O (annealed)
Softest condition for cold heading of rivet blanks. Rivets are then solution heat-treated by the fastener maker.
Aerospace rivet wire
2A10 Aerospace Aluminium Rivet Wire
2A10 is the high-shear rivet alloy of the Chinese GB system, used for aircraft rivets that need more strength than 2A01 (2117-type) rivets but must be driven without the refrigerated storage that 2A12 (2024-type) rivets require. Metline supplies 2A10 wire and wire rod for cold heading in O, H14 and T4, to GB/T 3190 and GB/T 3196, worldwide.
- Alloy
- 2A10 (formerly LY10)
- Tempers
- O, H14, T4
- Standards
- GB/T 3190 · GB/T 3196
- Rivet shear
- ≥ 235 – 245 MPa class
What 2A10 wire is used for
Solid rivets are still the main fastener in aircraft skins and frames. The rivet alloy has to be soft enough to upset without cracking when the tail is formed, yet strong in shear once installed. 2A10 (old designation LY10) is designed for exactly that balance at the higher end of the strength range.
Its chemistry is an aluminium-copper alloy with about 4.2 % copper and only 0.15 – 0.30 % magnesium. The low magnesium slows natural ageing, so heat-treated 2A10 rivets stay workable long enough to be driven at room temperature. That avoids the "ice-box" handling, where 2024-type rivets must be kept frozen after solution treatment and driven within a short window.
Buyers are rivet and fastener manufacturers who cold-head the wire into rivet blanks, and maintenance organisations supporting aircraft designed to GB and HB standards. 2A10 rivets are generally limited to service temperatures of about 100 °C.
2A10 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits per GB/T 3190. Some listings show 2A10 with 4.5 – 5.6 % copper and 1.2 – 2.0 % zinc; that is not the 2A10 composition and should not be used for ordering.
| Element | Limit | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (Cu) | 3.9 – 4.5 | Main strengthening element |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.30 – 0.50 | Strength and grain control |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.15 – 0.30 | Kept low to slow natural ageing and keep rivets drivable |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.25 max | Impurity |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.20 max | Impurity; low for heading quality |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.10 max | Impurity |
| Titanium (Ti) | 0.15 max | Grain refiner |
| Others each / total | 0.05 / 0.10 | |
| Aluminium | Remainder |
Properties of 2A10 rivet wire
The property that defines rivet wire is shear strength after heat treatment. GB/T 3196 sets minimum shear strength values for heat-treated 2A10 rivet wire by diameter; the figures commonly quoted are about 245 MPa for wire up to 8 mm and about 235 MPa above 8 mm. Tensile strength in the heat-treated condition is typically around 390 MPa with good elongation, which is what allows the rivet tail to upset without cracking.
| Rivet alloy (GB / AA) | Typical rivet shear strength class | Handling |
|---|---|---|
| 2A01 (≈ 2117) | ≈ 185 – 195 MPa | Driven as received |
| 2A10 | ≈ 235 – 245 MPa | Driven after heat treatment, no ice-box |
| 2B12 / 2A12 (≈ 2024) | ≈ 255 – 265 MPa and above | Ice-box storage or immediate driving |
Values are indicative classes for comparison. Certified minimums are those of the ordered standard and are reported on the test certificate.
Physical data (approximate)
- Density
- about 2.80 g/cm³
- Thermal conductivity
- roughly 140 – 150 W/m·K
- Service temperature for rivets
- normally up to about 100 °C
2A10 wire tempers
H14 / drawn
Drawn wire with controlled hardness for feeding and heading on high-speed machines, depending on the heading process.
T4
Solution heat-treated and naturally aged. The condition in which test samples demonstrate the specified shear strength.
A T6 condition is sometimes listed for 2A10 wire, but rivet wire is normally specified in O, H14 or T4. Confirm the condition with your heading and heat-treatment route.
2A10 wire sizes and finish
Supply range
- Round wire
- about 1.0 – 10 mm diameter
- Shaped wire
- flat, square or hexagon to drawing
- Tolerances
- close diameter tolerance and roundness for automatic heading
- Surface
- clean, bright, free of seams, laps and scratches that start heading cracks
- Packing
- coils or spools, wrapped and boxed for export
Rivet wire quality depends more on surface and internal soundness than on strength. Ask for upset (heading) tests and surface inspection on each lot; a seam a few hundredths of a millimetre deep can split a rivet head.
Tests to request on rivet wire
- Chemical analysisEach cast checked against GB/T 3190 limits.
- Shear testHeat-treated samples tested for double-shear strength to the governing standard.
- Upset (heading) testSamples compressed to a set ratio with no cracks on the surface.
- Dimensional checkDiameter, ovality and surface condition along the coil.
- CertificationEN 10204 3.1 certificate with lot traceability.
International comparison
| System | Closest grade | Note |
|---|---|---|
| China GB | 2A10 (LY10) | Reference alloy |
| Russia GOST | V65 (В65) | Commonly compared rivet alloy |
| Aluminum Association | No exact equivalent | 2117 is weaker; 2017 and 2024 are stronger but need different handling |
Changing rivet alloy on an airframe affects joint allowables and must be approved by the design authority.
References and standards
- GB/T 3190 – Chemical composition of wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys
- GB/T 3196 – Aluminium and aluminium alloy wire for rivets
- GB/T 16474 – Designation system for wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys
- NASM20470 / MS20470 – Rivet, solid, universal head, aluminium alloy (for comparison of US rivet alloys)
2A10 aluminium (aluminum) rivet wire: FAQ
What is 2A10 aluminium used for?
Mainly for high-strength aircraft rivets. The wire is cold headed into rivet blanks, heat-treated and driven, giving more shear strength than 2A01 (2117-type) rivets.
Do 2A10 rivets need ice-box storage?
No. The low magnesium content slows natural ageing, so heat-treated 2A10 rivets can be driven at room temperature without the refrigeration needed for 2024-type rivets.
What is the copper content of 2A10?
3.9 – 4.5 % copper, with 0.30 – 0.50 % manganese and 0.15 – 0.30 % magnesium, per GB/T 3190.
Is there a US equivalent to 2A10?
There is no exact Aluminum Association equivalent. It sits between 2117 and 2024 rivet alloys in strength; the Russian V65 alloy is the closest comparison.
What diameters can be supplied?
Round wire from about 1 mm to 10 mm, plus shaped wire to drawing, in coils or spools.
Heading rivets from 2A10?
Send the diameter, temper, quantity and test requirements. We will confirm supply and certification.
