Aluminum 2A20-T6
Temper · default condition
GB 2A20
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Standard supply state for heat-resistant load-bearing parts: solution treated and artificially aged for peak room- and mid-temperature strength to 250 °C at 9% elongation.
Values for the T6 condition
Other 2A20 tempers and conditions
2A20 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 2A20.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick the annealed soft state for cold forming, deep working or stress-free machining; re-solution treat and age after forming, since tensile is only 180 MPa. | 90 | 180 | 20 | 48 HB | 45 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Choose as-extruded hot-worked bar and profiles for structures with modest strength needs or as stock for later heat treatment; 255 MPa tensile at 13% elongation. | 145 | 255 | 13 | 68 HB | 41 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Use solution treated and naturally aged wire and parts that must be headed or bent before ageing; 14% elongation beats the T6 state at 345 MPa tensile. | 195 | 345 | 14 | 95 HB | 30 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Choose when welded or cold-formed parts are solution treated and artificially aged after fabrication to restore 275 MPa yield and 250 °C service capability. | 275 | 390 | 8 | 112 HB | 33 % IACS |
T6DefaultThis page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard supply state for heat-resistant load-bearing parts: solution treated and artificially aged for peak room- and mid-temperature strength to 250 °C at 9% elongation. | 285 | 400 | 9 | 115 HB | 33 % IACS |
What is 2A20-T6?
2A20-T6 is 2A20 in the T6 temper — standard supply state for heat-resistant load-bearing parts: solution treated and artificially aged for peak room- and mid-temperature strength to 250 °C at 9% elongation. 2A20-T6 has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). 2A20-T6 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).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), better than 97% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 33/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
2A20-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2A20-T6; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2A20 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2A20-T6 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).
Mechanical15
2A20-T6 has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
2A20-T6 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 140 W/m·K (80.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 52% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.6 µm/m·K (12.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2A20-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 2A20-T6 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
2A20-T6's machinability is good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades); weldability good (58/100); formability fair (35/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2A20-T6
Is 2A20 easy to machine?
Cuts well in T6 with good chip breaking; use HSS or carbide tooling with a large rake angle and ample coolant. Copper-bearing phases promote built-up edge, so keep edges sharp.
Can 2A20 be welded?
Among the fusion-weldable 2000-series alloys: TIG/MIG with a high-copper filler such as ER2319. Control heat input and re-solution treat and age after welding to restore joint strength.
Can 2A20 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form in the O or T4 condition; in T6 the bend radius must be at least 3 t. Hot forming and forging are carried out at about 400–450 °C.
What surface finishes work on 2A20?
Corrosion resistance is poor, so clad sheet, chromic or sulfuric anodize, or conversion coating plus primer is mandatory. Decorative anodizing gives large colour variation and is not recommended for cosmetic parts.
2A20 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, forms dispersed Al2Cu (θ') | 5.8 – 6.8 | 6.3 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Tirefines as-cast grain structure | 0.07 – 0.16 | 0.1 |
| Zrsuppresses recrystallization, improves heat resistance | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.15 |
| Cdcharacteristic microalloy; enhances aging (optional in some standards) | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Vcommon microaddition in heat-resistant Al-Cu alloys | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Mgimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Others (each/total)each ≤0.05, total ≤0.15 | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2A20-T6 — frequently asked
What is 2A20-T6 used for?
2A20-T6 is typically used for aerospace structural parts, weight-critical airframe assemblies, welded structural sections, heat-exposed structural panels, frames, stringers and ribs and machined structural brackets. In short: low-density heat-resistant 2000 series; weldable Al-Cu grade; weight-critical aerospace alloy.
What is the yield strength of 2A20-T6?
2A20-T6 has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 73% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 2A20-T6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 67% of aluminum grades). Cuts well in T6 with good chip breaking; use HSS or carbide tooling with a large rake angle and ample coolant. Copper-bearing phases promote built-up edge, so keep edges sharp.
Can 2A20-T6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (58/100). Among the fusion-weldable 2000-series alloys: TIG/MIG with a high-copper filler such as ER2319. Control heat input and re-solution treat and age after welding to restore joint strength.
What surface finishes work on 2A20-T6?
Corrosion resistance is poor, so clad sheet, chromic or sulfuric anodize, or conversion coating plus primer is mandatory. Decorative anodizing gives large colour variation and is not recommended for cosmetic parts.
Can 2A20-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form in the O or T4 condition; in T6 the bend radius must be at least 3 t. Hot forming and forging are carried out at about 400–450 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2A20-T6?
2A20-T6 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 2A20-T6 and 2A20-O?
T6 is the default condition — standard supply state for heat-resistant load-bearing parts: solution treated and artificially aged for peak room- and mid-temperature strength to 250 °C at 9% elongation. O: pick the annealed soft state for cold forming, deep working or stress-free machining; re-solution treat and age after forming, since tensile is only 180 MPa. Yield strength is 285 MPa in T6 versus 90 MPa in O.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.