Aluminum 2050
AA 2050 · UNS A92050
2050 is a third-generation Al-Cu-Li plate alloy (UNS A92050) supplied in O, T3, T34, T84, T851 and T86, offering reduced density and higher stiffness than 2024 for modern airframes.
Reference datasheet — 2050 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 T84 condition
2050 tempers and conditions
2050 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. T84 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, supplied for severe forming or re-heat-treatment; strength must be restored by solution treating and ageing. | 135 | 250 | 18 | 65 HB | 38 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, ~3–4 % stretched and naturally aged | Choose when plate must be stretch-formed, roll-formed or machined near net shape before ageing to T84. | 305 | 430 | 17 | 112 HB | 24 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged | Intermediate as-delivered condition for parts that will be formed/machined and then artificially aged to T8. | 320 | 440 | 15 | 115 HB | 24 % IACS |
T8, stress relieved by stretching | Thick plate condition with controlled residual stress for large machined monolithic parts with tight distortion limits. | 480 | 520 | 8 | 147 HB | 28 % IACS |
T84Default Solution heat treated, stretched and artificially aged | Standard aerospace plate delivery condition: best balance of strength, toughness and corrosion resistance for machined structural parts. | 495 | 530 | 9 | 150 HB | 28 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, heavily cold worked and artificially aged | Highest-strength condition, used for extruded stringers and stiffeners where ductility and toughness may be traded for strength. | 540 | 570 | 7 | 160 HB | 29 % IACS |
What is 2050?
2050 is a third-generation Al-Cu-Li plate alloy (UNS A92050) supplied in O, T3, T34, T84, T851 and T86, offering reduced density and higher stiffness than 2024 for modern airframes. Typical aged properties are 495 MPa yield, 530 MPa tensile strength, 9 % elongation and 150 HB, with better corrosion behaviour than conventional 2000 series (score 42) and a machinability score of 70 for monolithic machined parts. Thermal conductivity is 95 W/m·K at 28 % IACS and service is limited to about 150 °C. Cold formability is low (score 30) and arc welding is not usable; 2024-T351 or 2055 are the practical alternatives. 2050 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 560°C (1,040 °F). 2050 has a yield strength of 495 MPa (71.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 76.5 GPa (11.1 Msi).
What is 2050 used for?
- aircraft fuselage plate
- wing ribs
- spars
Advantages
- High strength — 495 MPa (71.8 ksi), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 38 MPa·√m (34.6 ksi·√in), better than 96% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 95 W/m·K (54.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 28 % IACS, worse than 82% of aluminum grades
2050 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2050-T84; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2050 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 560°C (1,040 °F).
Mechanical11
2050 has a yield strength of 495 MPa (71.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 76.5 GPa (11.1 Msi).
Thermal6
2050 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 95 W/m·K (54.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2050 conducts electricity at 28 % IACS, worse than 82% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 69% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2050 takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 8%.
Manufacturability8
2050's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (30/100).
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. 2050 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2050
Is 2050 easy to machine?
Machines like a hard 2000-series alloy: sharp carbide tools, high speed with flood coolant, symmetric stock removal and stress-relieved (T851) plate to limit distortion in monolithic parts; keep Li-bearing chips dry and segregated.
Can 2050 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking, Li oxide/porosity); joined by friction stir welding, laser-beam welding with tailored filler, riveting or bonding.
Can 2050 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T34 before ageing — cold formability in T84 is limited and the alloy shows marked anisotropy; hot forming and creep-age forming of panels are practiced.
2050 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 | ≤ 0.08 | 0.03 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Cu | 3.2 – 3.9 | 3.5 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Mg | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Lidensity-reducing, stiffness-increasing addition | 0.7 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Agpromotes T1 precipitation | 0.2 – 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Zrgrain-structure control | 0.06 – 0.14 | 0.1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2050?
Alkaline etch/deoxidize then chromic or thin-film sulfuric anodize plus primer for aerospace protection; avoid decorative anodizing (dark, streaky films) and insulate joints to CFRP or steel.
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 2050 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A92050
How much does 2050 cost?
2050 is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
2050 — frequently asked
What is 2050 used for?
2050 is typically used for aircraft fuselage plate, wing ribs and spars. In short: lower-density 2024 upgrade; stiff Al-Cu-Li plate; better corrosion than 2024.
What is the yield strength of 2050?
2050 has a typical yield strength of 495 MPa (71.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2050 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines like a hard 2000-series alloy: sharp carbide tools, high speed with flood coolant, symmetric stock removal and stress-relieved (T851) plate to limit distortion in monolithic parts; keep Li-bearing chips dry and segregated.
Can 2050 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking, Li oxide/porosity); joined by friction stir welding, laser-beam welding with tailored filler, riveting or bonding.
What surface finishes work on 2050?
Alkaline etch/deoxidize then chromic or thin-film sulfuric anodize plus primer for aerospace protection; avoid decorative anodizing (dark, streaky films) and insulate joints to CFRP or steel.
Can 2050 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T34 before ageing — cold formability in T84 is limited and the alloy shows marked anisotropy; hot forming and creep-age forming of panels are practiced.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2050?
2050 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 2050-T84 and 2050-O?
T84 is the default condition — standard aerospace plate delivery condition: best balance of strength, toughness and corrosion resistance for machined structural parts. O: softest condition, supplied for severe forming or re-heat-treatment; strength must be restored by solution treating and ageing. Yield strength is 495 MPa in T84 versus 135 MPa in O.
How much does 2050 cost?
2050 is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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), alloy 2050 — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- Airware 2050 plate technical data — Constellium (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum-Lithium Alloys: Processing, Properties and Applications — Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann (2014)
- MMPDS-style typical property compilations for Al-Li plate — Battelle/FAA (2021)
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.