Aluminum 2A06
GB 2A06
2A06 (LY6) is a high-strength Al-Cu-Mg alloy of the 2000-series family, also designated LY6, strengthened by solution treatment and natural or artificial ageing rather than cold work.
Reference datasheet — 2A06 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 T4 condition
2A06 tempers and conditions
2A06 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. T4 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Choose the annealed condition for deep cold forming and bending or as feedstock before solution treatment and ageing; tensile is only 220 MPa at 18% elongation. | 110 | 220 | 18 | 55 HB | 48 % IACS |
T3, stress relieved by stretching | Choose for machined thick plate and bar: stretching after solution treatment relieves residual stress, so parts stay dimensionally stable after heavy cutting. | 310 | 450 | 12 | 118 HB | 30 % IACS |
T4Default Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Pick the solution treated and naturally aged default for riveted structures and skins, balancing 460 MPa tensile, 12% elongation and fatigue performance. | 320 | 460 | 12 | 120 HB | 30 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Specify when complex sheet-metal or machined parts are solution treated and artificially aged after forming, giving 390 MPa yield with 7% elongation. | 390 | 470 | 7 | 132 HB | 36 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Use solution treated and artificially aged stock when 400 MPa yield and heat resistance to 175 °C matter more than ductility (8%) and fracture toughness. | 400 | 480 | 8 | 135 HB | 36 % IACS |
What is 2A06?
2A06 (LY6) is a high-strength Al-Cu-Mg alloy of the 2000-series family, also designated LY6, strengthened by solution treatment and natural or artificial ageing rather than cold work. It is used for aircraft structural sheet and plate and load-bearing frames, with default T-temper values of 320 MPa yield, 460 MPa tensile, 12 % elongation and 120 HB. The limits are a 150 °C service ceiling, low corrosion resistance (30/100) and poor fusion weldability, so assemblies are riveted and surfaces are clad or anodized. 2024 is the nearest widely stocked alternative. 2A06 has a density of 2.77 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of aluminum grades. It melts at 505°C (941 °F). 2A06 has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 80% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is 2A06 used for?
- Aircraft structural sheet and plate
- Load-bearing airframe frames
- Fuselage skins and stringers
- Riveted structural fittings
- High-strength machined brackets
- Bulkheads and rib webs
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 32 MPa·√m (29.1 ksi·√in), better than 83% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 320 MPa (46.4 ksi), better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- High embodied carbon — 16 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
2A06 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2A06-T4; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2A06 has a density of 2.77 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 71% of aluminum grades. It melts at 505°C (941 °F).
Mechanical13
2A06 has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 80% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
2A06 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 65% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.8 µm/m·K (12.7 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2A06 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, worse than 73% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 98% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2A06 takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 16 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability7
2A06's machinability is good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. 2A06 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2A06
Is 2A06 easy to machine?
Machines well in T4/T351 with sharp, high-rake tooling, high surface speed and emulsion flood coolant for a clean finish. Annealed (O) stock is gummy and builds up on the cutting edge, so finish machine after ageing.
Can 2A06 be welded?
Fusion welding (TIG/MIG) is prone to hot cracking and joint softening; production joints are riveted, adhesive-bonded and riveted, or resistance spot welded. Friction stir welding is feasible.
Can 2A06 be formed, bent or molded?
Formability is best in the O temper or in freshly quenched T4 (within a few hours of quench). Deep bends should be made after annealing, then re-solution treated and aged to T62; T6 material is essentially not cold formable.
2A06 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 | 3.8 – 4.3 | 4.05 |
| Mg | 1.7 – 2.3 | 2 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Tigrain refinement | 0.03 – 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Siimpurity | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Znimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Niimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each)others each ≤0.05, total ≤0.10 | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2A06?
Use Alclad sheet with chromic or boric-sulfuric anodize, or a chemical conversion coating followed by primer. The high copper content darkens decorative anodic films; hard anodize can be applied where wear resistance is needed.
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 2A06 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- LY6
How much does 2A06 cost?
2A06 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
2A06 — frequently asked
What is 2A06 used for?
2A06 is typically used for aircraft structural sheet and plate, load-bearing airframe frames, fuselage skins and stringers, riveted structural fittings, high-strength machined brackets and bulkheads and rib webs. In short: 2024-class airframe alloy; high strength, riveted joints; low corrosion resistance.
What is the yield strength of 2A06?
2A06 has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 80% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 2A06 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T4/T351 with sharp, high-rake tooling, high surface speed and emulsion flood coolant for a clean finish. Annealed (O) stock is gummy and builds up on the cutting edge, so finish machine after ageing.
Can 2A06 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Fusion welding (TIG/MIG) is prone to hot cracking and joint softening; production joints are riveted, adhesive-bonded and riveted, or resistance spot welded. Friction stir welding is feasible.
What surface finishes work on 2A06?
Use Alclad sheet with chromic or boric-sulfuric anodize, or a chemical conversion coating followed by primer. The high copper content darkens decorative anodic films; hard anodize can be applied where wear resistance is needed.
Can 2A06 be formed, bent or molded?
Formability is best in the O temper or in freshly quenched T4 (within a few hours of quench). Deep bends should be made after annealing, then re-solution treated and aged to T62; T6 material is essentially not cold formable.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2A06?
2A06 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 2A06-T4 and 2A06-O?
T4 is the default condition — pick the solution treated and naturally aged default for riveted structures and skins, balancing 460 MPa tensile, 12% elongation and fatigue performance. O: choose the annealed condition for deep cold forming and bending or as feedstock before solution treatment and ageing; tensile is only 220 MPa at 18% elongation. Yield strength is 320 MPa in T4 versus 110 MPa in O.
How much does 2A06 cost?
2A06 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS-17 (2024/2024-T4, T351 ) — Battelle/FAA (2022)
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.