Bending
Bend in O or T3-type tempers where possible, then age. T8 tubes need larger bend radii and mandrel support.
Aerospace tube and pipe
2219 Aerospace Aluminium Tube and Pipe
2219 tube is chosen for aerospace fluid lines, struts and welded tubular structures that must work at cryogenic or raised temperatures, or be welded to 2219 tanks and fittings. It is supplied as drawn seamless tube, for example 2219-T8511 to AMS 4066, and as extruded seamless tube and pipe to ASTM B241. Metline supplies 2219 tube cut to length and fully certified to customers worldwide.
- Alloy
- 2219 (Al-Cu-Mn)
- Tempers
- T8511, T851, T81, T62, O
- Forms
- Drawn seamless, extruded seamless
- Standards
- AMS 4066 · ASTM B210 · B241
Where 2219 tube fits
Most aircraft hydraulic and fuel tube is 6061-T6, 2024-T3 or, for high pressure, titanium or stainless steel. 2219 tube fills a narrower but important niche: systems that are welded, that run cold enough to embrittle other materials, or that must keep strength at temperatures where 6061 and 2024 soften.
Typical cases are propellant feed and vent lines on launch vehicles, which are welded to 2219 tanks and carry liquid oxygen or hydrogen; ducting near engines; and tubular struts in spacecraft structures. Because the tube and the tank are the same alloy, welds join like to like with 2319 filler and the system has uniform thermal expansion.
Seamless tube is standard for pressure service. Drawn seamless tube gives thinner walls, tighter tolerances and a better surface; extruded seamless tube and pipe cover larger diameters and heavier walls.
2219 chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.20 | Impurity |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.30 | Impurity |
| Copper (Cu) | 5.8 | 6.8 | Main strengthening element; also gives strength at temperature |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.20 | 0.40 | Grain and recrystallisation control |
| Magnesium (Mg) | — | 0.02 | Kept very low, which is key to weldability |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.10 | Impurity |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.02 | 0.10 | Grain refiner |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.05 | 0.15 | Improves elevated-temperature strength |
| Zirconium (Zr) | 0.10 | 0.25 | Suppresses recrystallisation, refines weld structure |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder | About 91.5 – 93.8 % |
Mechanical and physical properties
| Temper | Tensile strength (typ.) | Yield strength (typ.) | Elongation (typ.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O | 172 MPa / 25 ksi | 76 MPa / 11 ksi | 18 % |
| T31 / T351 | 360 MPa / 52 ksi | 250 MPa / 36 ksi | 17 % |
| T37 | 395 MPa / 57 ksi | 315 MPa / 46 ksi | 11 % |
| T62 | 415 MPa / 60 ksi | 290 MPa / 42 ksi | 10 % |
| T81 / T851 / T8511 | 455 MPa / 66 ksi | 350 MPa / 51 ksi | 10 % |
| T87 | 475 MPa / 69 ksi | 395 MPa / 57 ksi | 10 % |
Typical values from Aluminum Association and ASM data. Specified minimums depend on product form, thickness and test direction, and are shown in the governing ASTM or AMS document and on the mill certificate.
Some published sheets list a minimum yield of 124 MPa for 2219 tube; that value corresponds to softer, non-aerospace tempers and is not representative of T8511 tube. Order to a named temper and specification, and design to its minimums.
