24 July 2021 2000 Series Aluminum Alloy
2124 Aluminum Alloy Plate
2124 aluminum alloy is an American standard aluminum alloy, equivalent to Chinese GB grade 2A12. The main alloying element of 2124 aluminum alloy is mainly copper, which is called Al-Cu-Mg hard aluminum alloy, which has high strength and good cutting performance. But the corrosion resistance is poor. It is widely used in aircraft structures (skins, skeletons, rib beams, bulkheads, etc.), rivets, missile components, truck hubs, propeller components and various other structural parts.
2124 aluminum alloy has high strength and certain heat resistance, and can be used as working parts below 150°C. At temperatures higher than 125°C, the strength of 2124 alloy is higher than that of 7075 alloy. In hot state, annealing and new quenching state, the forming performance is better, and the heat treatment strengthening effect is obvious, but the heat treatment process is strict. The corrosion resistance is poor, but it can be effectively protected by covering with pure aluminum; it is easy to produce cracks during welding, but it can be welded or riveted by special technology. It is widely used in aircraft structures, rivets, truck wheels, propeller components and various other structural parts.
Chemical Composition:
| Chemical | Weight % |
|---|---|
| Chromium | 0.1 max |
| Copper | 3.8 - 4.9 |
| Iron | 0.3 max |
| Magnesium | 1.2 - 1.8 |
| Manganese | 0.3 - 0.9 |
| Remainder Each | 0.05 max |
| Remainder Total | 0.15 max |
| Silicon | 0.2 max |
| Titanium | 0.15 max |
| Titanium + Zinc | 0.2 max |
| Zinc | 0.25 max |
Physical Properties:
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.6-2.8 g/cm3 | 0.0939-0.1011 lb/in3 |
| Melting point | 510°C | 950°F |
Mechanical Properties:
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Elastic modulus | 70-80 GPa | 10152-11603 ksi |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33 | 0.33 |
Thermal Properties:
| Properties | Conditions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| T (ºC) | Treatment | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 191 (W/mK) | 25 | O |
Machinability
The alloy is machinable by conventional means. Optimum machinability is with the alloy in the T 851 ( precipitation heat treated ) condition.
Forming
Formability of this alloy, which is supplied in plate form, is limited. Severe cold working should be avoided and as with Machinability the optimum condition for forming is the T 851 temper.
Welding
The alloy has a problem with crack sensitivity during welding. Resistance welding may be successfully used with proper weld procedure. Gas welding and arc welding should be avoided.
Heat Treatment
The alloy may be solution annealed at 920 F followed by water quench. Precipitation hardening is done at 375 F for 12 hours and air cooling - this produces the T 851 temper.
Forging
No specific data. However the alloy is forgeable.
Hot Working
No data. It may be advisable to avoid hot working because of the alloy tendency to cracking from heat input.
Cold Working
Cold working may be done, but the extent of cold working is limited as compared to other aluminum alloys.
Annealing
Annealing is done at 775 F for 2 to 3 hours followed by cooling at 50 F per hour to 500 F. Then air cool.
Aging
Aging, or precipitation hardening in fact, is done at 375 F for a time of approximately 12 hours followed by air cooling.
Tempering
Not applicable to this alloy.
Hardening
Hardening, or strengthening, is accomplished by means of precipitation hardening at 375 F for 12 hours followed by air cooling.
Other Physical Props
Electrical conductivity 38% of copper.