Aluminum 2060
AA 2060 · UNS A02060, A92060
2060 is a third-generation Al-Cu-Li alloy (A92060, also catalogued as A02060) combining high strength with fracture toughness and fatigue resistance for damage-tolerant aerospace structure.
Values for the T81 condition
2060 tempers and conditions
2060 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. T81 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Premium-strength Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Ti casting alloy solution treated and naturally aged; highest ductility/toughness of the 206.0 tempers with moderate yield strength. | 260 | 430 | 12 | 90 HB | 32 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Standard commercial temper for 206.0/A206.0 premium castings: overaged for dimensional and thermal stability with high strength plus better toughness and SCC resistance than T6. | 345 | 435 | 11 | 105 HB | 39 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Peak-aged condition of 206.0 giving the highest yield strength and hardness of the alloy at the cost of ductility and SCC resistance. | 380 | 450 | 6 | 120 HB | 35 % IACS |
Alcoa proprietary T8 plate temper | Producer-specific plate temper for machined lower-wing/internal structure; specify when the drawing calls out 2060-T8E86 plate. | 455 | 490 | 8 | 147 HB | 30 % IACS |
T8, stress relieved by stretching | Choose for machined plate parts (ribs, spars, frames) where low residual stress and dimensional stability after milling are critical. | 460 | 495 | 9 | 148 HB | 30 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Generic peak-aged T8 family designation; pick when the drawing/order calls out 2060-T8 without a sub-temper. | 470 | 500 | 10 | 150 HB | 30 % IACS |
T81Default Solution heat treated, cold worked (minor straightening) and… | Standard stocked condition for 2060 sheet and thin plate used in fuselage skins — highest strength/damage-tolerance combination. | 475 | 505 | 10 | 150 HB | 30 % IACS |
Alcoa proprietary T8 sheet temper | Producer-specific sheet temper originally released for fuselage skin; order this when the aerospace material spec names 2060-T8E30. | 483 | 517 | 11 | 152 HB | 30 % IACS |
T8 with 7 % cold work | Highest-strength stocked temper; select for strength-critical, low-thickness structure where reduced ductility and toughness are acceptable. | 500 | 525 | 8 | 158 HB | 29 % IACS |
What is 2060?
2060 is a third-generation Al-Cu-Li alloy (A92060, also catalogued as A02060) combining high strength with fracture toughness and fatigue resistance for damage-tolerant aerospace structure. It is supplied as sheet, plate and extrusion in T8-type tempers; the default condition gives 475 MPa yield, 505 MPa tensile, 10 % elongation and 150 HB, with 105 W/m·K, 30 % IACS and a 150 °C service limit. Fusion welding is not recommended and bend ductility is low (formability score 25), so structures are riveted, bolted or friction-stir welded. 2024-T3 is the conventional alternative where lithium content is not required. 2060 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F). 2060 has a yield strength of 475 MPa (68.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) — stronger than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi).
What is 2060 used for?
- Aerospace fuselage skins
- Stringers and stiffeners
- Fuselage frames
- Machined structural fittings
- Floor beams and seat structure
- Defence structural castings and machined parts
- Extruded airframe sections
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 40 MPa·√m (36.4 ksi·√in), better than 98% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 475 MPa (68.9 ksi), better than 94% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 105 W/m·K (60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 75% of aluminum grades
2060 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2060-T81; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2060 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F).
Mechanical13
2060 has a yield strength of 475 MPa (68.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) — stronger than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi).
Thermal6
2060 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 105 W/m·K (60.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.6 µm/m·K (12.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2060 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 2060 takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 8%.
Manufacturability7
2060's machinability is good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (25/100).
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. 2060 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2060
Is 2060 easy to machine?
Machines like 2024-T851 with polished carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; Li/Zr constituents are mildly abrasive and chips must be kept dry and separate from other Al scrap.
Can 2060 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (Li burn-off, porosity, hot cracking); joined by riveting, bolting, friction-stir welding or laser/FSW-assisted processes.
Can 2060 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the freshly quenched or T3-like condition and then age; T8 tempers have limited bend ductility and marked anisotropy, so bend axis vs. rolling direction must be specified.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 2060. Every 2060 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Good60 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair25 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Good20 / 100 |
2060 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 | ≤ 0.07 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.07 | |
| Cu | 3.4 – 4.5 | 3.95 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mg | 0.6 – 1.1 | 0.85 |
| Zn | 0.3 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Li | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Ag | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Zr | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2060?
Alkaline clean + deox then chromate-free conversion coating or thin-film/chromic anodize plus epoxy primer; isolate from CFRP and steel fasteners with sealant to avoid galvanic attack.
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).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 2060 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A02060A92060
- Aluminum Association
- AA2060
How much does 2060 cost?
2060 is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 99% 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.
2060 — frequently asked
What is 2060 used for?
2060 is typically used for aerospace fuselage skins, stringers and stiffeners, fuselage frames, machined structural fittings, floor beams and seat structure and defence structural castings and machined parts. In short: 3rd-generation Al-Li; damage-tolerant.
What is the yield strength of 2060?
2060 has a typical yield strength of 475 MPa (68.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 505 MPa (73.2 ksi) — stronger than 94% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 2060 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades). Machines like 2024-T851 with polished carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; Li/Zr constituents are mildly abrasive and chips must be kept dry and separate from other Al scrap.
Can 2060 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (Li burn-off, porosity, hot cracking); joined by riveting, bolting, friction-stir welding or laser/FSW-assisted processes.
What surface finishes work on 2060?
Alkaline clean + deox then chromate-free conversion coating or thin-film/chromic anodize plus epoxy primer; isolate from CFRP and steel fasteners with sealant to avoid galvanic attack.
Can 2060 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the freshly quenched or T3-like condition and then age; T8 tempers have limited bend ductility and marked anisotropy, so bend axis vs. rolling direction must be specified.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2060?
2060 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 2060-T81 and 2060-T4?
T81 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for 2060 sheet and thin plate used in fuselage skins — highest strength/damage-tolerance combination. T4: premium-strength Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Ti casting alloy solution treated and naturally aged; highest ductility/toughness of the 206.0 tempers with moderate yield strength. Yield strength is 475 MPa in T81 versus 260 MPa in T4.
How much does 2060 cost?
2060 is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 99% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2060?
Yes — 2060 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Registration Record of International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminium (Teal Sheets), alloy 2060 — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- Alcoa 2060-T8E30 sheet / 2060-T8E86 plate product information — Alcoa (Arconic) (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum-Lithium Alloys: Processing, Properties and Applications — Elsevier / Butterworth-Heinemann (2014)
- MMPDS-style typical mechanical property practice for 2000-series aerospace alloys — 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.