Aluminium alloy 2017 2017

spore: profile
id: aluminium-2017
spore_version: 0.2
family: aluminium-alloys
name: Aluminium alloy 2017
abbreviation: '2017'
role: aircraft structural alloy and rivet alloy
category: metals
type: aluminium
summary: |
  2017 (also written 2017A, and known as Dural or duralumin in older use) is a heat-treatable wrought aluminium alloy of the Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si family, UNS A92017, with about 3.5 to 4.5 % copper. Its T4 temper (solution treated and naturally aged) has a nominal yield strength of 276 MPa and a tensile strength of 427 MPa in one supplier datasheet, and a density of 2.79 g/cm3. The supplier rates its machinability as excellent and its weldability as moderate, and its corrosion resistance as moderate. Its annealed values are 69 MPa yield and 179 MPa tensile strength, and the source does not give a flight record.
best_for: High-strength machined parts and rivets in aircraft-type structures, in the T4 temper (supplier rates machinability excellent, strength very good)
weakest_at: Weldability (only resistance welding is suitable, per the AircraftMaterials datasheet) and corrosion resistance (rated moderate by the supplier, with no test data found for this grade)
identity:
  formula: 'Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si alloy, AA 2017 / EN AW-2017A family: Cu 3.5 to 4.5, Mn 0.4 to 1, Mg 0.4 to 0.8, Si 0.2 to 0.8, Fe max 0.7, Zn max 0.25, Ti max 0.15, Cr max 0.1 wt%, Al balance (91.5 to 95.5 wt%)'
  cas: ''
  source: wiki-2017-alloy
  where: Chemical composition table of the Wikipedia 2017 aluminium alloy article (Al 91.5 to 95.5, Cu 3.5 to 4.5, Fe 0.7 max, Mn 0.4 to 1, Mg 0.4 to 0.8, Si 0.2 to 0.8, Zn 0.25 max, Ti 0.15 max, Cr 0.1 max). Cu, Mg, Mn and Si ranges also printed in the AircraftMaterials composition limits table.
  designations:
    - system: UNS
      code: A92017
      source: referansmetal-2017
      where: Designation list, UNS A92017 under Plate and Sheet and under Extruded Round Bar, Tube, Flat Bar, Wire, Profile
    - system: AA
      code: '2017'
      source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
      where: Chemical composition limits table, row Alloy 2017 USA
    - system: EN
      code: '3.1325'
      source: referansmetal-2017
      where: Designation list, WNR 3.1325
    - system: EN name
      code: EN AW-2017A
      source: totalmateria-2017a
      where: International equivalent materials table, row EN AW-2017A, standard EN
    - system: ISO
      code: AlCu4MgSi
      source: referansmetal-2017
      where: Designation list, ISO AlCu4MgSi
    - system: DIN
      code: AlCuMg1
      source: referansmetal-2017
      where: Designation list, DIN AlCuMg1
    - system: AMS
      code: '4118'
      note: Cold-finished bar, rod and wire in 2017-T4; the page says AMS 4118 replaced AMS 4110
      source: referansmetal-2017
      where: Cold Drawn row, AMS 4118 (replaced AMS 4110)
    - system: ASTM
      code: B209
      note: Plate and sheet
      source: referansmetal-2017
      where: Plate and Sheet row, ASTM B209
    - system: ASTM
      code: B221
      note: Extruded round bar, tube, flat bar, wire, profile
      source: referansmetal-2017
      where: Extruded row, ASTM B221
    - system: ASTM
      code: B211
      note: Cold-drawn round bar, tube, flat bar, wire, profile
      source: referansmetal-2017
      where: Cold Drawn row, ASTM B211
    - system: ASTM
      code: B316
      note: Bar, rod and wire specification cross-reference
      source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
      where: Specifications list, ASTM B211 and ASTM B316
tags:
  environments:
    - launch
  stresses: []
  applications:
    - structures
properties:
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, 2017 T4
    value: 2.79
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: T4 (page title AMS 4110 / AlCu4MgSi / 2017 / T4)
      form: not stated
      temperature: not stated
    method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet page
    status: ground
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: Physical Properties section, row Density
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting point, 2017 T4
    value: 510
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: T4 (page title)
      form: not stated
    method: Single value printed on a supplier datasheet page
    status: ground
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: Physical Properties section, row Melting Point
  - benchmark: melting_point
    label: Melting range, 2017 alloy
    value: 513
    value_high: 641
    bound: range
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      form: not stated
      condition_in_source: not stated
    method: Range printed in the thermal properties table of the Wikipedia article
    status: ground
    source: wiki-2017-alloy
    where: Thermal properties table, row Melting point
  - benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    label: Thermal conductivity, 2017 T4
    value: 140
    unit: W/m.K
