Aluminum 2A50-T4
Temper
GB 2A50
T4 = solution heat treated and naturally aged
Choose when moderate strength with the best ductility after quenching is needed, or for forming before final ageing.
Values for the T4 condition
Other 2A50 tempers and conditions
2A50 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 2A50.
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 |
T4This page 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-T4?
2A50-T4 is 2A50 in the T4 temper — choose when moderate strength with the best ductility after quenching is needed, or for forming before final ageing. 2A50-T4 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 2A50-T4 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). T6 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T4 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 18%, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
2A50-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2A50-T4; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2A50 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2A50-T4 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-T4 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
2A50-T4 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 135 W/m·K (78 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 58% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.5 µm/m·K (12.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2A50-T4 conducts electricity at 34 % IACS, worse than 52% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2A50-T4 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-T4's machinability is good (60/100, worse than 51% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2A50-T4
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.
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.
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 | — |
2A50-T4 — frequently asked
What is 2A50-T4 used for?
2A50-T4 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-T4?
2A50-T4 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2A50-T4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, worse than 51% 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-T4 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-T4?
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-T4 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-T4?
2A50-T4 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.