Aluminum 2A50
GB 2A50
2A50 (LD5) is an Al-Cu-Si-Mg die-forging alloy of the GB 2000-series family, offered in O, H112, T4, T6, T62 and T651 and comparable to 2014.
Reference datasheet — 2A50 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
2A50 tempers and conditions
2A50 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 deep forming, straightening or re-machining before heat treatment. | 95 | 180 | 20 | 45 HB | 50 % IACS |
Strain hardened from hot working only | Stock condition of hot-forged or extruded semi-product supplied for later solution treatment. | 160 | 260 | 14 | 70 HB | 47 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose when moderate strength with the best ductility after quenching is needed, or for forming before final ageing. | 200 | 320 | 18 | 75 HB | 34 % IACS |
T6, heat treated by the user | Use when parts are heat treated after forming/welding from O or H112 stock; properties equivalent to T6. | 300 | 395 | 11 | 98 HB | 40 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard delivery condition for 2A50 forgings — peak strength and hardness for structural parts. | 310 | 400 | 12 | 100 HB | 40 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Pick for large forgings or plate that must stay dimensionally stable during heavy machining. | 315 | 400 | 11 | 100 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is 2A50?
2A50 (LD5) is an Al-Cu-Si-Mg die-forging alloy of the GB 2000-series family, offered in O, H112, T4, T6, T62 and T651 and comparable to 2014. It is chosen for complex high-strength forgings: the default aged condition gives 400 MPa tensile, 310 MPa yield, 12% elongation, 100 HB and 165 W/m·K, with good machinability (70). Limits are poor fusion weldability, low formability (30) and corrosion resistance (35), and a service ceiling near 150 °C. 2014 is the direct alternative; use 2A70 or 2A80 if the part runs hotter. 2A50 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F). 2A50 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is 2A50 used for?
- Die-forged engine brackets
- Forged wheel hubs
- Pump and gearbox housings
- Complex structural forgings
- Forged levers and control arms
- Machined fittings from forged blanks
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 310 MPa (45 ksi), better than 78% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
2A50 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2A50-T6; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2A50 has a density of 2.75 g/cm³ (0.0994 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of aluminum grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F).
Mechanical12
2A50 has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
2A50 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.5 µm/m·K (12.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2A50 conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 72% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2A50 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
2A50's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (30/100).
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. 2A50 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2A50
Is 2A50 easy to machine?
Machines very well in T4/T6 with sharp carbide tooling, high speeds and flood coolant; gummy and prone to built-up edge in the O temper.
Can 2A50 be welded?
Poor fusion weldability (hot cracking, loss of aged strength) — join by riveting, bolting or friction/resistance welding rather than TIG/MIG.
Can 2A50 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forgeability at 420–470 °C, which is why it is a preferred die-forging alloy; cold forming should be done in O or T4 only.
2A50 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 | 0.7 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Cu | 1.8 – 2.6 | 2.2 |
| Mg | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.7 | |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Niimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Tigrain refiner / impurity | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2A50?
Chromate/phosphate conversion coating, hard anodizing or primer+paint for corrosion protection; clear decorative anodizing gives an uneven grey tone due to Cu and Si.
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 2A50 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- LD5
How much does 2A50 cost?
2A50 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.
2A50 — frequently asked
What is 2A50 used for?
2A50 is typically used for die-forged engine brackets, forged wheel hubs, pump and gearbox housings, complex structural forgings, forged levers and control arms and machined fittings from forged blanks. In short: preferred 2000-series die-forging alloy; 2014-class strength; complex shapes hot forged.
What is the yield strength of 2A50?
2A50 has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — stronger than 78% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2A50 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines very well in T4/T6 with sharp carbide tooling, high speeds and flood coolant; gummy and prone to built-up edge in the O temper.
Can 2A50 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor fusion weldability (hot cracking, loss of aged strength) — join by riveting, bolting or friction/resistance welding rather than TIG/MIG.
What surface finishes work on 2A50?
Chromate/phosphate conversion coating, hard anodizing or primer+paint for corrosion protection; clear decorative anodizing gives an uneven grey tone due to Cu and Si.
Can 2A50 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent hot forgeability at 420–470 °C, which is why it is a preferred die-forging alloy; cold forming should be done in O or T4 only.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2A50?
2A50 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 2A50-T6 and 2A50-O?
T6 is the default condition — standard delivery condition for 2A50 forgings — peak strength and hardness for structural parts. O: softest condition for deep forming, straightening or re-machining before heat treatment. Yield strength is 310 MPa in T6 versus 95 MPa in O.
How much does 2A50 cost?
2A50 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 (2014 alloy data) — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS-typical values for 2014 forgings — 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.