O
Annealed wire for severe cold heading. The finished rivets are then solution treated and naturally aged to T4.
Cold-heading rivet alloy
2117 T4 Aluminium for Automotive Rivets and Fasteners
2117 is an aluminium-copper-magnesium alloy made for rivets. Its great advantage is that 2117-T4 rivets can be driven straight from stock, without the refrigeration needed for stronger 2017 and 2024 rivets, while still giving useful shear strength. Metline supplies 2117 wire, rod and extruded bar for rivets and cold-headed parts to fastener makers worldwide.
- Alloy
- 2117 (Al-Cu-Mg)
- Temper
- T4 (also H13, H15 for heading)
- Forms
- Rivet wire, rod, bar
- Standards
- ASTM B316 · EN 754 · MS20470AD rivets
What is 2117 aluminium?
2117 contains about 2.6 % copper and 0.35 % magnesium: roughly half the alloy content of 2017. The lower copper keeps the alloy soft enough in the T4 temper to be upset into a rivet head at room temperature, at any time after heat treatment. Rivets made from 2117-T4 are the familiar "AD" rivets, identified by a small dimple on the head.
Stronger rivet alloys such as 2017 ("D") and 2024 ("DD") must be driven within minutes of solution treatment, or stored in a freezer to delay natural ageing. That "icebox" handling is impractical on most production lines. 2117-T4 removes the problem, which is why it is the default solid-rivet alloy in light aircraft, truck and trailer bodies, bus structures and many riveted automotive assemblies.
The alloy is supplied mainly as drawn wire and rod for cold heading, plus extruded bar for machined fasteners. Older descriptions of 2117 as an extrusion alloy for body frames, wheels or engine parts are not accurate: its strength is modest, and its value lies in cold-headed fasteners.
2117 chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Minimum | Maximum | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | — | 0.8 | Impurity |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.7 | Impurity |
| Copper (Cu) | 2.2 | 3.0 | Main strengthening element |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.20 | |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.20 | 0.50 | Assists natural ageing |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.10 | |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.25 | Impurity |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Registered Aluminum Association limits; EN AW-2117 (AlCu2,5Mg) follows the same chemistry. A variant, 2117A, is used in some aerospace specifications.
Mechanical properties of 2117
| Condition | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Shear strength | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2117-T4, typical (wire and rod) | ≈ 296 MPa / 43 ksi | ≈ 165 MPa / 24 ksi | ≈ 195 MPa / 28 ksi | ≈ 27 % |
| AD rivet, minimum design shear | — | — | ≈ 180 MPa / 26 ksi | — |
Typical values from handbook data; the 26 ksi figure is the shear strength commonly published for MS20470AD / MS20426AD rivets. Minimum properties for wire are set in ASTM B316 and depend on diameter.
Physical properties
- Density
- about 2.75 g/cm³
- Thermal conductivity
- about 155 W/m·K
- Electrical conductivity
- about 40 % IACS
- Melting range
- about 555 – 650 °C
Tempers for wire, rod and finished rivets
H13 / H15
Lightly drawn wire for heading machines; heat treated after forming.
T4
The finished-rivet condition and a common rod temper. The rivet is driven in T4 and keeps its properties.
T42
T4 achieved by the user after heat-treating O or H-temper stock, with properties verified on finished parts.
Standards and rivet specifications
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| ASTM B316 / B316M | Aluminum and aluminum-alloy rivet and cold-heading wire and rods |
| MS20470AD, MS20426AD (and NAS / NASM equivalents) | Universal-head and countersunk solid rivets in 2117-T4 |
| EN 754-2 / EN 573-3 | Drawn rod and wire properties; EN AW-2117 composition |
| ISO 209 | Composition, AlCu2,5Mg |
| JIS H4040 | A2117 bar and wire |
2117 wire and rod supply
Typical supply range
- Rivet wire
- From about 1.6 mm (1/16 in) to around 10 mm diameter, in coils
- Rod and bar
- Drawn or extruded rod for larger fasteners and machined parts
- Tempers
- O, H13, H15, T4
- Surface
- Clean, lubricated for heading; anodised rivets on request through fastener makers
- Inspection
- Diameter, tensile and shear tests, upset and grain-size checks per ASTM B316
Where 2117 rivets are used in vehicles
- Truck and trailer bodies: riveted aluminium side panels, roof sheets and frames
- Bus and coach structures: aluminium skin panels riveted to frames
- Motorsport chassis: riveted and bonded aluminium monocoques
- Specialist vehicles: ambulance, utility and defence bodies built with aircraft practice
- Assemblies and trim: riveted brackets, heat shields and housings
- Aircraft and light industry: the same AD rivets used across general aviation and sheet-metal fabrication
2117 compared with other rivet alloys
| Rivet alloy (code) | Typical shear strength | Driving condition | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 (A) | Low (~ 70 MPa) | As received | Non-structural |
| 5056 (B) | ~ 190 MPa | As received | Riveting magnesium and for corrosion resistance |
| 2117-T4 (AD) | ~ 180 – 195 MPa | As received | General structural riveting |
| 2017-T4 (D) | ~ 260 MPa | Freshly quenched or refrigerated | Higher-load joints |
| 2024-T4 (DD) | ~ 285 MPa | Freshly quenched or refrigerated | Highest-load joints |
2117 is the practical balance: nearly the shear strength of 5056 with simpler stock control than 2017 or 2024 icebox rivets.
How to order 2117
- SpecifyDiameter, temper (O, H13, H15 or T4), coil weight or bar length, quantity and the rivet specification you produce to.
- Confirm the standardASTM B316, EN 754-2 or the customer rivet standard.
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerances, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your plant or port.
- Process and inspectWire is checked for diameter, surface and mechanical properties and packed in protected coils.
- Document and shipEach lot ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate, heat or lot traceability and a packing list, in seaworthy export packing. Third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
References and standards
- ASTM B316/B316M – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rivet and Cold-Heading Wire and Rods
- EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
- NASA Technical Reports Server – NACA research memorandum on shear strength of 2117-T4 rivets
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 – Properties of Wrought Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys: 2117
2117 aluminium (aluminum) rivet alloy: frequently asked questions
What is an AD rivet?
An AD rivet is a solid rivet made from 2117-T4 aluminium, marked with a small dimple on the head. It can be driven as received, without heat treatment or refrigeration.
How strong is a 2117 rivet?
Typical shear strength of 2117-T4 is about 195 MPa (28 ksi); published minimum shear for AD rivets is about 180 MPa (26 ksi).
Why not use 2024 rivets everywhere?
2024 (DD) rivets are stronger but must be driven freshly quenched or kept refrigerated, which complicates production. 2117 is used wherever its strength is sufficient.
Is 2117 used for extruded automotive profiles?
Rarely. 2117 is a rivet and cold-heading alloy. For extruded body or chassis parts, 6xxx alloys are the normal choice.
What standard covers 2117 rivet wire?
ASTM B316 covers rivet and cold-heading wire and rod; finished rivets are made to MS, NAS or customer standards.
Does Metline supply 2117 wire worldwide?
Yes, in coils or bars with EN 10204 3.1 certificates and export packing.
Need 2117 rivet wire?
Send the diameter, temper and quantity, and our team will reply with availability and a delivered quotation.
