Aluminum 2196-T851
Temper
AA 2196 · UNS A92196
T851 = t8, stress relieved by stretching
Plate condition for machined structural parts needing low residual stress and stable dimensions.
Values for the T851 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 |
T851This page 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 |
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-T851?
2196-T851 is 2196 in the T851 temper — plate condition for machined structural parts needing low residual stress and stable dimensions. 2196-T851 has a yield strength of 535 MPa (77.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 97% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi). 2196-T851 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; T851 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 535 MPa (77.6 ksi), better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 34 MPa·√m (30.9 ksi·√in), better than 90% 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-T851 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2196-T851; 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-T851 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-T851 has a yield strength of 535 MPa (77.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 97% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi).
Thermal6
2196-T851 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-T851 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-T851 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-T851's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (28/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2196-T851
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-T851 — frequently asked
What is 2196-T851 used for?
2196-T851 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-T851?
2196-T851 has a typical yield strength of 535 MPa (77.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 97% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 2196-T851 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-T851 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-T851?
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-T851 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-T851?
2196-T851 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.