Aluminum 2196-T8
Temper
AA 2196 · UNS A92196
T8 = solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged
Generic peak-aged designation quoted when the specific stretch/straighten sub-temper is not called out.
Values for the T8 condition
Other 2196 tempers and conditions
2196 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 2196.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Mill/as-extruded stock intended for subsequent solution treatment and ageing, not for structural use. | 250 | 380 | 12 | 100 HB | 16 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, stress-relieved by stretching, cold worked,… | Choose when parts must be formed, bent or machined before a final artificial ageing step. | 300 | 430 | 14 | 115 HB | 16 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked (≈1 % permanent set), artificially… | Sheet/light-gauge condition where only light cold work is applied before ageing. | 530 | 570 | 8 | 145 HB | 18 % IACS |
T8, stress relieved by stretching | Plate condition for machined structural parts needing low residual stress and stable dimensions. | 535 | 580 | 8 | 147 HB | 18 % IACS |
T8This page Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Generic peak-aged designation quoted when the specific stretch/straighten sub-temper is not called out. | 545 | 585 | 8 | 148 HB | 18 % IACS |
T8511Default Solution heat treated, stress-relieved by stretching, cold worked,… | Standard commercial supply condition for 2196 extruded floor beams, stringers and stiffeners — peak strength with low residual stress. | 560 | 600 | 8 | 150 HB | 18 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, stretched with higher cold work, artificially… | Higher cold-work variant of T8511 used where extra yield strength is wanted at some loss of ductility/toughness. | 590 | 625 | 6 | 158 HB | 18.5 % IACS |
What is 2196-T8?
2196-T8 is 2196 in the T8 temper — generic peak-aged designation quoted when the specific stretch/straighten sub-temper is not called out. 2196-T8 has a yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — stronger than 97% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi). 2196-T8 has a density of 2.63 g/cm³ (0.095 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of aluminum grades. It melts at 540°C (1,004 °F). T8511 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T8 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 545 MPa (79 ksi), better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 31 MPa·√m (28.2 ksi·√in), better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 18 % IACS, worse than 100% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 95 W/m·K (54.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- High embodied carbon — 14 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
2196-T8 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2196-T8; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2196 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2196-T8 has a density of 2.63 g/cm³ (0.095 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of aluminum grades. It melts at 540°C (1,004 °F).
Mechanical12
2196-T8 has a yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — stronger than 97% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi).
Thermal6
2196-T8 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 95 W/m·K (54.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 98% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.5 µm/m·K (12.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2196-T8 conducts electricity at 18 % IACS, worse than 100% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2196-T8 takes about 230 MJ of energy and emits 14 kg of CO₂ — more than 96% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability6
2196-T8's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2196-T8
Is 2196 easy to machine?
Machines much like 2024-T851 with sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speed and flood coolant; Li-bearing chips are reactive — keep fines dry, avoid water-based mist and store swarf away from moisture.
Can 2196 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking, Li oxidation, porosity); join by riveting, bolting or friction stir welding, which is the qualified route for Al-Li cryotank structure.
Can 2196 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in T3511/T4 condition or hot form, then age; T8 tempers have limited stretch and strong anisotropy, so bend radii should be generous and grain direction respected.
What surface finishes work on 2196?
Use tartaric-sulfuric or chromic anodize plus chromate-free primer for aerospace corrosion protection; alkaline etch/desmut cycles must be controlled because Li- and Cu-rich phases dissolve preferentially.
2196 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 | ≤ 0.12 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Cu | 2.5 – 3.3 | 2.9 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Mg | 0.25 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Li | 1.4 – 2.1 | 1.75 |
| Ag | 0.25 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Zr | 0.04 – 0.18 | 0.11 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2196-T8 — frequently asked
What is 2196-T8 used for?
2196-T8 is typically used for cryogenic tank sheet, fuselage skin, launch vehicle tank barrel panels, extruded stringers and stiffeners, integrally stiffened skin panels and aerospace structural sections. In short: highest strength Al-Li here; cryogenic tank sheet alloy; friction-stir weld route only.
What is the yield strength of 2196-T8?
2196-T8 has a typical yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — stronger than 97% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 2196-T8 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines much like 2024-T851 with sharp carbide/PCD tools, high speed and flood coolant; Li-bearing chips are reactive — keep fines dry, avoid water-based mist and store swarf away from moisture.
Can 2196-T8 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking, Li oxidation, porosity); join by riveting, bolting or friction stir welding, which is the qualified route for Al-Li cryotank structure.
What surface finishes work on 2196-T8?
Use tartaric-sulfuric or chromic anodize plus chromate-free primer for aerospace corrosion protection; alkaline etch/desmut cycles must be controlled because Li- and Cu-rich phases dissolve preferentially.
Can 2196-T8 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in T3511/T4 condition or hot form, then age; T8 tempers have limited stretch and strong anisotropy, so bend radii should be generous and grain direction respected.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2196-T8?
2196-T8 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 2196-T8511 and 2196-F?
T8511 is the default condition — standard commercial supply condition for 2196 extruded floor beams, stringers and stiffeners — peak strength with low residual stress. F: mill/as-extruded stock intended for subsequent solution treatment and ageing, not for structural use. Yield strength is 560 MPa in T8511 versus 250 MPa in F.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum-Lithium Alloys: Processing, Properties and Applications — Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann (2014)
- Al-Li extrusion alloy data (2196 / 2099 / 2195 family) — Constellium / Arconic (2021)
- MMPDS-type typical mechanical property data for Al-Li products — Battelle/FAA (2022)
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.