T4
Solution treated at about 500 °C, quenched and naturally aged at room temperature. Standard for cold-finished bar and rivet wire.
Aerospace bar & rod · 2xxx series
2017A Aerospace Aluminium Bar & Rod
2017A is the original "duralumin" type alloy: an aluminium-copper-magnesium grade supplied naturally aged in T4 or stress-relieved T451, with about 400 – 430 MPa tensile strength and excellent machinability. It is widely used for precision turned and milled parts, fasteners and fittings in aircraft, defence and mechanical engineering. Metline supplies 2017A and 2017 bar and rod in round, square, hexagon and flat sections, certified to AMS, ASTM and EN standards, worldwide.
- Alloy
- 2017A / 2017 (Al-Cu-Mg)
- Tempers
- T4, T451 (T3 on request)
- Diameter
- about 3 – 420 mm
- Standards
- AMS 4118 · ASTM B211 · EN 754-2
What is 2017A aluminium bar?
2017A (EN AW-2017A, AlCu4MgSi(A)) is a heat-treatable aluminium alloy with about 4 % copper and 0.4 – 1.0 % each of magnesium and manganese. Its ancestor, the duralumin developed in Germany before the First World War, was the first high-strength aluminium alloy used in aircraft structure.
Today 2017A is used mainly as bar and rod, not as sheet. It is supplied in the naturally aged T4 condition, or as T451 where the bar has been stretched after quenching to relieve internal stresses. In that state it offers strength comparable to 6082-T6 with better machinability, and it is a favourite in European machine shops for precision parts, hydraulic fittings and screw-machine work. The US designation 2017 is very similar, with a slightly narrower magnesium range.
In aerospace, 2017 and 2017A have largely been replaced by 2024 for primary structure, but they remain in service in fittings, fasteners, ground equipment and rivets (2017-T4 is the "D" rivet). Their main limitation is corrosion resistance: like other copper-bearing alloys, parts need anodising or another protective finish, and the alloy is not suited to fusion welding.
2017A and 2017 composition (wt %)
| Element | 2017A (EN AW-2017A) | 2017 (AA / ASTM) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 max | 0.7 max |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.10 max | 0.10 max |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.25 max | 0.25 max |
| Titanium (Ti) | Ti + Zr 0.25 max | 0.15 max |
| Others, each / total | 0.05 / 0.15 | 0.05 / 0.15 |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | Remainder |
Mechanical properties of 2017A T4 / T451 bar
Typical values show what the material normally achieves; specified minimums are what the standard guarantees. EN 754-2 (drawn bar) and EN 755-2 (extruded bar) give minimums that vary with diameter; for common sizes they are around 380 – 400 MPa tensile and 250 – 270 MPa yield with 8 – 12 % elongation.
| Condition | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 / 2017A-O (annealed) | ~180 MPa / 26 ksi | ~70 MPa / 10 ksi | ~22 % | ~45 HB |
| 2017 / 2017A-T4, T451, typical | ~425 MPa / 62 ksi | ~275 MPa / 40 ksi | ~15 – 22 % | ~105 – 110 HB |
| 2017A-T4 / T451, EN minimum (typical diameters) | 380 – 400 MPa | 250 – 270 MPa | 8 – 12 % | — |
Some product listings quote 2017A-T4 at over 500 MPa and T451 at over 600 MPa. Those figures are not achievable for this alloy and should not be used in design.
Physical properties (T4)
- Density
- 2.79 g/cm³
- Modulus of elasticity
- about 72 GPa
- Shear strength
- about 260 MPa
- Fatigue strength (5×10⁸ cycles)
- about 125 MPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 134 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity
- about 34 % IACS
- Melting range
- about 513 – 640 °C
T4, T451 and other tempers
T451
As T4, plus stretching of 1 – 3 % after quenching to relieve residual stress. Preferred for larger bar that will be heavily machined.
T3 / T3510
Solution treated, cold worked and naturally aged; offered for some drawn and extruded products.
O
Annealed for forming; parts are then re-heat-treated to T4 (reported as T42).
T6 (by request)
2017A is not usually artificially aged; T6 gives little strength gain and lower toughness, so most standards cover only T4 and T451.
Natural ageing
Freshly quenched material is soft for a short time and hardens over several days, which is why rivets are sometimes driven straight after quenching.
Standards and international equivalents
Bar and rod specifications
- AMS 4118
- 2017-T4 rolled or cold-finished bar, rod and wire
- AMS-QQ-A-225/5
- 2017 bar, rod and wire (former QQ-A-225/5)
- ASTM B211 / ASTM B221
- Cold-finished and extruded bar and rod
- ASTM B316
- Rivet and cold-heading wire and rod
- EN 754-2 / EN 755-2
- Drawn and extruded EN AW-2017A bar: mechanical properties
| System | Designation |
|---|---|
| European (EN) | EN AW-2017A / AlCu4MgSi(A) |
| German Werkstoff / DIN | 3.1325 / AlCuMg1 |
| UNS (2017) | A92017 |
| France (old NF) | AU4G |
| Japan (JIS) | A2017 |
| ISO | AlCu4MgSi |
| China (GB) | 2A11 (close equivalent) |
Sizes and weights
Supply range
- Extruded round bar
- about 3 – 420 mm diameter
- Cold-finished (drawn) round bar
- about 3 – 100 mm, closer tolerances
- Square bar
- about 6 – 150 mm
- Hexagon and flat bar
- Common sizes and to order
- Length
- 3 m or 6 m standard; random lengths or cut pieces
Popular metric diameters run in 1 mm steps from 5 to 40 mm, then 42, 45, 50, 55, 60 mm and upward in 5 or 10 mm steps.