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: T4 (page title)
      temperature: not stated
      form: not stated
    method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet page
    status: ground
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: Physical Properties section, row Thermal Conductivity
  - benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    label: Thermal conductivity, 2017
    value: 134
    unit: W/m-K
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: not stated
      condition_in_source: not stated
    method: Value printed in the thermal properties table of the Wikipedia article
    status: ground
    source: wiki-2017-alloy
    where: Thermal properties table, row Thermal conductivity
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Coefficient of thermal expansion, 2017 T4
    value: 22.9
    unit: µm/(m·°C)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: T4 (page title)
      temperature: not stated
    method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet page (printed as µm/m.°C)
    status: ground
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: Physical Properties section, row Thermal Expansion
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Coefficient of thermal expansion, 2017
    value: 23.6
    unit: µm/(m·°C)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: 68 °F as printed
      unit_in_source: μm/m-°C at 68°F
    method: Value printed in the thermal properties table of the Wikipedia article
    status: ground
    source: wiki-2017-alloy
    where: Thermal properties table, row Coefficient of thermal expansion (linear)
  - benchmark: specific_heat
    label: Specific heat capacity, 2017
    value: 0.88
    unit: J/(g·°C)
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temperature: not stated
      condition_in_source: not stated
    method: Value printed in the thermal properties table of the Wikipedia article
    status: ground
    source: wiki-2017-alloy
    where: Thermal properties table, row Specific heat capacity
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Modulus of elasticity, 2017 T4
    value: 72
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: T4 (page title)
      temperature: not stated
    method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet page
    status: ground
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: Physical Properties section, row Modulus of Elasticity
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Yield strength, 2017 T4
    value: 276
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: T4 (page title)
      form: not stated
      measure: not stated
    method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet page
    status: ground
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: Mechanical Properties section, row Yield Strength
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Ultimate tensile strength, 2017 T4
    value: 427
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: T4 (page title)
      form: not stated
    method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet page
    status: ground
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: Mechanical Properties section, row Ultimate Strength
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Elongation, 2017 T4
    value: 18
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: T4 (page title)
      form: not stated
      gauge_length: A50 mm
    method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet page
    status: ground
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: Mechanical Properties section, row Elongation A50 mm
  - benchmark: brinell_hardness
    label: Brinell hardness, 2017 T4
    value: 105
    unit: HB
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: T4 (page title)
      form: not stated
    method: Value printed on a supplier datasheet page
    status: ground
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: Mechanical Properties section, row Hardness
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Minimum yield strength, 2017 T4, thickness over 25 up to 75 mm
    value: 270
    bound: lower
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: T4 (page title)
      thickness: over 25 up to and including 75 mm
      basis: minimum delivery value
    method: Minimum value printed in the delivery table of a supplier datasheet page
    status: ground
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: DELIVERY table, row Over 25 up to & incl. 75, column Yield Strength (Min.)
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Minimum tensile strength, 2017 T4, thickness over 25 up to 75 mm
    value: 400
    bound: lower
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: T4 (page title)
      thickness: over 25 up to and including 75 mm
      basis: minimum delivery value
    method: Minimum value printed in the delivery table of a supplier datasheet page
    status: ground
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: DELIVERY table, row Over 25 up to & incl. 75, column Ultimate Strength (Min.)
