Aluminum A20X · print state
Aluminum A20X-HIP
Properties of the HIP condition, compared with the other A20X tempers.
Choose to close gas/lack-of-fusion porosity and maximise fatigue life and ductility; normally followed by T6/T7 ageing.
What is A20X-HIP?
A20X-HIP is A20X in the HIP condition — choose to close gas/lack-of-fusion porosity and maximise fatigue life and ductility; normally followed by T6/T7 ageing. A20X-HIP has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 355 MPa (51.5 ksi) — stronger than 52% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 77 GPa (11.2 Msi). A20X-HIP has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F). As Printed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HIP is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 34 MPa·√m (30.9 ksi·√in), better than 90% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 18%, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 15 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Poor heat conductor — 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
A20X-HIP properties
Typical room-temperature values for A20X-HIP — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A20X temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
A20X-HIP has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 545°C (1,013 °F).
Mechanical13
A20X-HIP has a yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 355 MPa (51.5 ksi) — stronger than 52% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 77 GPa (11.2 Msi).
Thermal6
A20X-HIP is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 120 W/m·K (69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.3 µm/m·K (12.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A20X-HIP conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A20X-HIP takes about 240 MJ of energy and emits 15 kg of CO₂ — more than 98% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability8
A20X-HIP's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A20X tempers and conditions
A20X is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A20X overview.
- As PrintedDefaultBaseline condition straight off the machine; use only for form/fit parts or before downstream HIP/heat treatment.240 MPa yield · 95 HB
- HIP+T7Highest-integrity route for fatigue- and fracture-critical flight hardware: porosity closed plus stabilised precipitation strengthening.440 MPa yield · 140 HB
- T7Preferred aerospace condition: near-T6 strength with better ductility, dimensional stability and resistance to intergranular/stress-corrosion attack.435 MPa yield · 138 HB
- T6Default structural condition when maximum strength and hardness are required and corrosion exposure is controlled by coatings.425 MPa yield · 140 HB
- HIPChoose to close gas/lack-of-fusion porosity and maximise fatigue life and ductility; normally followed by T6/T7 ageing.200 MPa yield · 87 HB
Working with A20X-HIP
Is A20X easy to machine?
Machines much like 2014/2219-T6 with sharp carbide and generous coolant, but the hard TiB₂ particles are abrasive and shorten tool life — prefer polycrystalline-diamond or coated carbide for finishing.
Can A20X be welded?
TiB₂ grain refinement gives far better hot-cracking resistance than conventional 2xxx; TIG/laser and friction-stir joining are feasible, though post-weld solution + ageing is needed to restore strength.
Can A20X be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as AM powder or premium castings, not as wrought stock; L-PBF requires tight oxygen/moisture control, pre-heated plates and 180–200 °C stress-relief before plate removal.
What surface finishes work on A20X?
Shot peening or chemical smoothing improves fatigue; use hard or sulphuric anodise plus chromate-free primer for corrosion protection — decorative anodising is unreliable due to Cu and TiB₂.
A20X 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 addition | 4.2 – 5 | 4.5 |
| Agrefines Ω/θ' precipitation, raises elevated-temperature strength | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Mgco-additive with Ag | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Tipresent largely as in-situ TiB₂ grain refiner | 1 – 2 | 1.5 |
| Bforms TiB₂ particles | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
A20X-HIP — frequently asked
What is A20X-HIP used for?
A20X-HIP is typically used for aerospace casting replacement parts, aluminium tooling and mould inserts, hot-running engine and powertrain brackets, motorsport structural components, defence hardware and mounts and pressure-tight housings. In short: castable high-strength LPBF.
What is the yield strength of A20X-HIP?
A20X-HIP has a typical yield strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) and a tensile strength of 355 MPa (51.5 ksi) — stronger than 52% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is A20X-HIP easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 72% of aluminum grades). Machines much like 2014/2219-T6 with sharp carbide and generous coolant, but the hard TiB₂ particles are abrasive and shorten tool life — prefer polycrystalline-diamond or coated carbide for finishing.
Can A20X-HIP be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). TiB₂ grain refinement gives far better hot-cracking resistance than conventional 2xxx; TIG/laser and friction-stir joining are feasible, though post-weld solution + ageing is needed to restore strength.
What surface finishes work on A20X-HIP?
Shot peening or chemical smoothing improves fatigue; use hard or sulphuric anodise plus chromate-free primer for corrosion protection — decorative anodising is unreliable due to Cu and TiB₂.
Can A20X-HIP be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as AM powder or premium castings, not as wrought stock; L-PBF requires tight oxygen/moisture control, pre-heated plates and 180–200 °C stress-relief before plate removal.
What is the maximum service temperature of A20X-HIP?
A20X-HIP 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 A20X As Printed and A20X-T7?
As Printed is the default condition — baseline condition straight off the machine; use only for form/fit parts or before downstream HIP/heat treatment. T7: preferred aerospace condition: near-T6 strength with better ductility, dimensional stability and resistance to intergranular/stress-corrosion attack. Yield strength is 240 MPa in As Printed versus 435 MPa in T7.
Can FabDigit make parts in A20X-HIP?
Yes — A20X-HIP is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- A20X™ Aluminium Alloy Powder / Casting Alloy Technical Data — Aeromet International (A20X Ltd) (2023)
- Registration Record of Aluminum Association Alloy Designations (A205.0 casting alloy) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Additive-manufactured Al-Cu-Ag-TiB₂ mechanical property compilations (L-PBF) — peer-reviewed AM literature (2023)
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.