2017A round bar weighs about 0.00219 × d² kg per metre (d in mm, density 2.79 g/cm³). Use the bar weight calculator for other sections.
| Diameter (mm) | kg per metre | 3 m bar (kg) | 6 m bar (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0.079 | 0.24 | 0.47 |
| 10 | 0.219 | 0.66 | 1.31 |
| 12 | 0.316 | 0.95 | 1.89 |
| 16 | 0.561 | 1.68 | 3.37 |
| 20 | 0.877 | 2.63 | 5.26 |
| 25 | 1.37 | 4.11 | 8.22 |
| 30 | 1.97 | 5.92 | 11.83 |
| 40 | 3.51 | 10.52 | 21.04 |
| 50 | 5.48 | 16.43 | 32.87 |
| 60 | 7.89 | 23.67 | 47.33 |
| 80 | 14.02 | 42.07 | 84.14 |
| 100 | 21.91 | 65.74 | 131.48 |
| 150 | 49.30 | 147.91 | 295.82 |
| 200 | 87.65 | 262.95 | 525.90 |
| 250 | 136.95 | 410.86 | 821.72 |
| 300 | 197.21 | 591.64 | 1183.28 |
Tolerances, inspection and certification
Drawn bar is supplied to EN 754-3 (round) or ANSI H35.2 tolerances; extruded bar to EN 755-3 or ANSI H35.2. Precision-ground bar to h9 or tighter is available as a processing option. Each lot is tensile tested, and ultrasonic inspection to ASTM B594 or EN 12680 classes can be specified for critical parts.
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate with chemistry and mechanical properties
- Diameter, straightness and surface checks
- Ultrasonic inspection on request
- End marking with alloy, temper and lot number
Machining, joining and finishing
Machining
Very good. Use positive-rake carbide or HSS tools, high spindle speeds and coolant. Chips break more readily than with 6061.
Joining
Mechanical fasteners, threads and bonding. Fusion welding causes cracking and strength loss and is not recommended.
Anodising
Takes protective and hard anodising; the copper content gives a greyish tone, so it is not chosen for decorative colour.
Corrosion
Moderate to low. Protect finished parts, especially in marine or humid service.
Temperature
Naturally aged tempers lose some strength if held above about 100 – 120 °C for long periods.
Cold heading
Good in freshly quenched or annealed condition; used for rivets and pins.
Applications
- Aircraft fittings and fasteners, including 2017-T4 "D" rivets
- Hydraulic and pneumatic components: valve bodies, manifolds and fittings
- Precision turned parts on screw machines and CNC lathes
- Defence hardware and ground-support equipment
- Machine parts: gears, shafts, jigs, fixtures and moulds
- Automotive and motorsport brackets and machined components
2017A compared with 2024, 2014 and 6082
| Property | 2017A-T451 | 2024-T351 | 2014-T651 | 6082-T6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical tensile strength | ~425 MPa | ~469 MPa | ~483 MPa | ~310 – 340 MPa |
| Typical yield strength | ~275 MPa | ~324 MPa | ~414 MPa | ~260 – 300 MPa |
| Machinability | Very good | Good | Very good | Good |
| Corrosion resistance | Moderate–low | Low | Low | Good |
| Weldability | Poor | Poor | Poor | Good |
How to order 2017A bar
- SpecifyAlloy (2017A or 2017), temper (T4 or T451), shape and size, length and quantity.
- Name the standardAMS 4118, ASTM B211, EN 754-2, EN 755-2 or your customer specification.
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerance, test scope, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your port or site.
- Process and inspectBars are cut, end-marked and checked for size, straightness and surface.
- Document and shipEach lot ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate traceable to the heat and lot, plus a packing list. Material is packed in seaworthy wooden cases with moisture protection; third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
References and standards
- ASTM B211 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rolled or Cold-Finished Bar, Rod and Wire
- SAE AMS 4118 – Aluminum Alloy Bars, Rods and Wire, 2017-T4
- EN 754-2 – Cold drawn rod/bar and tube: mechanical properties
- ASTM B316 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rivet and Cold-Heading Wire and Rods
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
2017A aerospace aluminium (aluminum) bar: FAQ
What is the difference between 2017 and 2017A?
2017A is the EN designation and allows magnesium up to 1.0 % with a combined Ti + Zr limit; 2017 (US) limits magnesium to 0.8 %. Properties are very similar.
Is 2017A the same as duralumin?
2017A is the modern standardised descendant of the original duralumin alloys, and the name is still used informally for it.
What is the difference between T4 and T451?
Both are naturally aged with the same strength. T451 bar is stretched after quenching to relieve residual stress, so it distorts less during machining.
Is 2017A stronger than 6082?
Yes, typically by 20 – 30 % in tensile strength, and it machines better. 6082 has much better corrosion resistance and can be welded.
Can 2017A be welded?
Not by conventional fusion welding for structural parts. It is joined mechanically or by bonding.
What sizes of 2017A round bar are available?
From about 3 mm up to about 420 mm diameter, in drawn or extruded condition, with cut lengths on request.
Need 2017A or 2017 bar?
Send size, temper, specification and quantity, and we will reply with availability and a delivered price.
