Aluminum 2A90-T4
Temper
GB 2A90
T4 = solution heat treated and naturally aged
Choose solution heat treated and naturally aged stock as the intermediate state when parts must still be formed or straightened after quenching and are artificially aged afterwards.
Values for the T4 condition
Other 2A90 tempers and conditions
2A90 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at 2A90.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Use the annealed state for forging blanks or wherever maximum plasticity (18% elongation, 60 HB) is required before re-solution treating and ageing to final strength. | 90 | 180 | 18 | 60 HB | 45 % IACS |
T4This page Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Choose solution heat treated and naturally aged stock as the intermediate state when parts must still be formed or straightened after quenching and are artificially aged afterwards. | 200 | 340 | 15 | 95 HB | 32 % IACS |
T6Default Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Specify solution heat treated and artificially aged for finished parts needing the best strength and thermal stability at room temperature and 150–250 °C; elongation falls to 10%. | 300 | 410 | 10 | 120 HB | 37 % IACS |
What is 2A90-T4?
2A90-T4 is 2A90 in the T4 temper — choose solution heat treated and naturally aged stock as the intermediate state when parts must still be formed or straightened after quenching and are artificially aged afterwards. 2A90-T4 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi). 2A90-T4 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% 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 — 15%, better than 82% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 28/100, worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 22/100, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
2A90-T4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2A90-T4; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 2A90 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
2A90-T4 has a density of 2.8 g/cm³ (0.101 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of aluminum grades. It melts at 510°C (950 °F).
Mechanical15
2A90-T4 has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 74 GPa (10.7 Msi).
Thermal6
2A90-T4 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 65% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 21.8 µm/m·K (12.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2A90-T4 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (28/100), worse than 99% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2A90-T4 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability7
2A90-T4's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (22/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 2A90-T4
Is 2A90 easy to machine?
Cutting in T6 is good with clean chip breaking, but the Al-Cu-Ni hard phases wear tooling. Use PCD or diamond-coated tools, high spindle speeds and plenty of emulsion coolant.
Can 2A90 be welded?
TIG and MIG welding show a strong hot-cracking tendency and soften the joint, so the alloy is generally not fusion welded. Use bolting, riveting, or friction and resistance welding, with re-solution treatment and ageing afterwards where required.
Can 2A90 be formed, bent or molded?
Suited to hot forging and hot extrusion at 380–460 °C; the temperature range is narrow and needs tight control. Cold bending and cold heading in T6 are poor, so cold form in O or T4.
What surface finishes work on 2A90?
Sulfuric or hard anodizing gives a dark grey film; for cosmetic parts use conversion coating plus primer and paint. In marine environments the high-copper base needs full coating or alclad protection.
2A90 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 | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Feforms heat-resistant phase with Ni | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Cu | 3.5 – 4.5 | 4 |
| Mnimpurity limit | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Mg | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Nimain heat-resistance strengthening element | 1.8 – 2.3 | 2 |
| Znimpurity limit | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Tigrain refiner | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Others (each)individual other element | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total of other elements | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2A90-T4 — frequently asked
What is 2A90-T4 used for?
2A90-T4 is typically used for engine forgings, high-temperature structural parts, hot-extruded sections for engine hardware, machined turbine-adjacent fittings, forged brackets near hot sections and compressor and accessory components. In short: heat-resistant 2000-series forging alloy; strength near 200 °C; narrow forging window.
What is the yield strength of 2A90-T4?
2A90-T4 has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — stronger than 53% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 2A90-T4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades). Cutting in T6 is good with clean chip breaking, but the Al-Cu-Ni hard phases wear tooling. Use PCD or diamond-coated tools, high spindle speeds and plenty of emulsion coolant.
Can 2A90-T4 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (22/100). TIG and MIG welding show a strong hot-cracking tendency and soften the joint, so the alloy is generally not fusion welded. Use bolting, riveting, or friction and resistance welding, with re-solution treatment and ageing afterwards where required.
What surface finishes work on 2A90-T4?
Sulfuric or hard anodizing gives a dark grey film; for cosmetic parts use conversion coating plus primer and paint. In marine environments the high-copper base needs full coating or alclad protection.
Can 2A90-T4 be formed, bent or molded?
Suited to hot forging and hot extrusion at 380–460 °C; the temperature range is narrow and needs tight control. Cold bending and cold heading in T6 are poor, so cold form in O or T4.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2A90-T4?
2A90-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 2A90-T6 and 2A90-O?
T6 is the default condition — specify solution heat treated and artificially aged for finished parts needing the best strength and thermal stability at room temperature and 150–250 °C; elongation falls to 10%. O: use the annealed state for forging blanks or wherever maximum plasticity (18% elongation, 60 HB) is required before re-solution treating and ageing to final strength. Yield strength is 300 MPa in T6 versus 90 MPa in O.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.