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Aluminum 2124-T8511

Precip hard

AA 2124 · UNS A92124 · EN AW-2124, AW 2124

T8511 = solution treated, stress relieved by stretching with minor…

Extruded-product equivalent of T851 when 2124 is supplied as bar or profile.

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Values for the T8511 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed
Softest condition for heavy forming or machining prior to solution treatment.751852047 HB50 % 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.32547015120 HB30 % IACS
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.32547015120 HB30 % IACS
T8511This page
Solution treated, stress relieved by stretching with minor…
Extruded-product equivalent of T851 when 2124 is supplied as bar or profile.4354807126 HB38 % 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.4404908128 HB38 % IACS

What is 2124-T8511?

2124-T8511 is 2124 in the T8511 condition — extruded-product equivalent of T851 when 2124 is supplied as bar or profile. 2124-T8511 has a yield strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 73.1 GPa (10.6 Msi). 2124-T8511 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

  • High strength — 435 MPa (63.1 ksi), better than 91% of aluminum grades
  • Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
  • Tough — resists crack growth — 31 MPa·√m (28.2 ksi·√in), better than 80% of aluminum grades

Limitations

  • Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
  • Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades

2124-T8511 properties

Typical room-temperature values for 2124-T8511; 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-T8511 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).

Density2.78 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)502°C936 °F
Liquidus Temperature638°C1,180 °F

Mechanical12

2124-T8511 has a yield strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 73.1 GPa (10.6 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus73.1 GPa10.6 Msi
Shear Modulus28 GPa4.1 Msi
Bulk Modulus76 GPa11 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)480 MPa69.6 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)435 MPa63.1 ksi
Elongation at Break7%
Compressive Strength445 MPa64.5 ksi
Shear Strength280 MPa40.6 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)135 MPa19.6 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)31 MPa·√m28.2 ksi·√in
Hardness, Brinell126 HB

Thermal6

2124-T8511 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 152 W/m·K (87.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.9 µm/m·K (12.7 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity152 W/m·K87.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity875 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)22.9 µm/m·K12.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion390 J/g168 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

2124-T8511 conducts electricity at 38 % IACS, better than 61% of aluminum grades.

Electrical Conductivity38 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity4.5×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.77 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 98% of aluminum grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.64 V
Corrosion ResistancePoor30/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryPoor in chloride-bearing and acidic media; Cu-rich phases drive pitting and exfoliation. Requires alclad, anodize+primer or chromate-free conversion coating; avoid direct contact with steel/CFRP without isolation.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 2124-T8511 takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)210 MJ/kg90,284 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)12.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content5%

Manufacturability7

2124-T8511's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (20/100).

MachinabilityVery good78/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)70%
WeldabilityPoor20/100
Formability (cold)Poor20/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityNot recommended10/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsefair — hard/sulfuric anodize is routine for protection but Cu content gives dark, non-uniform color; chromic or sulfuric + seal used for airframe parts

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

Working with 2124-T8511

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Sicontrolled low for toughness≤ 0.2—
Fecontrolled low for toughness≤ 0.3—
Cu3.8 – 4.94.4
Mn0.3 – 0.90.6
Mg1.2 – 1.81.5
Cr≤ 0.1—
Zn≤ 0.25—
Ti≤ 0.15—
Others (each)≤ 0.05—
Others (total)≤ 0.15—
Albalance—

2124-T8511 — frequently asked

What is 2124-T8511 used for?

2124-T8511 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-T8511?

2124-T8511 has a typical yield strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — stronger than 91% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is 2124-T8511 easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 89% 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-T8511 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-T8511?

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-T8511 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-T8511?

2124-T8511 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Can FabDigit make parts in 2124-T8511?

Yes — 2124-T8511 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. AMS 4101 — Aluminum Alloy Plate 2124-T851 — SAE International (2018)
  3. EN 573-3 / EN 485-2 wrought aluminium plate — CEN (2019)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. MMPDS-17 (Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization) — Battelle/FAA (2022)
  6. 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.