Aluminium
Aluminium 2024-T3 / T351
Aerospace skin alloy. The original duralumin — high strength, high copper.
2024 is a Cu-Mg-Mn precipitation-hardened alloy. The original aerospace skin alloy from the 1930s, still the standard for aircraft fuselage sheet (often supplied alclad — pure-Al cladding both faces for corrosion). UTS ≥470 MPa.
Equivalent Designations
| Standard | Designation |
|---|---|
| UNS | A92024 |
| Werkstoff Nr. | 3.1354 |
| EN | EN AW-2024 |
Standards
ASTM B209 / B221 / B211AMS 4035, 4037, 4120 (sheet)AMS 4152, 4153 (extruded bar)
Chemical Composition (% by mass)
| Si | 0.50 max |
| Fe | 0.50 max |
| Cu | 3.8–4.9 |
| Mn | 0.3–0.9 |
| Mg | 1.2–1.8 |
| Cr | 0.10 max |
| Zn | 0.25 max |
| Ti | 0.15 max |
| Al | Remainder |
Mechanical Properties
| Ultimate Tensile Strength | ≥470 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥325 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥10 % |
Physical Properties
| Density | 2.78 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 502–638 °C |
Available Forms & Sizes
| Form | Size Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plate/Sheet | 0.5 mm to 100 mm thick | — |
| Round Bar | Ø6 mm to Ø150 mm | — |
Tempers Available
T3T351T4T6T81T851
Use Cases
Aircraft skins, fuselage sheets
The original aerospace skin alloy. Often supplied alclad (pure-Al cladding for corrosion resistance).
Drilling / riveting
2024 work-hardens; pre-drill at high speeds to avoid hardened chip recutting.
Design Notes
- Don't anodise as decorative — 2024 anodises grey/yellow due to copper. Use 6061 for cosmetic anodised parts.
- Avoid in marine direct-exposure — high copper content reduces corrosion resistance vs 5xxx series.