Aluminum 2056
AA 2056 · UNS A92056
2056 is an Al-Cu-Li (2000 series) sheet alloy registered as A92056, using lithium and copper additions to cut density and raise modulus relative to conventional Al-Cu grades.
Reference datasheet — 2056 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 T3 condition
2056 tempers and conditions
2056 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. T3 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Soft delivery/intermediate condition for severe forming; must be re-solution-treated and aged for service properties. | 115 | 230 | 22 | 60 HB | 40 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Used when parts are formed after solution treatment; slightly lower yield than T3 but better forming ductility. | 300 | 440 | 20 | 118 HB | 30 % IACS |
T3, stress relieved by stretching | Stress-relieved plate/thick-sheet version of T3 for machined parts where residual-stress distortion must be minimised. | 320 | 450 | 15 | 123 HB | 30 % IACS |
T3Default Solution heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged | Standard damage-tolerant fuselage-skin condition: 2024-T3-class strength with lower density and slower fatigue crack growth. | 325 | 455 | 17 | 125 HB | 30 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Peak/near-peak aged condition for higher yield strength and stiffness-critical skins; some loss of toughness and ductility versus T3. | 440 | 490 | 10 | 148 HB | 33 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, stretched and artificially aged to near-peak… | Commercial high-strength sheet temper for lower fuselage/stringer applications where static strength drives the design. | 450 | 500 | 10 | 150 HB | 33 % IACS |
T8, stress relieved by stretching | Stress-relieved aged plate for machined structural fittings and thick skins needing dimensional stability. | 450 | 495 | 8 | 150 HB | 33 % IACS |
What is 2056?
2056 is an Al-Cu-Li (2000 series) sheet alloy registered as A92056, using lithium and copper additions to cut density and raise modulus relative to conventional Al-Cu grades. It is stocked as rolled sheet in O, T3/T351, T4 and T8/T84/T851 tempers and is chosen for damage-tolerant fuselage skins; the default condition gives 325 MPa yield, 455 MPa tensile, 17% elongation and 125 HB, with 95 W/m·K thermal conductivity and 30% IACS. Limits are a 120 °C service ceiling, only moderate corrosion resistance (40/100) requiring cladding or coating, no conventional fusion weldability, and aerospace-channel availability. Clad 2024-T3 sheet is the nearest conventional alternative. 2056 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F). 2056 has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 77 GPa (11.2 Msi).
What is 2056 used for?
- Fuselage skin sheet
- Damage-tolerant aerospace panels
- Pressurised cabin shell sections
- Friction-stir-welded skin assemblies
- Riveted airframe secondary structure
- Weight-reduction skin replacements
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 38 MPa·√m (34.6 ksi·√in), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 17%, better than 85% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 325 MPa (47.1 ksi), better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 60/100, better than 77% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 95 W/m·K (54.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), 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
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 75% of aluminum grades
2056 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2056-T3; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2056 has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ (0.0975 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F).
Mechanical12
2056 has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 77 GPa (11.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2056 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 95 W/m·K (54.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.6 µm/m·K (12.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2056 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, worse than 73% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2056 takes about 225 MJ of energy and emits 13.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 96% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability7
2056's machinability is good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability good (60/100).
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. 2056 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2056
Is 2056 easy to machine?
Machines like 2024 but Li-bearing chips are abrasive and reactive — use sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speed, generous coolant, and collect chips separately (do not mix with water-based sludge storage).
Can 2056 be welded?
Not suitable for conventional fusion welding (porosity, Li oxide, hot cracking); joined by riveting or friction stir welding, which is the intended process for Airware-type structures.
Can 2056 be formed, bent or molded?
Formed in T3/T4 or O condition; strong crystallographic texture makes properties directional, so plan bend lines relative to rolling direction and expect higher springback than 2024.
2056 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cuapproximate AA registration range | 3.2 – 4.2 | 3.6 |
| Limain density-reducing / modulus-raising addition | 0.6 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Mg | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Agaging accelerator in some registrations | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.8 | 0.3 |
| Zn | 0 – 0.8 | 0.3 |
| Zrgrain-structure control | 0.04 – 0.18 | 0.1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each)0.15 total | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2056?
Standard aerospace route: chromic or tartaric-sulfuric anodise plus chromate-free primer; clad or coated surfaces recommended for chloride exposure, decorative bright anodising is not achievable.
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 2056 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A92056
How much does 2056 cost?
2056 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.
2056 — frequently asked
What is 2056 used for?
2056 is typically used for fuselage skin sheet, damage-tolerant aerospace panels, pressurised cabin shell sections, friction-stir-welded skin assemblies, riveted airframe secondary structure and weight-reduction skin replacements. In short: damage-tolerant Al-Li sheet; lower density than 2024; friction-stir weld intended.
What is the yield strength of 2056?
2056 has a typical yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 2056 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades). Machines like 2024 but Li-bearing chips are abrasive and reactive — use sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speed, generous coolant, and collect chips separately (do not mix with water-based sludge storage).
Can 2056 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not suitable for conventional fusion welding (porosity, Li oxide, hot cracking); joined by riveting or friction stir welding, which is the intended process for Airware-type structures.
What surface finishes work on 2056?
Standard aerospace route: chromic or tartaric-sulfuric anodise plus chromate-free primer; clad or coated surfaces recommended for chloride exposure, decorative bright anodising is not achievable.
Can 2056 be formed, bent or molded?
Formed in T3/T4 or O condition; strong crystallographic texture makes properties directional, so plan bend lines relative to rolling direction and expect higher springback than 2024.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2056?
2056 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 2056-T3 and 2056-O?
T3 is the default condition — standard damage-tolerant fuselage-skin condition: 2024-T3-class strength with lower density and slower fatigue crack growth. O: soft delivery/intermediate condition for severe forming; must be re-solution-treated and aged for service properties. Yield strength is 325 MPa in T3 versus 115 MPa in O.
How much does 2056 cost?
2056 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) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- Airware Al-Li alloy product literature (2050/2056/2198 family) — Constellium (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- MMPDS-style typical property practice for damage-tolerant Al sheet — Battelle/FAA (2023)
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.