Cold heading
Head from O or H13; solution treat and quench; drive or use promptly as natural ageing hardens the alloy.
Wire guide
2017A Aluminium Wire Rod for Fasteners
2017A is the European form of the classic 2017 duralumin alloy, designated EN AW-2017A or AlCu4MgSi(A). As wire rod in T4, H13 or H18 from about 1.6 to 10 mm, it is used for solid rivets, cold-headed screws and turned fasteners that need roughly 380 MPa tensile strength. This guide sets out the correct composition, properties and buying checks.
- Designation
- EN AW-2017A · AlCu4MgSi(A)
- Tempers
- T4 · H13 · H18
- Diameter
- 1.6 – 10 mm
- Standard
- EN 1301 · EN 573-3
What is 2017A?
2017A is registered as a European variant of 2017. It shares the same copper level, about 4 %, so it behaves almost identically: heat-treatable, strong in T4 and easy to cold head when soft.
The differences are small but matter on certificates. 2017A allows magnesium up to 1.0 % (2017 stops at 0.8 %) and uses a combined zirconium plus titanium limit. In Europe it has largely replaced 2017 for wire, bar and fastener stock, and it is the alloy behind many EN-standard solid rivets and cold-formed fasteners.
Some datasheets in circulation list 2017A with only 0.5 – 0.9 % copper. That is incorrect: 2017A contains 3.5 – 4.5 % copper, like 2017. A low-copper material would not reach 2017A strength.
2017A chemical composition (EN 573-3, wt %)
| Element | 2017A | 2017 (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 3.5 – 4.5 | 3.5 – 4.5 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.40 – 1.0 | 0.40 – 0.8 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40 – 1.0 | 0.40 – 1.0 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20 – 0.8 | 0.20 – 0.8 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.7 | ≤ 0.7 |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≤ 0.10 | ≤ 0.10 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.25 | ≤ 0.25 |
| Zirconium + Titanium | ≤ 0.25 | Ti ≤ 0.15 |
| Others each / total | ≤ 0.05 / 0.15 | ≤ 0.05 / 0.15 |
| Aluminium | Remainder | Remainder |
Properties by temper
| Temper | Condition | Tensile Rm | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| O | Annealed | low, for heavy heading | Heat treated to T4 after forming |
| H13 | Lightly drawn | about 210 – 300 MPa | Standard heading supply temper; straight, feeds well |
| H18 | Hard drawn | about 315 MPa minimum | For straight wire, pins and parts used without heat treatment |
| T4 | Solution treated, naturally aged | ≥ 380 MPa (typical about 400 – 420 MPa) | Yield typically about 250 – 270 MPa |
Exact guaranteed values for each diameter band are in EN 1301-2 (drawn wire) or EN 754-2 (drawn bar). Request the values from the standard on your order rather than a generic datasheet.
Physical properties
- Density
- about 2.79 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 72 GPa
- Thermal conductivity (T4)
- about 130 – 140 W/m·K
Diameter tolerances and surface
EN 1301-3 sets the standard tolerances for drawn wire. Many fastener makers also order to tolerance classes like the ones below, which are widely used for rivet wire.
| Diameter (mm) | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 1.6 | +0 / −0.015 | ±0.015 | ±0.015 | +0 / −0.04 |
| > 1.6 – 4.0 | +0 / −0.025 | +0.025 / −0.015 | ±0.025 | +0 / −0.05 |
| > 4.0 – 6.0 | +0 / −0.030 | ±0.025 | ±0.040 | +0 / −0.08 |
| > 6.0 – 10.0 | +0 / −0.040 | +0.050 / −0.025 | ±0.060 | +0 / −0.12 |
- No cracks, laps, blisters, pressed-in particles or corrosion
- Scratches allowed only within half the minus tolerance
- Straightness and coil cast to suit the header feed
Heading, joining and corrosion protection
Machining
In T4 or H18 it machines well into turned screws and pins, with better chip control than soft alloys.
Joining
Not suited to fusion welding because of hot cracking. Join by riveting, bolting or bonding.
Corrosion
Copper lowers corrosion resistance. Anodise or conversion coat fasteners, and install with sealant in damp service.
Applications
- Solid rivets: structural rivets for aircraft, rail vehicles and truck bodies built to EN standards
- Cold-headed screws and bolts: light, strong fasteners for machinery and transport
- Turned pins and fittings: machined from H18 or T4 rod
- Sports and leisure equipment: small high-strength fasteners where weight matters
How to order
- Alloy and supply temperFor example 2017A in O, H13/H14 or T4, and the temper the finished rivet must reach.
- StandardASTM B316, EN 1301, GB/T 3195, AMS or your own specification, with the edition you work to.
- Diameter and toleranceNominal diameter and tolerance class, plus coil or cut-length form and coil weight.
- TestsShear strength, upsetting (heading) test, tensile, surface and dimensional checks to be shown on the certificate.
- DeliveryQuantity, packing (wrapped coils in wooden cases or on pallets), EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms and destination.
References and standards
- EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
- EN 1301-2 – Drawn wire: mechanical properties
- EN 1301-3 – Drawn wire: tolerances on dimensions
- ASTM B316/B316M – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rivet and Cold-Heading Wire and Rods
2017A aluminium (aluminum) fastener wire: FAQ
What is the difference between 2017 and 2017A?
2017A allows up to 1.0 % magnesium (2017: 0.8 %) and limits zirconium plus titanium together to 0.25 %. Copper, manganese and silicon ranges are the same, so properties are very similar.
How much copper does 2017A contain?
3.5 – 4.5 %. Any certificate showing under 1 % copper is not 2017A.
Which temper should I buy for cold heading?
H13 for most headers, or O for severe upsets. The headed parts are then solution treated to T4.
Can 2017A fasteners be welded?
No, fusion welding is not recommended because of hot cracking. 2017A parts are joined mechanically.
Do you supply 2017A wire with EN 10204 3.1 certificates?
Yes. Each lot can be supplied with a 3.1 mill certificate showing chemistry and mechanical results.
Need 2017A fastener wire?
Send the temper, diameter range and quantity. Metline will confirm availability and certification for delivery worldwide.
