Aluminium 2024 Alloy – Composition, Properties, and Uses
Aluminum 2024 is a popular, well-known alloy for its many advantageous properties. Its composition, chemical properties, mechanical properties, physical properties, corrosion resistance, heat resistance and heat treatment are all important factors to consider when selecting aluminium 2024 for your applications. Let’s examine the many uses and benefits of this aluminum alloy.
Aluminium 2024 Composition
Aluminum alloy 2024 is an alloy made up primarily of aluminium (90% to 99%), copper (1% to 6%), iron (0.5% to 1%) and magnesium (0.5%). It may also contain other trace elements such as zinc, manganese, chromium and titanium.
Element | Minimum % | Maximum % |
---|---|---|
Silicon | No Min | 0.5 |
Iron | No Min | 0.5 |
Copper | 3.8 | 4.9 |
Manganese | 0.5 | 0.6 |
Magnesium | 1.2 | 1.8 |
Chromium | No Min | 0.1 |
Zinc | No Min | 0.25 |
Titanium | No Min | 0.15 |
Other Elements | No Min | 0.05 each 0.15 in total |
Aluminium 2024 Chemical Properties
When exposed to air or moisture, aluminium 2024 forms an oxide film which inhibits further oxidation and protects the metal from corrosion. This oxide film is electrically insulating and protects against most acids and alkalis.
Aluminium 2024 Mechanical Properties
Grade 2024 has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, which makes it ideal for structural applications where weight savings are critical. It also offers good fatigue strength, excellent formability and weldability characteristics.
Property | 2024-T3 | 2024-T4, T351 | 2024-T851 |
---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength | 483 MPa | 70000 psi | 469 MPa | 68000 psi | >=455 MPa | 66000 psi |
Yield Strength | 345 MPa | 50000 psi | 324 MPa | 47000 psi | >=400 MPa | 58000 psi |
Modulus of Elasticity | 73.1 GPa| 10600 ksi | 73.1 GPa| 10600 ksi | 72.4 GPa | 10500 ksi |
Aluminium 2024 Physical Properties
Aluminium 2024 has high thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity, making it a preferred material in electronics applications such as heat sinks or shielding components. It also has excellent machinability allowing for the easy fabrication of complex parts with tight tolerances.
Property | 2024-T3 | 2024-T4, T351 | 2024-T851 |
---|---|---|---|
Density | 2.78 g/cc | 0.100 lb/in³ | 2.78 g/cc | 0.100 lb/in³ | 2.78 g/cc | 0.100 lb/in³ |
Aluminium 2024 Thermal Properties
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion @ 20.0 – 100 °C Temp | 23.2 µm/m-°C | 12.9 µin/in-°F | 23.2 µm/m-°C | 12.9 µin/in-°F | 23.2 µm/m-°C | 12.9 µin/in-°F |
Thermal Conductivity | 121 W/m-K | 840 BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F | 121 W/m-K | 840 BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F | 151 W/m-K | 1050 BTU-in/hr-ft²-°F |
Aluminium 2024 Uses
Grade 2024 is an incredibly strong, lightweight and heat-treatable alloy. Its strength and stiffness make it an ideal material for aerospace and military applications. It’s also often found in bicycles, boats and sailplanes for its strength-to-weight ratio and in tools and moulds due to its machinability and excellent wear resistance. Additionally, the aluminum 2024 alloy can be used in various types of tankage, pressure vessels and cryogenic applications that require improved resistance to creep deformation at low temperatures. Considering all these properties and uses, Aluminium 2024 has earned a reputation as one of the most versatile aluminum alloys available today.
Corrosion Resistance
Alloy 2024 has excellent corrosion resistance due to its protective oxide film, which prevents further oxidation of the metal surface. This makes it ideal for use in salt water environments or other harsh conditions where corrosion resistance is critical.
Heat Resistance
Aluminum 2024 can withstand temperatures up to 350°C without undergoing any significant deterioration in strength or ductility, making it suitable for use in high-temperature applications such as exhaust systems or engine components.
Heat Treatment
Aluminum2024 can be easily heat treated by either solution treating or precipitation hardening methods depending upon the desired mechanical properties required in the finished product.
Machining
Aluminum2024 can be machined readily using conventional CNC equipment with standard cutting tools such as HSS drills, carbide tipped drills, taps etc. It can be machined into intricate shapes using conventional machining techniques without difficulty.
Welding
Aluminium 2042 can be welded using TIG welding techniques with filler metals containing silicon, magnesium or zinc alloys and MIG welding with filler metals containing silicon, magnesium or zinc alloys. However, caution should be taken while welding aluminum 2042 since excessive heat input may cause cracking during cooling.
Conclusion
Aluminium 2024’s versatility makes it one of the most widely used aluminum alloys available today. From structural components requiring high strength-to-weight ratios to electronic components requiring electrical conductivity, aluminium 2024 can easily meet virtually any application requirement. Its excellent corrosion resistance and heat resistance make it suitable for use in even the harshest environments where other materials may fail prematurely due to exposure to extreme temperatures and corrosive agents. With its combination of desirable mechanical properties, easy machinability, and weldability, aluminium 2024 is a versatile alloy that deserves a spot on every engineer’s list of go-to materials when selecting materials for their projects.
Meet Bhavesh, a seasoned blogger with a wealth of knowledge and experience. From metal products manufacturing to retail, Bhavesh has a diverse background in various industries and is dedicated to sharing his insights and expertise with readers.