Aluminum 2097
AA 2097 · UNS A92097
2097 is an Al-Cu-Li extrusion alloy (A92097) in the 2000-series family, used where low density and high stiffness are needed in stringers and stiffeners.
Reference datasheet — 2097 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 T851 condition
2097 tempers and conditions
2097 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. T851 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition for maximum formability or intermediate machining; must be re-heat-treated for service strength. | 140 | 250 | 16 | 70 HB | 32 % IACS |
As fabricated | Mill supply state before solution treatment; only for further processing, no guaranteed mechanicals. | 200 | 300 | 12 | 85 HB | 29 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged | Intermediate strength with better ductility than T8; used where parts are formed or machined before final artificial ageing. | 290 | 400 | 13 | 115 HB | 23 % IACS |
T3, stress relieved by stretching | Stretch-relieved plate/extrusion for low-distortion machining of large parts before final ageing to T851. | 295 | 405 | 12 | 118 HB | 23 % IACS |
T851Default T8, stress relieved by stretching | Standard aerospace thick-plate supply condition: high strength with low residual stress for heavy machined bulkheads and frames. | 435 | 490 | 9 | 140 HB | 26 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Peak-strength condition for extruded stringers and stiffeners where stiffness and strength dominate. | 450 | 500 | 8 | 145 HB | 26 % IACS |
T8 with 7 % cold work | Over-stretched/peak-aged variant for the highest yield strength where toughness requirements are less severe. | 470 | 515 | 7 | 150 HB | 27 % IACS |
What is 2097?
2097 is an Al-Cu-Li extrusion alloy (A92097) in the 2000-series family, used where low density and high stiffness are needed in stringers and stiffeners. It is supplied as extrusions and plate in F, O, T3/T351 and T8/T851/T87 tempers; the default condition gives 435 MPa yield, 490 MPa tensile, 9% elongation, 140 HB, 90 W/m·K, 26% IACS and 120 °C maximum service. It has the best machinability of the Al-Li group here (78/100), but formability is 25/100, corrosion resistance is 35/100 and fusion welding is not recommended, so parts are riveted, bolted or friction stir welded. 2090 extrusions are the older alternative. 2097 has a density of 2.62 g/cm³ (0.0947 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of aluminum grades. It melts at 560°C (1,040 °F). 2097 has a yield strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — stronger than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 79 GPa (11.5 Msi).
What is 2097 used for?
- Aircraft stringers
- Extruded stiffeners and stringer sections
- Bulkhead and frame extrusions
- Machined structural fittings from plate
- Riveted fuselage substructure
- Weight-critical stiffened panel assemblies
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 38 MPa·√m (34.6 ksi·√in), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 435 MPa (63.1 ksi), better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 90 W/m·K (52 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- High embodied carbon — 14 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
2097 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2097-T851; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2097 has a density of 2.62 g/cm³ (0.0947 lb/in³), lighter than 96% of aluminum grades. It melts at 560°C (1,040 °F).
Mechanical12
2097 has a yield strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — stronger than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 79 GPa (11.5 Msi).
Thermal6
2097 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 90 W/m·K (52 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.4 µm/m·K (11.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2097 conducts electricity at 26 % IACS, worse than 90% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2097 takes about 220 MJ of energy and emits 14 kg of CO₂ — more than 95% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability7
2097's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 89% 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. 2097 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2097
Is 2097 easy to machine?
Machines well in T8 tempers with sharp polished carbide tools, high speed and copious coolant; keep Li-bearing chips dry and segregated (fines are reactive) and avoid recirculating water-based swarf.
Can 2097 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (Li oxide films, porosity, hot cracking); join by riveting/bolting or use friction stir welding with qualified parameters.
Can 2097 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T3/T351 conditions; T8 plate has limited cold ductility and marked anisotropy, so hot forming or stretch-form-then-age routes are preferred.
2097 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cu | 2.5 – 3.5 | 2.8 |
| Liprimary density reducer / modulus booster | 1.2 – 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Zrgrain-structure control | 0.08 – 0.15 | 0.11 |
| Mg | 0 – 0.35 | |
| Zn | 0 – 0.35 | |
| Feimpurity limit | 0 – 0.15 | |
| Siimpurity limit | 0 – 0.12 | |
| Ti | 0 – 0.15 | |
| Others (each)others total 0.15 max | 0 – 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2097?
Chromic or sulphuric anodise plus chromate-free primer for corrosion protection; alkaline etch cycles must be short to avoid Li leaching, and dissimilar-metal joints need insulating sealant.
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 2097 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A92097
How much does 2097 cost?
2097 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.
2097 — frequently asked
What is 2097 used for?
2097 is typically used for aircraft stringers, extruded stiffeners and stringer sections, bulkhead and frame extrusions, machined structural fittings from plate, riveted fuselage substructure and weight-critical stiffened panel assemblies. In short: best-machining Al-Li grade; extrusion alloy for stringers; low density, high stiffness.
What is the yield strength of 2097?
2097 has a typical yield strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — stronger than 91% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 2097 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T8 tempers with sharp polished carbide tools, high speed and copious coolant; keep Li-bearing chips dry and segregated (fines are reactive) and avoid recirculating water-based swarf.
Can 2097 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (Li oxide films, porosity, hot cracking); join by riveting/bolting or use friction stir welding with qualified parameters.
What surface finishes work on 2097?
Chromic or sulphuric anodise plus chromate-free primer for corrosion protection; alkaline etch cycles must be short to avoid Li leaching, and dissimilar-metal joints need insulating sealant.
Can 2097 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T3/T351 conditions; T8 plate has limited cold ductility and marked anisotropy, so hot forming or stretch-form-then-age routes are preferred.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2097?
2097 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 2097-T851 and 2097-O?
T851 is the default condition — standard aerospace thick-plate supply condition: high strength with low residual stress for heavy machined bulkheads and frames. O: softest condition for maximum formability or intermediate machining; must be re-heat-treated for service strength. Yield strength is 435 MPa in T851 versus 140 MPa in O.
How much does 2097 cost?
2097 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
- Registration Record of International Alloy Designations (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum-Lithium Alloys: Processing, Properties, and Applications — Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann (2014)
- MMPDS-style typical property compilations for Al-Cu-Li plate — Battelle/FAA (2022)
- Al-Li aerospace plate and extrusion product data (2097/2197/2099 class) — Alcoa/Arconic (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.