Aluminum 2090-T3
Temper
AA 2090 · UNS A92090
T3 = solution heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged
Formable intermediate condition for sheet that will be formed then artificially aged to T8x.
Values for the T3 condition
Other 2090 tempers and conditions
2090 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 2090.
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 |
T3This page 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-T3?
2090-T3 is 2090 in the T3 temper — formable intermediate condition for sheet that will be formed then artificially aged to T8x. 2090-T3 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi). 2090-T3 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). T83 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T3 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 48 MPa·√m (43.7 ksi·√in), better than 100% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 20 % IACS, worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- High embodied carbon — 15 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 36/100, worse than 81% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
2090-T3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2090-T3; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2090 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2090-T3 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-T3 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
Thermal6
2090-T3 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 96 W/m·K (55.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2090-T3 conducts electricity at 20 % IACS, worse than 99% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (36/100), worse than 81% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2090-T3 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-T3's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2090-T3
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.
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.
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 | — |
2090-T3 — frequently asked
What is 2090-T3 used for?
2090-T3 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-T3?
2090-T3 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 2090-T3 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 59% 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-T3 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-T3?
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-T3 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-T3?
2090-T3 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 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.