Aluminum 2090
AA 2090 · UNS A92090
2090 is a first-generation Al-Cu-Li alloy (A92090) introduced in the 1980s for aerospace weight saving, combining low density with high elastic modulus.
Reference datasheet — 2090 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 T83 condition
2090 tempers and conditions
2090 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. T83 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, supplied for deep forming or re-heat-treatment; no structural strength. | 110 | 220 | 22 | 60 HB | 23 % IACS |
As fabricated | Mill stock intended for subsequent solution treatment; properties not guaranteed. | 170 | 280 | 14 | 80 HB | 21.5 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged | Formable intermediate condition for sheet that will be formed then artificially aged to T8x. | 260 | 380 | 12 | 105 HB | 20 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and under-aged | Slightly under-aged variant trading a little strength for better toughness and ductility. | 460 | 520 | 8 | 140 HB | 18 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, ~1–3 % cold worked, artificially aged | Standard plate temper for damage-tolerant, stiffness-driven aerospace structure. | 483 | 525 | 5 | 145 HB | 17.5 % IACS |
T83Default Solution heat treated, cold worked (~6 %) and artificially aged | The workhorse 2090 sheet temper: peak-strength, low-density skin material. | 517 | 550 | 6 | 150 HB | 17.5 % IACS |
Extrusion: solution treated, stretched, minor straightening,… | Standard stretched-and-aged temper for 2090 extruded stringers and stiffeners. | 520 | 560 | 5 | 150 HB | 17.5 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, heavily cold worked and artificially aged | Highest strength 2090 condition for strength-critical plate and extrusions; lowest ductility and toughness. | 540 | 565 | 5 | 155 HB | 17 % IACS |
What is 2090?
2090 is a first-generation Al-Cu-Li alloy (A92090) introduced in the 1980s for aerospace weight saving, combining low density with high elastic modulus. It is available as sheet, plate and extrusions in F, O, T3 and T81/T83/T84/T86/T81511 tempers; the default condition gives 517 MPa yield, 550 MPa tensile, 6% elongation, 150 HB, 88 W/m·K, 17.5% IACS and 150 °C maximum service temperature. Formability is poor (25/100), fusion welding is not recommended, and the alloy shows strong anisotropy, so later Al-Li grades such as 2099 or 2196 are usually specified for new extruded structure. 2090 has a density of 2.59 g/cm³ (0.0936 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of aluminum grades. It melts at 560°C (1,040 °F). 2090 has a yield strength of 517 MPa (75 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 97% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
What is 2090 used for?
- Aerospace sheet and plate structure
- Extruded structural stringers
- Fuselage and wing stiffeners
- Riveted airframe panels
- Weight-critical secondary structure
- Cryogenic tank structure components
Advantages
- High strength — 517 MPa (75 ksi), better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 35 MPa·√m (31.9 ksi·√in), better than 91% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 17.5 % IACS, worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 88 W/m·K (50.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- High embodied carbon — 15 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 33/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
2090 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2090-T83; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2090 has a density of 2.59 g/cm³ (0.0936 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of aluminum grades. It melts at 560°C (1,040 °F).
Mechanical12
2090 has a yield strength of 517 MPa (75 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 97% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
Thermal6
2090 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 88 W/m·K (50.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2090 conducts electricity at 17.5 % IACS, worse than 100% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (33/100), worse than 91% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2090 takes about 230 MJ of energy and emits 15 kg of CO₂ — more than 96% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability7
2090's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); 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. 2090 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2090
Is 2090 easy to machine?
Machines much like 2024-T3 with sharp carbide tooling, high speed and flood coolant; Li-bearing fines are reactive, so avoid dry grinding and collect swarf wet.
Can 2090 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (Li oxide films, hydrogen porosity, hot cracking); joints are riveted, bonded or friction-stir welded.
Can 2090 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T3 temper — T8x tempers have <6 % elongation and strong anisotropy; allow generous bend radii and expect springback.
2090 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Liprimary density-reducing and modulus-raising addition | 1.9 – 2.6 | 2.2 |
| Cu | 2.4 – 3 | 2.7 |
| Zrgrain-structure control (Al3Zr) | 0.08 – 0.15 | 0.11 |
| Mg | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.12 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Cr | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2090?
Chromic/sulfuric anodize or chromate-free conversion coat plus primer for corrosion protection; clad or paint bare surfaces and isolate from steel/carbon-fibre joints.
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 2090 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A92090
How much does 2090 cost?
2090 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.
2090 — frequently asked
What is 2090 used for?
2090 is typically used for aerospace sheet and plate structure, extruded structural stringers, fuselage and wing stiffeners, riveted airframe panels, weight-critical secondary structure and cryogenic tank structure components. In short: first-generation Al-Li; high modulus, low density; very limited formability.
What is the yield strength of 2090?
2090 has a typical yield strength of 517 MPa (75 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 97% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 2090 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades). Machines much like 2024-T3 with sharp carbide tooling, high speed and flood coolant; Li-bearing fines are reactive, so avoid dry grinding and collect swarf wet.
Can 2090 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (Li oxide films, hydrogen porosity, hot cracking); joints are riveted, bonded or friction-stir welded.
What surface finishes work on 2090?
Chromic/sulfuric anodize or chromate-free conversion coat plus primer for corrosion protection; clad or paint bare surfaces and isolate from steel/carbon-fibre joints.
Can 2090 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T3 temper — T8x tempers have <6 % elongation and strong anisotropy; allow generous bend radii and expect springback.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2090?
2090 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 2090-T83 and 2090-O?
T83 is the default condition — the workhorse 2090 sheet temper: peak-strength, low-density skin material. O: softest condition, supplied for deep forming or re-heat-treatment; no structural strength. Yield strength is 517 MPa in T83 versus 110 MPa in O.
How much does 2090 cost?
2090 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Aluminum-Lithium alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum-Lithium Alloys: Processing, Properties and Applications — Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann (2014)
- MMPDS / MIL-HDBK-5 design allowables for 2090 sheet and plate — Battelle / FAA (2020)
- AMS 4251 / AMS 4252 — 2090 aluminum-lithium sheet and plate, T83/T81 — SAE International (2016)
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.