Aluminum 2117 · temper
Aluminum 2117-T4
Properties of the T4 condition, compared with the other 2117 tempers.
Standard supply condition for 2117 rivet wire, rod and bar — driven cold at room temperature without re-solutionizing.
What is 2117-T4?
2117-T4 is 2117 in the T4 temper — standard supply condition for 2117 rivet wire, rod and bar — driven cold at room temperature without re-solutionizing. 2117-T4 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi). 2117-T4 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 66% of aluminum grades. It melts at 554°C (1,029 °F).
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-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2117-T4 — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 2117 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
2117-T4 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 66% of aluminum grades. It melts at 554°C (1,029 °F).
Mechanical10
2117-T4 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 70.3 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2117-T4 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-T4 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-T4 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-T4's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability very good (75/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 2117 tempers and conditions
2117 is also supplied in 1 other condition. The full side-by-side table is on the 2117 overview.
- T4Standard supply condition for 2117 rivet wire, rod and bar — driven cold at room temperature without re-solutionizing.165 MPa yield · 70 HB
- OChoose for maximum ductility during severe cold heading or drawing; strength is developed later by solution treatment plus natural ageing to T4.70 MPa yield · 40 HB
Working with 2117-T4
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.
| 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 | — |
2117-T4 — frequently asked
What is 2117-T4 used for?
2117-T4 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-T4?
2117-T4 has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is 2117-T4 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-T4 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-T4?
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-T4 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-T4?
2117-T4 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-T4?
Yes — 2117-T4 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.