Aluminum 2195 · temper
Aluminum 2195-T87
Properties of the T87 condition, compared with the other 2195 tempers.
Peak-strength temper for strength-critical panels; lowest ductility and toughness of the 2195 T8 family.
What is 2195-T87?
2195-T87 is 2195 in the T87 temper — peak-strength temper for strength-critical panels; lowest ductility and toughness of the 2195 T8 family. 2195-T87 has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 615 MPa (89.2 ksi) — stronger than 98% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi). 2195-T87 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 570°C (1,058 °F). T8 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T87 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 580 MPa (84.1 ksi), better than 98% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 115 W/m·K (66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 38/100, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades
2195-T87 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2195-T87 — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 2195 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
2195-T87 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 570°C (1,058 °F).
Mechanical14
2195-T87 has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 615 MPa (89.2 ksi) — stronger than 98% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 76 GPa (11 Msi).
Thermal6
2195-T87 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 115 W/m·K (66.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 85% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2195-T87 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2195-T87 takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 13.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 92% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
2195-T87's machinability is good (60/100, better than 50% of aluminum grades); weldability good (62/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 2195 tempers and conditions
2195 is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 2195 overview.
- T8DefaultStandard high-strength delivery condition for 2195 plate and extrusions; the temper used on cryogenic tank structure.550 MPa yield · 160 HB
- T87Peak-strength temper for strength-critical panels; lowest ductility and toughness of the 2195 T8 family.580 MPa yield · 170 HB
- OSoftest condition, used for severe forming or intermediate processing before re-solution treating.150 MPa yield · 70 HB
Working with 2195-T87
Is 2195 easy to machine?
Machines like a hard 2xxx-T8: sharp uncoated carbide, high speed, generous flood coolant; Li-bearing fines are reactive, so collect chips wet and avoid dry grinding.
Can 2195 be welded?
Designed for fusion welding (VPPA/GTAW with 4043/2319-type filler) and is an excellent friction-stir-welding alloy; keep heat input low and expect a softened, re-agable HAZ.
Can 2195 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T3 then age to T8; T8 tempers are stiff and anisotropic with limited bend radii, so use warm forming or creep-age forming for curved panels.
What surface finishes work on 2195?
Chromic/sulfuric anodize or chromate/Cr-free conversion coat plus epoxy primer; bare surfaces pit in chloride service and Cu/Li phases make dyed anodize colours inconsistent.
2195 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cu | 3.7 – 4.3 | 4 |
| Liprimary density reducer | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Mg | 0.25 – 0.8 | 0.4 |
| Agpromotes T1 nucleation | 0.25 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Zrgrain-structure control | 0.08 – 0.16 | 0.12 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Si | ≤ 0.12 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2195-T87 — frequently asked
What is 2195-T87 used for?
2195-T87 is typically used for cryogenic fuel tanks, aerospace structures, launch vehicle tank barrels and domes, friction-stir-welded tank panels, machined airframe frames and ribs and weight-critical spacecraft brackets. In short: aluminum-lithium; low density; cryogenic-grade.
What is the yield strength of 2195-T87?
2195-T87 has a typical yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 615 MPa (89.2 ksi) — stronger than 98% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 2195-T87 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 50% of aluminum grades). Machines like a hard 2xxx-T8: sharp uncoated carbide, high speed, generous flood coolant; Li-bearing fines are reactive, so collect chips wet and avoid dry grinding.
Can 2195-T87 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). Designed for fusion welding (VPPA/GTAW with 4043/2319-type filler) and is an excellent friction-stir-welding alloy; keep heat input low and expect a softened, re-agable HAZ.
What surface finishes work on 2195-T87?
Chromic/sulfuric anodize or chromate/Cr-free conversion coat plus epoxy primer; bare surfaces pit in chloride service and Cu/Li phases make dyed anodize colours inconsistent.
Can 2195-T87 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T3 then age to T8; T8 tempers are stiff and anisotropic with limited bend radii, so use warm forming or creep-age forming for curved panels.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2195-T87?
2195-T87 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.
What is the difference between 2195-T8 and 2195-O?
T8 is the default condition — standard high-strength delivery condition for 2195 plate and extrusions; the temper used on cryogenic tank structure. O: softest condition, used for severe forming or intermediate processing before re-solution treating. Yield strength is 550 MPa in T8 versus 150 MPa in O.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2195-T87?
Yes — 2195-T87 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)
- AMS 4472 — Aluminum Alloy 2195 Plate — SAE International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Al-Li alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum-Lithium Alloys: Processing, Properties and Applications — Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann (2014)
- Al-Li alloy product data (2195/2050/2198) — Constellium / Arconic (2021)
- Super Lightweight External Tank 2195 material characterization reports — NASA / Lockheed Martin (1998)
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.