T6
Solution heat-treated, quenched and artificially aged. The normal temper for die forgings. Also the temper recommended for re-heat-treating welded forgings.
Aerospace forgings
2219 Aerospace Aluminium Forgings
2219 forgings, from die-forged fittings to large rolled rings, are used where a forged part must be welded into a structure or must work at cryogenic or raised temperatures. Rolled rings join the domes and barrels of welded propellant tanks; hand forgings are machined into thick fittings and flanges. Metline supplies 2219 die forgings, hand forgings and rolled rings in T6, T852 and T851 to AMS 4144 and ASTM B247, certified and inspected, worldwide.
- Alloy
- 2219 (Al-Cu-Mn)
- Tempers
- T6, T852, T851, F, O
- Forms
- Die and hand forgings, rolled rings
- Standards
- AMS 4144 · ASTM B247
Why 2219 is forged for aerospace
Forging aligns the metal grain with the shape of the part and closes internal porosity, giving better fatigue life and toughness than a part machined from plate. For 2219, forging also produces the large rings and thick blocks that welded tank structures need.
The same chemistry that makes 2219 plate weldable, about 6.3 % copper with almost no magnesium, makes 2219 forgings weldable. That is unusual: 2014, 2024 and 7xxx forgings are generally not fusion welded. A forged 2219 ring can be welded between a tank dome and barrel, and a forged boss can be welded into a tank wall to carry a pipe connection.
The alloy also keeps its strength at low and high temperatures. Forged 2219 parts are used in cryogenic service down to liquid-hydrogen temperature and in parts that run warm, such as engine-area fittings and components exposed to aerodynamic heating.
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 % |
Forging tempers: T6, T852 and T851
T852
Solution heat-treated, stress relieved by about 1 – 5 % compression, then artificially aged. Used for hand forgings and rings that will be heavily machined, because compression reduces quench stresses and distortion.
T851
As above but stress relieved by stretching. Applies to some hand forgings and rolled rings under AMS 4144.
F / O
As forged or annealed, for customers who complete heat treatment themselves after machining or welding.
AMS 4144 covers 2219-T852 and T851 hand forgings up to 432 mm thick and rolled rings up to 152 mm thick at the time of heat treatment. It notes that the product may be welded in T852/T851, but that properties improve if the assembly is re-heat-treated to T6 after welding.
Mechanical properties of 2219 forgings
Forging properties depend on section size, test direction relative to grain flow and the temper. The values below are typical ranges for guidance; specified minimums by thickness and direction are given in ASTM B247 and AMS 4144 and are reported on the certificate.
| Temper | Tensile strength (typ.) | Yield strength (typ.) | Elongation (typ.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| T6 die forgings | about 400 – 415 MPa | about 260 – 290 MPa | about 8 – 10 % |
| T852 / T851 hand forgings and rings | about 400 – 425 MPa | about 300 – 345 MPa | about 6 – 10 % |
Short-transverse properties of thick hand forgings are lower than longitudinal values. Some published tables quote 2219 forging strengths of 480 MPa or more; those exceed what the standards require and should not be used for design.
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 forgings
| Document | Scope |
|---|---|
| SAE AMS 4144 | 2219-T852 / T851 hand forgings (≤ 432 mm) and rolled rings (≤ 152 mm) |
| ASTM B247 | Die forgings, hand forgings and rolled ring forgings; includes 2219 in F, T6 and T852 |
| AMS 2772 | Heat treatment of aluminium alloy raw materials |
| ASTM B594 / AMS-STD-2154 | Ultrasonic inspection of wrought aluminium products |
| SAE ARP 823 | Minimising stress-corrosion cracking in wrought aluminium forgings |
| UNS | A92219 |
| European | EN AW-2219 (AlCu6Mn) |
| Welding filler | 2319 (AWS ER2319) |
Inspection and documentation
Quality requirements
- Ultrasonic inspection
- To ASTM B594 or AMS-STD-2154 at the class specified; class A or AA for critical parts
- Mechanical tests
- Tensile tests from prolongations or sacrificial parts in the directions required
- Conductivity and hardness
- Checked to confirm heat treatment
- Grain flow
- Macro-etch examination on first articles when specified
- Certification
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate with chemistry, heat treatment records and test results
Size and weight limits for rings and hand forgings depend on the forging route and heat-treatment equipment used for each order. Send the finished-part envelope and we will confirm the forging route and the machining allowance before quoting.
Machining and welding forged 2219
Machining
T852 forgings machine with low distortion. Rough machine, allow stress to settle, then finish machine for thin-walled rings.
Welding
Weld with 2319 filler by GTAW, plasma arc or friction stir welding. Matching the forging to the plate alloy simplifies weld qualification.
Post-weld heat treatment
Re-heat-treating to T6 after welding improves joint strength, as AMS 4144 notes.
Protection
Anodise or conversion coat and prime; 2219 needs corrosion protection like other copper-rich alloys.
Typical uses
- Tank Y-rings, joint rings and adapter rings in launch vehicles
- Bosses, ports and flanges welded into propellant tanks
- Thick fittings in warm zones of airframes and engine mounts
- Rotating and structural parts needing strength across a wide temperature range
- Spacecraft structural rings and interface flanges
How to order 2219 forgings
- SpecifyForging type (die, hand or rolled ring), drawing or envelope, temper (T6, T852 or T851), quantity, specification, test locations and ultrasonic class.
- 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.
- ProcessForgings are heat treated, stress relieved, inspected and, if ordered, rough machined, then marked for traceability.
- 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 4144 – Aluminum Alloy Hand Forgings and Rolled Rings, 2219-T852 / T851
- ASTM B247 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Die Forgings, Hand Forgings, and Rolled Ring Forgings
- ASTM B594 – Ultrasonic Inspection of Aluminum-Alloy Wrought Products
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
2219 aerospace aluminium (aluminum) forgings: FAQ
What is the difference between 2219-T6 and T852 forgings?
Both are solution treated and artificially aged. T852 forgings are also compressed about 1 – 5 % after quenching to relieve stress, which reduces distortion during machining.
Can 2219 forgings be welded?
Yes. 2219 is one of the few high-strength forging alloys that can be fusion welded, using 2319 filler. Re-heat-treating to T6 after welding improves joint strength.
What sizes does AMS 4144 cover?
Hand forgings up to 432 mm (17 in) thick and rolled rings up to 152 mm (6 in) thick at the time of heat treatment.
Why are 2219 rings used in rocket tanks?
They provide thick, weldable, tough joints between tank domes, barrels and skirts, and keep their properties at cryogenic temperatures.
Do you supply ultrasonic-tested forgings?
Yes, to ASTM B594 or AMS-STD-2154 at the class on your order, with full reports.
Need 2219 forgings?
Send the drawing, temper, specification and quantity. We will confirm the forging route, inspection and certification.
