Aluminum 2124-T3
Temper
AA 2124 · UNS A92124 · EN AW-2124, AW 2124
T3 = solution heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged
Naturally aged cold-worked condition for thinner rolled product where residual-stress relief by stretching is not specified.
Values for the T3 condition
Other 2124 tempers and conditions
2124 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 2124.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition for heavy forming or machining prior to solution treatment. | 75 | 185 | 20 | 47 HB | 50 % IACS |
T3, stress relieved by stretching | Naturally aged plate with low residual stress — best choice when machined parts must stay flat and higher toughness/ductility is wanted over peak strength. | 325 | 470 | 15 | 120 HB | 30 % IACS |
T3This page Solution heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged | Naturally aged cold-worked condition for thinner rolled product where residual-stress relief by stretching is not specified. | 325 | 470 | 15 | 120 HB | 30 % IACS |
Solution treated, stress relieved by stretching with minor… | Extruded-product equivalent of T851 when 2124 is supplied as bar or profile. | 435 | 480 | 7 | 126 HB | 38 % IACS |
T8, stress relieved by stretching | Standard aerospace/mould plate condition: peak strength with good short-transverse toughness and low residual stress for heavy machining. | 440 | 490 | 8 | 128 HB | 38 % IACS |
What is 2124-T3?
2124-T3 is 2124 in the T3 temper — naturally aged cold-worked condition for thinner rolled product where residual-stress relief by stretching is not specified. 2124-T3 has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 73.1 GPa (10.6 Msi). 2124-T3 has a density of 2.78 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of aluminum grades. It melts at 502°C (936 °F).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 38 MPa·√m (34.6 ksi·√in), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 15%, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 325 MPa (47.1 ksi), better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 28/100, worse than 99% 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
- Poor heat conductor — 121 W/m·K (69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of aluminum grades
2124-T3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2124-T3; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2124 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2124-T3 has a density of 2.78 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of aluminum grades. It melts at 502°C (936 °F).
Mechanical12
2124-T3 has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 73.1 GPa (10.6 Msi).
Thermal6
2124-T3 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 121 W/m·K (69.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.9 µm/m·K (12.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2124-T3 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, worse than 73% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (28/100), worse than 99% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2124-T3 takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability7
2124-T3's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2124-T3
Is 2124 easy to machine?
Excellent chip control in T851; use sharp carbide, high speed and flood coolant — plate is stress-relieved so machined parts stay dimensionally stable.
Can 2124 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking, loss of temper); join by riveting, bolting or friction-stir welding with qualified procedures.
Can 2124 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T351 condition only; T851 plate is essentially non-formable and should be machined to shape.
What surface finishes work on 2124?
Anodize (chromic/sulfuric per MIL-A-8625) or conversion-coat plus primer is mandatory for corrosion protection; alclad or shot peening improves fatigue/exfoliation life.
2124 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sicontrolled low for toughness | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Fecontrolled low for toughness | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Cu | 3.8 – 4.9 | 4.4 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Mg | 1.2 – 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2124-T3 — frequently asked
What is 2124-T3 used for?
2124-T3 is typically used for aerospace plate, bulkheads and wing skins. In short: high-purity aerospace plate; improved 2024.
What is the yield strength of 2124-T3?
2124-T3 has a typical yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 2124-T3 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades). Excellent chip control in T851; use sharp carbide, high speed and flood coolant — plate is stress-relieved so machined parts stay dimensionally stable.
Can 2124-T3 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking, loss of temper); join by riveting, bolting or friction-stir welding with qualified procedures.
What surface finishes work on 2124-T3?
Anodize (chromic/sulfuric per MIL-A-8625) or conversion-coat plus primer is mandatory for corrosion protection; alclad or shot peening improves fatigue/exfoliation life.
Can 2124-T3 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T351 condition only; T851 plate is essentially non-formable and should be machined to shape.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2124-T3?
2124-T3 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 2124-T3?
Yes — 2124-T3 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)
- AMS 4101 — Aluminum Alloy Plate 2124-T851 — SAE International (2018)
- EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 wrought aluminium plate — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS-17 (Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization) — Battelle/FAA (2022)
- Aerospace plate alloy datasheets (2124-T851) — Constellium / Arconic (2021)
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.