Aluminum 2A16
GB 2A16
2A16 (LY16) is a heat-resistant Al-Cu alloy of the 2000-series family that fills the same role as 2219 in elevated-temperature structure, available in O, T4, T6, T62, T851 and F.
Reference datasheet — 2A16 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 T6 condition
2A16 tempers and conditions
2A16 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. T6 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition for cold forming, deep drawing and machining before heat treatment. | 80 | 185 | 20 | 48 HB | 44 % IACS |
As fabricated | Mill stock intended for subsequent forging and full solution + ageing treatment; properties not guaranteed. | 140 | 250 | 14 | 70 HB | 40 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Pick when parts must be formed or riveted after solution treatment and only moderate strength is needed. | 185 | 340 | 16 | 90 HB | 28 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Used for parts formed or welded in the soft state and then given a full heat treatment cycle. | 260 | 395 | 10 | 108 HB | 30 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard supply condition: peak strength plus the best retention of strength at 200–250 °C. | 265 | 400 | 10 | 110 HB | 30 % IACS |
T8, stress relieved by stretching | Choose for thick plate and machined structural parts where low residual stress and higher yield strength matter. | 320 | 425 | 8 | 120 HB | 32 % IACS |
What is 2A16?
2A16 (LY16) is a heat-resistant Al-Cu alloy of the 2000-series family that fills the same role as 2219 in elevated-temperature structure, available in O, T4, T6, T62, T851 and F. It is specified for parts that must hold strength to about 250 °C, such as engine nacelle components and hot structural sheet, plate and forgings, with 265 MPa yield, 400 MPa tensile, 10 % elongation and 110 HB. It is one of the more fusion-weldable 2000-series grades, but corrosion resistance is low and cladding, anodizing or primer is required; 2A17 offers higher strength at the same temperature. 2A16 has a density of 2.84 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of aluminum grades. It melts at 540°C (1,004 °F). 2A16 has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 69% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
What is 2A16 used for?
- Elevated-temperature structural parts
- Engine nacelle components
- Welded structural assemblies above 150 °C
- Heat-resistant sheet and plate skins
- Forged high-temperature fittings
- Machined brackets near hot zones
Advantages
- High service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), better than 97% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 33/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
2A16 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2A16-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2A16 has a density of 2.84 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of aluminum grades. It melts at 540°C (1,004 °F).
Mechanical13
2A16 has a yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 69% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
2A16 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 125 W/m·K (72.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.6 µm/m·K (12.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2A16 conducts electricity at 30 % IACS, worse than 73% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (33/100), worse than 91% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2A16 takes about 210 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 8%.
Manufacturability7
2A16's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. 2A16 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2A16
Is 2A16 easy to machine?
Machines cleanly in T6/T851 with sharp carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; gummy and prone to built-up edge in the O temper.
Can 2A16 be welded?
One of the better-welding 2000-series alloys — TIG/MIG or FSW with ER2319-type filler; expect ~60 % joint efficiency as-welded unless re-solution treated and aged.
Can 2A16 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or freshly quenched T4 condition; T6/T851 stock has limited bend ductility (min bend radius ≥3–4 t) and should be hot formed at 300–400 °C if severe.
2A16 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cumain strengthening element (Al₂Cu) | 6 – 7 | 6.5 |
| Mngrain/recrystallisation control, heat resistance | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Tigrain refinement, weld cracking resistance | 0.1 – 0.2 | 0.15 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Mgkept low (2A17 is the Mg-bearing variant) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Niimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Other (each)others total ≤0.15 | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2A16?
Chromic or sulfuric anodize plus primer/paint, or alclad sheet, is normally specified; conversion coating (chromate/Cr-free) before painting is standard because bare surfaces pit readily.
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 2A16 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- LY16
How much does 2A16 cost?
2A16 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.
2A16 — frequently asked
What is 2A16 used for?
2A16 is typically used for elevated-temperature structural parts, engine nacelle components, welded structural assemblies above 150 °C, heat-resistant sheet and plate skins, forged high-temperature fittings and machined brackets near hot zones. In short: most weldable 2000-series grade; 250 °C service capability; 2219-class heat resistance.
What is the yield strength of 2A16?
2A16 has a typical yield strength of 265 MPa (38.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 69% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2A16 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines cleanly in T6/T851 with sharp carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; gummy and prone to built-up edge in the O temper.
Can 2A16 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). One of the better-welding 2000-series alloys — TIG/MIG or FSW with ER2319-type filler; expect ~60 % joint efficiency as-welded unless re-solution treated and aged.
What surface finishes work on 2A16?
Chromic or sulfuric anodize plus primer/paint, or alclad sheet, is normally specified; conversion coating (chromate/Cr-free) before painting is standard because bare surfaces pit readily.
Can 2A16 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or freshly quenched T4 condition; T6/T851 stock has limited bend ductility (min bend radius ≥3–4 t) and should be hot formed at 300–400 °C if severe.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2A16?
2A16 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 2A16-T6 and 2A16-O?
T6 is the default condition — standard supply condition: peak strength plus the best retention of strength at 200–250 °C. O: softest condition for cold forming, deep drawing and machining before heat treatment. Yield strength is 265 MPa in T6 versus 80 MPa in O.
How much does 2A16 cost?
2A16 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 (2219 data used as analogue) — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS-17 aluminium 2219 property tables (analogue) — 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.