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Aluminum 2117-O (Annealed)

Temper

AA 2117 · EN AW-2117, AW 2117 · GB 2A10, LY10

Choose for maximum ductility during severe cold heading or drawing; strength is developed later by solution treatment plus natural ageing to T4.

CNC machiningSheet metalPremium cost $$$

Values for the O condition

Other 2117 tempers and conditions

2117 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at 2117.

Compare all 2 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
OThis page
Annealed
Choose for maximum ductility during severe cold heading or drawing; strength is developed later by solution treatment plus natural ageing to T4.701703040 HB48 % 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.1652952770 HB40 % IACS

What is 2117-O?

2117-O is 2117 in the O temper — choose for maximum ductility during severe cold heading or drawing; strength is developed later by solution treatment plus natural ageing to T4. 2117-O has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi). 2117-O 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).

Advantages

  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 96% of aluminum grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 94% of aluminum grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 48 % IACS, better than 88% of aluminum grades
  • Conducts heat well — 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 70 MPa (10.2 ksi), worse than 92% of aluminum grades
  • Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
  • Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 75% of aluminum grades

2117-O properties

Typical room-temperature values for 2117-O; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2117 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.

Physical3

2117-O 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).

Density2.75 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)554°C1,029 °F
Liquidus Temperature650°C1,202 °F

Mechanical10

2117-O has a yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus70.3 GPa10.2 Msi
Shear Modulus26.5 GPa3.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus74 GPa10.7 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)170 MPa24.7 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)70 MPa10.2 ksi
Elongation at Break30%
Shear Strength115 MPa16.7 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)95 MPa13.8 ksi
Hardness, Brinell40 HB

Thermal6

2117-O is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 180 W/m·K (104 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 86% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity180 W/m·K104 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity864 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)23.8 µm/m·K13.2 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion390 J/g168 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)120°C248 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical3

2117-O conducts electricity at 48 % IACS, better than 88% of aluminum grades.

Electrical Conductivity48 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity4.31×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.7 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 75% of aluminum grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.64 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair40/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in dry/neutral atmospheres; copper content makes it susceptible to pitting and intergranular attack in chloride, marine or acidic media — use alclad wire, chromate/anodic coating or wet-installed sealant.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 2117-O takes about 155 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)155 MJ/kg66,638 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)12 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability6

2117-O's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability excellent (92/100).

MachinabilityFair45/100
WeldabilityPoor20/100
Formability (cold)Excellent92/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor15/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsefair — sulfuric anodizing gives a dull grey/dark film due to Cu; chromic-acid or hard anodize used for aerospace fasteners, protective rather than decorative

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 2117-O

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Si≤ 0.8
Fe≤ 0.7
Cu2.2 – 32.6
Mn≤ 0.2
Mg0.2 – 0.50.35
Cr≤ 0.1
Zn≤ 0.25
Others (each)each≤ 0.05
Others (total)total≤ 0.15
Albalance

2117-O — frequently asked

What is 2117-O used for?

2117-O 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-O?

2117-O has a typical yield strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — weaker than 92% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.

Is 2117-O easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 72% 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-O 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-O?

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-O 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-O?

2117-O 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.

Can FabDigit make parts in 2117-O?

Yes — 2117-O 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

  1. International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
  2. ASTM B316 / B211 — Aluminum-Alloy Rivet and Cold-Heading Wire, Rod and Bar — ASTM International (2020)
  3. EN 573-3 / EN 754 — Aluminium and aluminium alloys, chemical composition and drawn products — CEN (2019)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. MMPDS / MIL-HDBK-5 rivet shear allowables — Battelle / FAA (2023)

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.