Aluminum 2090-T81
Temper
AA 2090 · UNS A92090
T81 = solution heat treated, ~1–3 % cold worked, artificially aged
Standard plate temper for damage-tolerant, stiffness-driven aerospace structure.
Values for the T81 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 |
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 |
T81This page 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-T81?
2090-T81 is 2090 in the T81 temper — standard plate temper for damage-tolerant, stiffness-driven aerospace structure. 2090-T81 has a yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — stronger than 95% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi). 2090-T81 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; T81 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 483 MPa (70.1 ksi), better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 36 MPa·√m (32.8 ksi·√in), better than 93% 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-T81 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2090-T81; 13 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-T81 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-T81 has a yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — stronger than 95% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
Thermal6
2090-T81 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-T81 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-T81 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-T81's machinability is good (62/100, better than 55% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2090-T81
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-T81 — frequently asked
What is 2090-T81 used for?
2090-T81 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-T81?
2090-T81 has a typical yield strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — stronger than 95% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 2090-T81 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-T81 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-T81?
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-T81 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-T81?
2090-T81 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.
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.