Aluminum 2524
AA 2524 · UNS A92524
2524 is an Al-Cu-Mg (2000 series) sheet alloy, UNS A92524, a controlled-purity development of 2024 aimed at damage tolerance and slower fatigue crack growth in fuselage skins.
Reference datasheet — 2524 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the T3 condition
2524 tempers and conditions
2524 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. T3 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition for severe forming or intermediate processing; must be re-solution treated and aged to reach service properties. | 78 | 185 | 20 | 47 HB | 50 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Use where the cold-work step of T3 is not applied, e.g. after forming and re-solution treatment. | 295 | 435 | 22 | 112 HB | 30 % IACS |
Alclad 2524-T3 | Cladding-protected fuselage skin sheet: much better corrosion resistance, slightly lower net strength because the clad layer carries little load. | 310 | 435 | 20 | 115 HB | 32 % IACS |
T3, stress relieved by stretching | Plate/heavy-sheet version with low residual stress for machined damage-tolerant structure. | 325 | 455 | 20 | 118 HB | 30 % IACS |
T3Default Solution heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged | Standard fuselage-skin sheet condition: best balance of static strength, fracture toughness and fatigue-crack-growth resistance. | 330 | 455 | 21 | 120 HB | 30 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, extra cold worked, naturally aged | Higher-yield stretched/cold-rolled variant for lower-wing or skin applications where strength governs over maximum toughness. | 395 | 480 | 13 | 130 HB | 31 % IACS |
Solution heat treated, cold worked and artificially aged | Artificially aged high-strength condition with improved thermal stability and intergranular-corrosion behaviour; toughness lower than T3. | 460 | 500 | 8 | 140 HB | 38 % IACS |
What is 2524?
2524 is an Al-Cu-Mg (2000 series) sheet alloy, UNS A92524, a controlled-purity development of 2024 aimed at damage tolerance and slower fatigue crack growth in fuselage skins. It is supplied as bare and Alclad sheet in T3/T351 and formed before assembly; the default condition gives 330 MPa yield, 455 MPa tensile, 21 % elongation and 120 HB. It is not arc weldable, is limited to about 120 °C service, and needs cladding, anodize or conversion coating plus primer for chloride exposure. Alclad 2024-T3 is the direct alternative. 2524 has a density of 2.78 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of aluminum grades. It melts at 502°C (936 °F). 2524 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 72.4 GPa (10.5 Msi).
What is 2524 used for?
- Fuselage skin sheet
- Pressure cabin skin panels
- Damage-tolerant aerospace sheet structure
- Formed stringers and frames from sheet
- Access panels and doors
- Repair doublers and skin patches
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 42 MPa·√m (38.2 ksi·√in), better than 99% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 21%, better than 91% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), better than 81% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
2524 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2524-T3; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2524 has a density of 2.78 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of aluminum grades. It melts at 502°C (936 °F).
Mechanical14
2524 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 72.4 GPa (10.5 Msi).
Thermal6
2524 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.2 µm/m·K (12.9 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2524 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, worse than 73% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2524 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 8%.
Manufacturability7
2524's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (45/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 2524 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2524
Is 2524 easy to machine?
Machines very freely in T3/T351 with sharp polished carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; produces long chips, so use high-rake geometry and chip breakers.
Can 2524 be welded?
Not suitable for arc fusion welding (hot cracking, loss of temper); join by riveting, bonding or friction stir welding with post-weld property allowance.
Can 2524 be formed, bent or molded?
Form T3 sheet with generous bend radii (≈3–4 t) or use freshly solution-treated/refrigerated 'W' material; brake-form across the rolling direction where possible.
2524 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 | 4 – 4.5 | 4.25 |
| Mg | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.4 |
| Mndispersoid former, grain control | 0.45 – 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Sitightly restricted for toughness | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Fetightly restricted; limits coarse constituent particles | ≤ 0.12 | 0.06 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2524?
Standard aerospace route is chromic or thin-film sulfuric anodize (or conversion coating) followed by epoxy primer/topcoat; bare surfaces need cladding or coating for chloride exposure.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 2524 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A92524
How much does 2524 cost?
2524 is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
2524 — frequently asked
What is 2524 used for?
2524 is typically used for fuselage skin sheet, pressure cabin skin panels, damage-tolerant aerospace sheet structure, formed stringers and frames from sheet, access panels and doors and repair doublers and skin patches. In short: damage-tolerant 2024 upgrade; high-elongation 2000-series sheet; available as Alclad sheet.
What is the yield strength of 2524?
2524 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — stronger than 81% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 2524 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades). Machines very freely in T3/T351 with sharp polished carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; produces long chips, so use high-rake geometry and chip breakers.
Can 2524 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not suitable for arc fusion welding (hot cracking, loss of temper); join by riveting, bonding or friction stir welding with post-weld property allowance.
What surface finishes work on 2524?
Standard aerospace route is chromic or thin-film sulfuric anodize (or conversion coating) followed by epoxy primer/topcoat; bare surfaces need cladding or coating for chloride exposure.
Can 2524 be formed, bent or molded?
Form T3 sheet with generous bend radii (≈3–4 t) or use freshly solution-treated/refrigerated 'W' material; brake-form across the rolling direction where possible.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2524?
2524 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 2524-T3 and 2524-O?
T3 is the default condition — standard fuselage-skin sheet condition: best balance of static strength, fracture toughness and fatigue-crack-growth resistance. O: softest condition for severe forming or intermediate processing; must be re-solution treated and aged to reach service properties. Yield strength is 330 MPa in T3 versus 78 MPa in O.
How much does 2524 cost?
2524 is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- AMS 4296 — Aluminum Alloy, Alclad Sheet 2524-T3 — SAE International (2019)
- MMPDS — Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization — FAA/Battelle (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Alcoa/Arconic 2524 damage-tolerant fuselage sheet product information — Alcoa (2015)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.