Aluminum 2A02-T6
Temper · default condition
GB 2A02
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Use the solution treated and artificially aged state as default for forged structural and load-bearing parts: 280 MPa yield and service to 180 °C at 12% elongation.
Values for the T6 condition
Other 2A02 tempers and conditions
2A02 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 2A02.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Order the annealed soft state for cold heading, cold bending and deep forming, or as stock before solution treatment and ageing; tensile strength is only 200 MPa. | 105 | 200 | 20 | 55 HB | 45 % IACS |
As fabricated | Take as-fabricated forging blanks when you will run your own solution treatment and ageing; mechanical properties are not guaranteed in this delivery state. | 130 | 250 | 14 | 75 HB | 42 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Choose hot-worked extruded bar and profiles for moderate strength (260 MPa tensile) and easy machining ahead of subsequent solution treatment and ageing. | 150 | 260 | 14 | 80 HB | 40 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Pick solution treated and naturally aged material for rivets and parts needing some formability: cold head soon after quenching, then natural ageing gives 400 MPa tensile. | 250 | 400 | 15 | 105 HB | 30 % IACS |
T6DefaultThis page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Use the solution treated and artificially aged state as default for forged structural and load-bearing parts: 280 MPa yield and service to 180 °C at 12% elongation. | 280 | 440 | 12 | 120 HB | 33 % IACS |
What is 2A02-T6?
2A02-T6 is 2A02 in the T6 temper — use the solution treated and artificially aged state as default for forged structural and load-bearing parts: 280 MPa yield and service to 180 °C at 12% elongation. 2A02-T6 has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 72% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). 2A02-T6 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).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 33/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 22/100, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
2A02-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2A02-T6; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2A02 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2A02-T6 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
2A02-T6 has a yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 72% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
2A02-T6 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 65% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.5 µm/m·K (12.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2A02-T6 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (33/100), worse than 91% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2A02-T6 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
2A02-T6's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (22/100); formability poor (30/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2A02-T6
Is 2A02 easy to machine?
Machinability is good in T6 with clean chip breaking; use sharp positive-rake tools, high cutting speed and ample coolant. This avoids work hardening and built-up edge on the tool.
Can 2A02 be welded?
Fusion welding by TIG or MIG causes hot cracking and joint softening and is generally not recommended. Prefer riveting, bolting, friction stir welding or resistance spot welding.
Can 2A02 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the O temper or immediately after quenching in the fresh T4 condition. Hot forge at about 380–460 °C; cold bend radii in T6 must be large.
What surface finishes work on 2A02?
Sulfuric or chromic anodize serves as a protective base layer, though the film runs dark; follow with chemical conversion coating plus primer or paint. Insulate joints with steel parts to prevent galvanic corrosion.
2A02 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cu | 2.6 – 3.2 | 2.9 |
| Mg | 2 – 2.4 | 2.2 |
| Mn | 0.45 – 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Siimpurity | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Niimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each)individual other element | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total of other elements | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2A02-T6 — frequently asked
What is 2A02-T6 used for?
2A02-T6 is typically used for rivets, structural fasteners and forged fittings. In short: rivet-grade Al-Cu-Mg; 2017-class strength; forging and upsetting stock.
What is the yield strength of 2A02-T6?
2A02-T6 has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — stronger than 72% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 2A02-T6 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machinability is good in T6 with clean chip breaking; use sharp positive-rake tools, high cutting speed and ample coolant. This avoids work hardening and built-up edge on the tool.
Can 2A02-T6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (22/100). Fusion welding by TIG or MIG causes hot cracking and joint softening and is generally not recommended. Prefer riveting, bolting, friction stir welding or resistance spot welding.
What surface finishes work on 2A02-T6?
Sulfuric or chromic anodize serves as a protective base layer, though the film runs dark; follow with chemical conversion coating plus primer or paint. Insulate joints with steel parts to prevent galvanic corrosion.
Can 2A02-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the O temper or immediately after quenching in the fresh T4 condition. Hot forge at about 380–460 °C; cold bend radii in T6 must be large.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2A02-T6?
2A02-T6 is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 2A02-T6 and 2A02-O?
T6 is the default condition — use the solution treated and artificially aged state as default for forged structural and load-bearing parts: 280 MPa yield and service to 180 °C at 12% elongation. O: order the annealed soft state for cold heading, cold bending and deep forming, or as stock before solution treatment and ageing; tensile strength is only 200 MPa. Yield strength is 280 MPa in T6 versus 105 MPa in O.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.