Aluminum 2519-T6
Temper
AA 2519 · UNS A92519 · also MIL-DTL-46192
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Peak-aged condition for formed or machined parts that cannot take the stretch of T8x tempers.
Values for the T6 condition
Other 2519 tempers and conditions
2519 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 2519.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition for severe forming, straightening or machining before re-solution treatment. | 80 | 175 | 20 | 48 HB | 44 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Intermediate strength with better ductility for forming operations before artificial aging. | 250 | 375 | 18 | 100 HB | 27 % IACS |
T6This page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Peak-aged condition for formed or machined parts that cannot take the stretch of T8x tempers. | 350 | 440 | 11 | 120 HB | 32 % IACS |
Modified (interrupted/two-step) aging for improved ballistic toughness | Army-developed modified aging that trades a little strength for higher toughness and better resistance to ballistic-shock cracking; specialty supply only. | 395 | 455 | 12 | 128 HB | 32 % IACS |
T8, stress relieved by stretching | Low-residual-stress plate temper for machined structural parts where flatness after machining matters. | 400 | 462 | 10 | 130 HB | 31 % IACS |
T87Default T8 with 7 % cold work | The standard MIL-DTL-46192 armor plate condition — highest strength with qualified ballistic and weld performance. | 448 | 483 | 10 | 135 HB | 30 % IACS |
What is 2519-T6?
2519-T6 is 2519 in the T6 temper — peak-aged condition for formed or machined parts that cannot take the stretch of T8x tempers. 2519-T6 has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 83% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 73.1 GPa (10.6 Msi). 2519-T6 has a density of 2.82 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of aluminum grades. It melts at 543°C (1,009 °F). T87 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 33 MPa·√m (30 ksi·√in), better than 87% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 350 MPa (50.8 ksi), better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 38/100, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
2519-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2519-T6; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2519 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2519-T6 has a density of 2.82 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of aluminum grades. It melts at 543°C (1,009 °F).
Mechanical14
2519-T6 has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 83% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 73.1 GPa (10.6 Msi).
Thermal6
2519-T6 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 122 W/m·K (70.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 74% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.3 µm/m·K (12.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2519-T6 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2519-T6 takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
2519-T6's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability poor (28/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2519-T6
Is 2519 easy to machine?
Machines well in T87/T851 with sharp carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; chips are short and surface finish good, but relieve stresses before heavy asymmetric material removal in thick plate.
Can 2519 be welded?
Designed for GMAW/GTAW with 2319 filler and for friction stir welding; expect ~55–70 % of base-metal strength in the as-welded HAZ, so weld lines are kept out of primary ballistic areas and post-weld aging is sometimes used.
Can 2519 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability in T87 is poor (large bend radii only); form in O or T4 and then heat treat/age, or use hot forming above ~300 °C.
What surface finishes work on 2519?
Chromate/trivalent conversion coating plus CARC or epoxy primer is standard; sulfuric anodize gives adequate protection but a darker, less uniform film because of the high Cu content, and bare plate must never be left unprotected in marine service.
2519 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cuprincipal strengthening element | 5.3 – 6.4 | 5.8 |
| Mg | 0.05 – 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Zrgrain-structure control | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| V | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Ti | 0.02 – 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Si | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2519-T6 — frequently asked
What is 2519-T6 used for?
2519-T6 is typically used for military vehicle armor plate, amphibious and combat vehicle hull panels, ballistic structural bulkheads, welded armored hull weldments, appliqué armor kits and machined armor mounting fittings. In short: weldable armor-grade aluminum; ballistic plate alloy; poor cold formability.
What is the yield strength of 2519-T6?
2519-T6 has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 83% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2519-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T87/T851 with sharp carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; chips are short and surface finish good, but relieve stresses before heavy asymmetric material removal in thick plate.
Can 2519-T6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Designed for GMAW/GTAW with 2319 filler and for friction stir welding; expect ~55–70 % of base-metal strength in the as-welded HAZ, so weld lines are kept out of primary ballistic areas and post-weld aging is sometimes used.
What surface finishes work on 2519-T6?
Chromate/trivalent conversion coating plus CARC or epoxy primer is standard; sulfuric anodize gives adequate protection but a darker, less uniform film because of the high Cu content, and bare plate must never be left unprotected in marine service.
Can 2519-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability in T87 is poor (large bend radii only); form in O or T4 and then heat treat/age, or use hot forming above ~300 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2519-T6?
2519-T6 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 2519-T87 and 2519-O?
T87 is the default condition — the standard MIL-DTL-46192 armor plate condition — highest strength with qualified ballistic and weld performance. O: softest condition for severe forming, straightening or machining before re-solution treatment. Yield strength is 448 MPa in T87 versus 80 MPa in O.
Sources
- MIL-DTL-46192 Armor Plate, Aluminum Alloy 2519 — US DoD (2016)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization — Battelle/FAA (2023)
- US Army Research Laboratory reports on 2519 aluminum armor and friction stir welding — ARL (2005)
- SMM / Mysteel aluminium plate price references (2025)
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.