Aluminum 208.0
AA 208.0 · UNS A02080
208.0 (UNS A02080) is an Al-Cu-Si sand casting alloy from the ANSI/AA 2xx.x family, one of the older general-purpose Al-Cu compositions that predate the modern 3xx.x series; strength comes from roughly 4 % Cu in the as-cast F condition, with no heat treatment on file.
Reference datasheet — 208.0 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 F condition
208.0 tempers and conditions
208.0 is supplied in one standard condition, F. F is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
What is 208.0?
208.0 (UNS A02080) is an Al-Cu-Si sand casting alloy from the ANSI/AA 2xx.x family, one of the older general-purpose Al-Cu compositions that predate the modern 3xx.x series; strength comes from roughly 4 % Cu in the as-cast F condition, with no heat treatment on file. It is chosen for general sand castings such as manifolds, gear housings and machinery bases, where a machinability score of 78, 97 MPa yield and 145 MPa tensile strength matter more than ductility (2.5 % elongation, 55 HB). Limits are poor weldability (score 30), modest corrosion resistance (score 35) and a 150 °C maximum service temperature; 319.0 or 356.0 are the usual modern substitutes. 208.0 has a density of 2.79 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of aluminum grades. It melts at 521°C (970 °F). 208.0 has a yield strength of 97 MPa (14.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — weaker than 85% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 208.0 used for?
- manifolds
- machinery bases
- gear housings
- general sand castings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 97 MPa (14.1 ksi), worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 121 W/m·K (69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
208.0 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 208.0-F; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
208.0 has a density of 2.79 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of aluminum grades. It melts at 521°C (970 °F).
Mechanical10
208.0 has a yield strength of 97 MPa (14.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — weaker than 85% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
208.0 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °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 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
208.0 conducts electricity at 31 % IACS, worse than 68% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 208.0 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability6
208.0's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades); weldability 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. 208.0 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 208.0
Is 208.0 easy to machine?
Machines well in the as-cast state with sharp carbide tooling and high speeds; the Cu-rich phases break chips cleanly, but Si particles cause gradual tool wear — flood coolant, and avoid built-up edge with polished rake faces.
Can 208.0 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability: the ~4 % Cu makes it hot-crack sensitive; repair welding, if unavoidable, uses 4043/4145 filler with preheat and is generally limited to non-structural cosmetic repair.
Can 208.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand casting alloy only — fair fluidity and good pressure tightness with generous risering; not suitable for cold forming, and hot tearing must be controlled by gradual section transitions.
208.0 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 | 2.5 – 3.5 | 3 |
| Femax (sand casting limit) | ≤ 1.2 | |
| Cu | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Mg | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Zn | ≤ 1 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 208.0?
Chromate conversion coating plus primer/paint is the normal protection; anodizing is dull and blotchy because of Cu and Si, and electroplating requires a zincate or electroless-nickel strike.
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 208.0 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A02080
How much does 208.0 cost?
208.0 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
208.0 — frequently asked
What is 208.0 used for?
208.0 is typically used for manifolds, machinery bases, gear housings and general sand castings. In short: legacy general-purpose Al-Cu casting; high machinability, low ductility; poor fusion weldability.
What is the yield strength of 208.0?
208.0 has a typical yield strength of 97 MPa (14.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) — weaker than 85% of aluminum grades.
Is 208.0 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades). Machines well in the as-cast state with sharp carbide tooling and high speeds; the Cu-rich phases break chips cleanly, but Si particles cause gradual tool wear — flood coolant, and avoid built-up edge with polished rake faces.
Can 208.0 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor fusion weldability: the ~4 % Cu makes it hot-crack sensitive; repair welding, if unavoidable, uses 4043/4145 filler with preheat and is generally limited to non-structural cosmetic repair.
What surface finishes work on 208.0?
Chromate conversion coating plus primer/paint is the normal protection; anodizing is dull and blotchy because of Cu and Si, and electroplating requires a zincate or electroless-nickel strike.
Can 208.0 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand casting alloy only — fair fluidity and good pressure tightness with generous risering; not suitable for cold forming, and hot tearing must be controlled by gradual section transitions.
What is the maximum service temperature of 208.0?
208.0 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 208.0 cost?
208.0 is a standard-cost aluminum ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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
- ASTM B26/B26M — Aluminum-Alloy Sand Castings — ASTM International (2018)
- Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot ("Pink Sheets"/Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2015)
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum: Properties and Physical Metallurgy — ASM International (1984)
- UNS A02080 alloy property records — SAE/ASTM Unified Numbering System (2017)
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.