Aluminum 2117
AA 2117 · EN AW-2117, AW 2117 · GB 2A10, LY10
2117 is a low-copper Al-Cu-Mg heat-treatable wrought alloy used almost exclusively for solid rivets (US designation A17).
2117 tempers and conditions
2117 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Choose for maximum ductility during severe cold heading or drawing; strength is developed later by solution treatment plus natural ageing to T4. | 70 | 170 | 30 | 40 HB | 48 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Standard supply condition for 2117 rivet wire, rod and bar — driven cold at room temperature without re-solutionizing. | 165 | 295 | 27 | 70 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is 2117?
2117 is a low-copper Al-Cu-Mg heat-treatable wrought alloy used almost exclusively for solid rivets (US designation A17). In T4 it combines moderate strength with high ductility, and natural ageing is slow enough that rivets can be cold-driven at room temperature without refrigeration or re-solution treatment, which is why it is stocked as rivet wire, rod and thin sheet. Fusion weldability is poor, corrosion resistance is below 5000 and 6000 series alloys because the copper promotes pitting (use alclad or coatings), and strength is well under 2024. 2117 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 554°C (1,029 °F). 2117 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is 2117 used for?
- Aircraft solid rivets
- Cold-headed fasteners
- Sheet metal assembly rivets
- Airframe skin attachment hardware
- Truck and trailer body rivets
- Rivet wire and rod stock
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 27%, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 75/100, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% 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
2117 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2117 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 554°C (1,029 °F).
Mechanical10
2117 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2117 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 151 W/m·K (87.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 63% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2117 conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 72% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2117 takes about 155 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
2117's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability very good (75/100).
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. 2117 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2117
Is 2117 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly in T4 with sharp positive-rake tools and high speed; chips are short and gummy in the annealed state, so machine after ageing.
Can 2117 be welded?
Not recommended for arc or gas welding (Al-Cu hot cracking and loss of T4 properties); join by riveting, bolting or adhesive bonding, resistance spot welding only with qualified schedules.
Can 2117 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold headability — this is the reason the alloy exists; rivets are upset at room temperature in the T4 condition without refrigeration or re-solution treatment.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 2117. Every 2117 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better65 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Good75 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair20 / 100 |
2117 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 | ≤ 0.8 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.7 | |
| Cu | 2.2 – 3 | 2.6 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Mg | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2117?
Chromate conversion coat (or chromic-acid anodize) plus primer for corrosion protection; sulfuric anodizing gives a dull dark film because of the copper content, so it is protective rather than decorative.
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).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 2117 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Aluminum Association
- AA2117
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-2117AW 2117AlCu2.5Mg3.1305
- GB (China)
- 2A10LY10
- Also called
- 2117-T4
How much does 2117 cost?
2117 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
2117 — frequently asked
What is 2117 used for?
2117 is typically used for aircraft solid rivets, cold-headed fasteners, sheet metal assembly rivets, airframe skin attachment hardware, truck and trailer body rivets and rivet wire and rod stock. In short: cold-driven rivet stock.
What is the yield strength of 2117?
2117 has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 58% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is 2117 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines cleanly in T4 with sharp positive-rake tools and high speed; chips are short and gummy in the annealed state, so machine after ageing.
Can 2117 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended for arc or gas welding (Al-Cu hot cracking and loss of T4 properties); join by riveting, bolting or adhesive bonding, resistance spot welding only with qualified schedules.
What surface finishes work on 2117?
Chromate conversion coat (or chromic-acid anodize) plus primer for corrosion protection; sulfuric anodizing gives a dull dark film because of the copper content, so it is protective rather than decorative.
Can 2117 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold headability — this is the reason the alloy exists; rivets are upset at room temperature in the T4 condition without refrigeration or re-solution treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2117?
2117 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 2117 cost?
2117 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 62% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2117?
Yes — 2117 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B316 / B211 — Aluminum-Alloy Rivet and Cold-Heading Wire, Rod and Bar — ASTM International (2020)
- EN 573-3 / EN 754 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys, chemical composition and drawn products — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS / MIL-HDBK-5 rivet shear allowables — Battelle / FAA (2023)
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.