength is 416 MPa in T851 versus 90 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)
- MMPDS-17 Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization — Battelle/FAA (2022)
- ASTM B209 / AMS-QQ-A-250 aluminium plate specifications — ASTM / SAE (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.