Aluminum 2060-T4
Temper
AA 2060 · UNS A02060, A92060
T4 = 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.
Values for the T4 condition
Other 2060 tempers and conditions
2060 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 2060.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T4This page 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-T4?
2060-T4 is 2060 in the T4 temper — 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. 2060-T4 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 2060-T4 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 570°C (1,058 °F). T81 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T4 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 33 MPa·√m (30 ksi·√in), better than 87% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 32/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 121 W/m·K (69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of aluminum grades
2060-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2060-T4; 35 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2060 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2060-T4 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 570°C (1,058 °F).
Mechanical13
2060-T4 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2060-T4 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 121 W/m·K (69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.5 µm/m·K (12.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2060-T4 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), worse than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2060-T4 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
2060-T4's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2060-T4
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.
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.
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 |
2060-T4 — frequently asked
What is 2060-T4 used for?
2060-T4 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-T4?
2060-T4 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 2060-T4 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% 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-T4 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). 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-T4?
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-T4 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-T4?
2060-T4 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 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2060-T4?
Yes — 2060-T4 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.