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2000 Series Aluminum

The 2000 series is alloyed with copper (typically 4–6 %) and heat-treated to strengths approaching mild steel, with the best fatigue performance of any aluminum family. The copper also costs it corrosion resistance — sheet is usually clad with pure aluminum (Alclad) — and makes fusion welding impractical for structural use. It is the original aircraft alloy family and still the standard for fatigue-loaded skins, spars and fittings.

Popular 2000 series grades

Compare in the explorer
GradeYield, MPaTensile, MPaDensity, g/cm³MachinabilityWeldabilityBest for
20243454832.78Very goodPoorFatigue-critical aircraft skins and structure
21244404902.78Very goodPoorThick aerospace plate, high fracture toughness
20144144832.8Very goodPoorHigh-strength forgings and machined parts
22193934762.84GoodExcellentWeldable; cryogenic tanks
20112963792.83ExcellentNot recommendedFree-machining screw-machine parts
26183724402.76GoodPoorForged pistons; strength to 250 °C
20172764272.79Very goodPoorRivets and legacy aircraft hardware

All 65 2000 series grades

Choose the 2000 series for

Fatigue-loaded aircraft skins, spars and fittings; parts that must keep strength to about 250 °C (2618, 2219); high-volume screw-machine work (2011); anything a drawing calls out as 2024-T3 or 2124-T851.

Look elsewhere when

The part will be welded or sit bare in salt spray — 2000 series is generally not fusion-welded and pits without cladding or coating. For a machined bracket that is not fatigue-critical, 7075-T6 is stronger and 6061-T6 costs a third as much.

Yield strength against elongation at break, 2000 series among every aluminum grade

No materials in view have both of these properties.

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2000 series by application

Aircraft primary structure
2024-T3 sheet (Alclad) for skins and 2024-T351 plate for ribs and frames; 2124-T851 when the plate is thick and damage tolerance is specified.
Elevated-temperature parts
2618-T61 for forged pistons and compressor wheels, 2219-T87 for tanks and structure that see both cryogenic and elevated temperatures.
High-volume turned parts
2011-T3 machines to the best chip and finish of any aluminum — fittings, connector bodies, bushings. Move to 6262-T9 when corrosion resistance or anodizing quality matters.
Weight-critical Al-Li structure
2195, 2099 and 2060 are the current aluminum-lithium grades: 3–5 % lighter and stiffer than 2024, used in launch vehicles and new airframes.

Working with the 2000 series

Machining
Hard, strong and clean-cutting — 2024-T3 and 2014-T6 hold tight tolerances and fine finishes; 2011-T3 is the free-machining benchmark. Residual stress in thick plate moves after heavy pocketing: use stress-relieved T351 / T851 stock.
Welding
Treat 2024, 2014 and 2124 as non-weldable for structural use: hot cracking and a soft, corrosion-prone weld zone. 2219 is the exception, weldable with 2319 filler. Design 2000 series parts as one machined piece or fasten them.
Corrosion protection
Bare 2000 series pits and exfoliates. Buy sheet as Alclad, or chem-film (MIL-DTL-5541) then prime; anodize comes out darker and less uniform than on 6061, so avoid it for cosmetic surfaces.
Heat treatment
T3 / T4 are naturally aged and formable; T6 / T8 are artificially aged and stronger. Forming after T6 cracks — form in W or T3, then age. FabDigit machines from stock in the specified temper rather than heat-treating finished parts.

Other aluminum series

2000 Series Aluminum — frequently asked

What is 2000 series aluminum?

The 2000 series is alloyed with copper (typically 4–6 %) and heat-treated to strengths approaching mild steel, with the best fatigue performance of any aluminum family. The copper also costs it corrosion resistance — sheet is usually clad with pure aluminum (Alclad) — and makes fusion welding impractical for structural use. It is the original aircraft alloy family and still the standard for fatigue-loaded skins, spars and fittings.

Which grade of 2000 series aluminum should I use?

2024-T3 for fatigue-critical skins and structure; 2124-T851 for thick plate with better fracture toughness. 2014-T6 where higher strength matters more than fatigue. 2219 is the one 2000-series grade that welds, used for cryogenic tanks. 2011 is the free-machining grade for high-volume screw-machine parts, and 2618 holds its strength to about 250 °C for forged pistons and compressor wheels. For a machined bracket that is not fatigue-critical, 7075-T6 is usually stronger and 6061-T6 cheaper.

Which grade of 2000 series aluminum is the strongest?

2095 has the highest yield strength in the series at 610 MPa; 2055 follows at 600 MPa. Values are for each grade's default condition.

Which grade of 2000 series aluminum is easiest to machine?

2011 (machinability excellent, 100/100), then 2011A (99/100).

Is 2000 series aluminum heat-treatable?

Yes. These grades gain their strength from heat treatment; the conditions and their properties are listed on each grade page.

What is the difference between 2024 and 7075?

7075-T6 is about 30 % stronger (yield ≈ 500 vs 345 MPa) and is the choice for statically loaded fittings; 2024-T3 tolerates fatigue and crack growth better and is the choice for skins and structure that flex every flight. Neither welds; 2024 is usually cheaper.

Can 2024 aluminum be anodized?

Yes, but the copper makes the coating darker, softer and less uniform than on 6061 or 5052. Chromic or Type II anodize is used for corrosion protection under primer; for a cosmetic anodized part choose a 5000 or 6000 series grade.