Aluminum 2519-T87
Temper · default condition
AA 2519 · UNS A92519 · also MIL-DTL-46192
T87 = t8 with 7 % cold work
The standard MIL-DTL-46192 armor plate condition — highest strength with qualified ballistic and weld performance.
Values for the T87 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 |
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 |
T87DefaultThis page 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-T87?
2519-T87 is 2519 in the T87 temper — the standard MIL-DTL-46192 armor plate condition — highest strength with qualified ballistic and weld performance. 2519-T87 has a yield strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) and a tensile strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) — stronger than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 73.1 GPa (10.6 Msi). 2519-T87 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).
Advantages
- High strength — 448 MPa (65 ksi), better than 91% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 33 MPa·√m (30 ksi·√in), better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 38/100, worse than 79% of aluminum grades
2519-T87 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2519-T87; 16 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-T87 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-T87 has a yield strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) and a tensile strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) — stronger than 91% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 73.1 GPa (10.6 Msi).
Thermal6
2519-T87 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 125 W/m·K (72.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.3 µm/m·K (12.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2519-T87 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, worse than 73% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 79% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2519-T87 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-T87's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability poor (28/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2519-T87
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-T87 — frequently asked
What is 2519-T87 used for?
2519-T87 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-T87?
2519-T87 has a typical yield strength of 448 MPa (65 ksi) and a tensile strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) — stronger than 91% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2519-T87 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 80% 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-T87 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-T87?
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-T87 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-T87?
2519-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 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.