Physical properties of 2219
- Density
- 2.84 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³)
- Modulus of elasticity
- About 73 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- About 121 W/m·K (T81, T87); about 170 W/m·K (O)
- Electrical conductivity
- About 28 – 30 % IACS (T8 tempers)
- Thermal expansion
- About 22.3 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Melting range
- About 543 – 643 °C
Specifications for 2219 tube
| Document | Scope |
|---|---|
| SAE AMS 4066 | Drawn round seamless tube, 2219-T8511 (T851 in early revisions); 12.70 mm OD and over, wall about 0.74 – 12.70 mm |
| SAE AMS 4162 | 2219-T8511 extrusions, including extruded tube up to about 76 mm least dimension |
| ASTM B210 | Drawn seamless tube, general specification |
| ASTM B241 | Seamless pipe and seamless extruded tube; 2219 in O, T31, T3511, T62, T81, T8511 and related tempers |
| ASTM B221 | Extruded tube (including structural, non-seamless tube) |
| UNS | A92219 |
| European | EN AW-2219 (AlCu6Mn) |
| Welding filler | 2319 (AWS ER2319) |
Sizes, tolerances and testing
Typical supply range
- Drawn seamless tube
- From about 12.7 mm OD, thin to medium walls, tight tolerances
- Extruded seamless tube and pipe
- Larger diameters and heavier walls; pipe schedules to ASTM B241
- Length
- Mill lengths or cut lengths
- Tolerances
- ASTM B210 / B241 and ANSI H35.2, or tighter by agreement
- Testing
- Tensile, flattening and flaring tests as specified; eddy-current or ultrasonic inspection; hydrostatic or pneumatic testing on request
- Cleanliness
- Cleaning and capping for oxygen or propellant service when specified
For cryogenic and oxygen service, cleanliness is as important as metallurgy. If tube will carry liquid oxygen, state the cleaning standard on the order so the tube is cleaned, dried and capped before packing.
Bending, welding and finishing
Welding
Orbital GTAW with 2319 filler is common for lines. Clean joint ends thoroughly to avoid porosity.
Fittings
Flared and swaged fittings work with suitable tempers; check flaring test requirements in the specification.
Protection
Anodise or conversion coat the outside; internal surfaces are cleaned to the service requirement.
Typical uses
- Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen feed, fill and vent lines
- Welded tubular struts and frames in spacecraft and launch vehicles
- Ducts and lines in warm engine-area zones
- Pressure lines welded to 2219 tank bosses and fittings
| Property | 2219-T8511 | 6061-T6 | 2024-T3 | 5083-O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical yield | about 350 MPa | about 275 MPa | about 345 MPa | about 145 MPa |
| Weldability | Good | Good | Poor | Excellent |
| Cryogenic use | Excellent | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Strength at 200 °C | Good | Fair | Fair | Low |
How to order 2219 tube
- SpecifyDrawn or extruded, OD and wall (or pipe size and schedule), temper, length, quantity, specification and any pressure, NDT or cleanliness requirements.
- Confirm the specificationWe check the order against the governing AMS, ASTM or EN document, confirm tempers, sizes, tolerances and any customer flow-down clauses, and quote on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
- ProcessTubes are cut, end-capped where required, inspected and bundled or crated for transport.
- DocumentEach lot ships with a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 showing heat or lot number, chemical analysis and mechanical test results, plus any ultrasonic or other inspection reports called for on the order.
- Pack and shipMaterial is protected against moisture and handling damage, packed in seaworthy cases or on pallets, marked for traceability and shipped by sea or air.
References and standards
- SAE AMS 4066 – Aluminum Alloy Drawn Round Seamless Tubing, 2219-T8511
- ASTM B210 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Drawn Seamless Tubes
- ASTM B241 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Seamless Pipe and Seamless Extruded Tube
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
2219 aerospace aluminium (aluminum) tube: FAQ
Which specification covers 2219 drawn seamless tube?
SAE AMS 4066 covers drawn round seamless 2219 tube in T8511 (early revisions called it T851). ASTM B210 is the general drawn-tube standard.
Is 2219 tube suitable for liquid hydrogen?
Yes. 2219 keeps its strength and toughness at liquid-hydrogen temperature and is widely used for cryogenic propellant lines.
Can 2219 tube be welded to 2219 tanks?
Yes, with 2319 filler. Matching alloys give consistent weld behaviour and thermal expansion.
What is the difference between drawn and extruded seamless tube?
Drawn tube is cold drawn after extrusion, giving thinner walls, tighter tolerances and better surface. Extruded seamless tube covers larger sizes and heavier walls.
Can you clean tube for oxygen service?
Cleaning and capping can be arranged to the standard named on your order.
Need 2219 tube?
Send size, temper, length and specification. We will confirm availability, testing and certification.
