Aluminum 2618A-T6511
Temper
AA 2618A · EN AlCu2Mg1.5Ni
T6511 = t6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening
Standard temper for extruded bar and profiles that need straightness plus low residual stress for symmetric machining.
Values for the T6511 condition
Other 2618A tempers and conditions
2618A is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at 2618A.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, used only for intermediate working or straightening before re-solution treatment. | 130 | 240 | 18 | 65 HB | 44 % IACS |
As fabricated | Intermediate supply condition for parts that will be solution treated and aged after machining or further forging. | 190 | 300 | 14 | 85 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Rarely stocked; only used as a transient condition when forming or straightening must follow solution treatment. | 240 | 380 | 16 | 95 HB | 34 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged (stabilized) | Overaged for maximum dimensional and property stability in long-term service above 200 °C, trading ~10 % strength. | 330 | 400 | 11 | 105 HB | 42 % IACS |
T6 variant, underaged | Milder quench used on complex forgings and pistons to limit distortion and quench cracking, at a small strength penalty. | 370 | 440 | 10 | 115 HB | 39 % IACS |
T6511This page T6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening | Standard temper for extruded bar and profiles that need straightness plus low residual stress for symmetric machining. | 370 | 435 | 8 | 115 HB | 39 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard peak-aged condition for forged pistons, impellers and small forgings where no stress-relief stretch is applied. | 372 | 440 | 9 | 115 HB | 39 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Choose for machined plate and rolled bar where low residual stress and dimensional stability during machining are critical. | 378 | 440 | 8 | 118 HB | 39 % IACS |
T851Default T8, stress relieved by stretching | Most commonly stocked condition for 2618A plate and rolled/forged bar — peak strength with low residual stress and best machining stability. | 380 | 440 | 8 | 118 HB | 39 % IACS |
Solution treated, cold compressed for stress relief, artificially aged | Specified for hand and die forgings (compressor impellers, engine rings) where stress relief by stretching is impossible. | 390 | 455 | 8 | 122 HB | 39 % IACS |
What is 2618A-T6511?
2618A-T6511 is 2618A in the T6511 temper — standard temper for extruded bar and profiles that need straightness plus low residual stress for symmetric machining. 2618A-T6511 has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 85% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi). 2618A-T6511 has a density of 2.76 g/cm³ (0.0997 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of aluminum grades. It melts at 502°C (936 °F). T851 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6511 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), better than 90% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 370 MPa (53.7 ksi), better than 85% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 14 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 32/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 18/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
2618A-T6511 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2618A-T6511; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2618A reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2618A-T6511 has a density of 2.76 g/cm³ (0.0997 lb/in³), heavier than 70% of aluminum grades. It melts at 502°C (936 °F).
Mechanical15
2618A-T6511 has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 85% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi).
Thermal6
2618A-T6511 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 146 W/m·K (84.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 55% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.3 µm/m·K (12.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2618A-T6511 conducts electricity at 39 % IACS, better than 65% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), worse than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2618A-T6511 takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 14 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 12%.
Manufacturability7
2618A-T6511's machinability is good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (18/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2618A-T6511
Is 2618A easy to machine?
Machines well in T6/T851 with sharp carbide or PCD tooling and flood coolant, but the hard Al₉FeNi particles cause measurable flank wear — expect shorter tool life than 6061/7075.
Can 2618A be welded?
Not considered fusion weldable for structural use (hot-cracking and loss of temper); joining is by fasteners, friction welding or friction stir with post-weld heat treatment.
Can 2618A be formed, bent or molded?
A forging/extrusion alloy — hot work at roughly 400–450 °C; cold forming in the T tempers is limited to minor straightening and stretching.
What surface finishes work on 2618A?
Hard anodise (Type III) is the standard surface for pistons and engine hardware; decorative anodising is mottled dark grey, so painting/priming or chromate conversion is used for corrosion protection.
2618A 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 | 0.15 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Feforms Al₉FeNi with Ni — key to high-temperature strength | 0.9 – 1.4 | 1.1 |
| Cu | 1.8 – 2.7 | 2.3 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Mg | 1.2 – 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Ni | 0.8 – 1.4 | 1.1 |
| Zn | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| TiTi+Zr ≤ 0.25 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.07 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2618A-T6511 — frequently asked
What is 2618A-T6511 used for?
2618A-T6511 is typically used for jet engine components, forged pistons and high-temperature airframe parts. In short: best hot-strength 2000-series alloy; 200 °C forged engine grade; 2618 to European limits.
What is the yield strength of 2618A-T6511?
2618A-T6511 has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — stronger than 85% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 2618A-T6511 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T6/T851 with sharp carbide or PCD tooling and flood coolant, but the hard Al₉FeNi particles cause measurable flank wear — expect shorter tool life than 6061/7075.
Can 2618A-T6511 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (18/100). Not considered fusion weldable for structural use (hot-cracking and loss of temper); joining is by fasteners, friction welding or friction stir with post-weld heat treatment.
What surface finishes work on 2618A-T6511?
Hard anodise (Type III) is the standard surface for pistons and engine hardware; decorative anodising is mottled dark grey, so painting/priming or chromate conversion is used for corrosion protection.
Can 2618A-T6511 be formed, bent or molded?
A forging/extrusion alloy — hot work at roughly 400–450 °C; cold forming in the T tempers is limited to minor straightening and stretching.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2618A-T6511?
2618A-T6511 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 2618A-T851 and 2618A-O?
T851 is the default condition — most commonly stocked condition for 2618A plate and rolled/forged bar — peak strength with low residual stress and best machining stability. O: softest condition, used only for intermediate working or straightening before re-solution treatment. Yield strength is 380 MPa in T851 versus 130 MPa in O.
Sources
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — chemical composition of wrought products — CEN (2019)
- EN 586-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Forgings, mechanical properties — CEN (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS-17 (2618 alloy allowables and typicals) — Battelle/FAA (2022)
- AMS 4132 — Aluminum Alloy Forgings 2618, Solution and Precipitation Heat Treated — SAE International (2019)
- High-temperature aluminium forging stock 2618A datasheet — Constellium / Otto Fuchs (2021)
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.