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, 2017 annealed
    value: 179
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: Annealed (as printed)
      form: not stated
    method: Value printed in the mechanical properties table of the Wikipedia article
    status: ground
    source: wiki-2017-alloy
    where: Mechanical properties table, row Tensile strength, condition Annealed
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Yield strength, 2017 annealed
    value: 69
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: Annealed (as printed)
      form: not stated
    method: Value printed in the mechanical properties table of the Wikipedia article
    status: ground
    source: wiki-2017-alloy
    where: Mechanical properties table, row Yield strength, condition Annealed
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Elongation, 2017 annealed
    value: 22
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      temper: Annealed (as printed)
      gauge_length: not stated
    method: Value printed in the mechanical properties table of the Wikipedia article
    status: ground
    source: wiki-2017-alloy
    where: Mechanical properties table, row Elongation, condition Annealed
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Minimum tensile strength, 2017-T4 bar
    value: 379
    bound: lower
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      product: bar
      temper: T4
      unit_in_source: 55 ksi
    method: Minimum value printed in the mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials datasheet (column header min)
    status: ground
    source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
    where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, row Alloy 2017 / 2017-T4 Bar, column Tensile, Mpa
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Minimum yield strength, 2017-T4 bar
    value: 221
    bound: lower
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      product: bar
      temper: T4
      unit_in_source: 32 ksi
    method: Minimum value printed in the mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials datasheet
    status: ground
    source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
    where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, row 2017-T4 Bar, column Yield, Mpa
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Minimum elongation, 2017-T4 bar
    value: 12
    bound: lower
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      product: bar
      temper: T4
      gauge_length: 4D
    method: Minimum value printed in the mechanical properties table of the AircraftMaterials datasheet
    status: ground
    source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
    where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, row 2017-T4 Bar, column Elongation in 4D %
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Yield strength Rp0.2, 2017A laboratory ingot, T4 (510 °C solution treatment, 70 h natural ageing)
    value: 268.7
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      product: 2017A ingot cast from scrap, laboratory study
      temper: T4 (solution treatment 510 °C, natural ageing 70 h)
      note_on_source: not a commercial product
    method: Tensile test result printed in a table in a peer-reviewed paper (Materials, 2020)
    status: ground
    source: pmc-2017a
    where: Table 7, row 70 h, SHT 510 °C, column R0.2 (MPa)
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength Rm, 2017A laboratory ingot, T4 (510 °C solution treatment, 70 h natural ageing)
    value: 450.5
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      product: 2017A ingot cast from scrap, laboratory study
      temper: T4 (solution treatment 510 °C, natural ageing 70 h)
      note_on_source: not a commercial product
    method: Tensile test result printed in a table in a peer-reviewed paper (Materials, 2020)
    status: ground
    source: pmc-2017a
    where: Table 7, row 70 h, SHT 510 °C, column Rm (MPa)
corrosion:
  - environment: General service (supplier selection factor, no test conditions)
    headline: The supplier rates the corrosion resistance of 2017 T4 as moderate.
    effect: A supplier selection table for AMS 4110 / 2017 / T4 rates corrosion resistance as Moderate, alongside strength Very good, machinability Excellent, weldability Moderate and formability Good. No test environment, exposure time or rate is given.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      basis: qualitative selection factor only
      test: none stated
    source: referansmetal-2017
    where: Selection Factors for 2017 T4 table, row Corrosion Resistance
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: The Hydro Extrusion safety data sheet for wrought 2xxx series alloys (revised 2018) lists aluminium (CAS 7429-90-5, 85 to 97 %) with the GHS classes Flam. Sol. 1 H228, Water-react. 2 H261 and a combustible dust hazard, and states that metallic dusts may ignite or explode. It covers the whole 2xxx family, not the 2017 grade alone, so the classes are a family-level reading.
      ghs:
        - H228
        - H261
      source: hydro-2xxx-sds
      where: Section 2.1 classification and the Section 3 composition table, row Aluminum; Section 2 text on metallic dust
    - text: The same Hydro sheet says that inhaling dusts and fumes can cause metal fume fever, and that small chips, fine turnings and dust from processing may be toxic to aquatic life.
      ghs: []
      source: hydro-2xxx-sds
      where: Section 2 text on inhalation and environmental hazards
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Poor weld joints
      trigger: Fusion welding of 2017 T4 parts (the datasheet says welding is suitable only by resistance welding)
      consequence: The supplier calls weldability one of the weak points of the alloy and rates it Moderate, so welded joints are less reliable than the parent metal. The sources give no weld-strength figure.
      severity: moderate
      source: referansmetal-2017
      where: Selection Factors for 2017 T4 table, row Weldability; body text on weldability
    - mode: Low strength from short or incomplete natural ageing
      trigger: Solution treatment at 490 °C, or natural ageing for only 4 h, instead of 510 °C and 70 h
      consequence: In the laboratory study the yield strength after 4 h at 490 °C was 211.1 MPa, against 268.7 MPa after 70 h at 510 °C. The study tests a scrap-based lab ingot, not a commercial product.
      severity: moderate
      source: pmc-2017a
      where: Table 7, rows 4 h SHT 490 °C and 70 h SHT 510 °C, column R0.2 (MPa)
    - mode: Surface corrosion of unprotected parts
      trigger: Long exposure in service environments
      consequence: The supplier rates corrosion resistance as moderate. No rate, pit depth or test result for this grade was found, so the risk is qualitative only.
      severity: low
      source: referansmetal-2017
      where: Selection Factors for 2017 T4 table, row Corrosion Resistance
  side_effects: []
  handling:
    - text: Keep machining dust and fines under control. The Hydro sheet says that metallic dusts may ignite or explode and that the product's dust may be toxic to aquatic life, and it says to avoid breathing dust or fume.
      source: hydro-2xxx-sds
      where: Section 2 text on metallic dust; precautionary statement P260 Do not breathe dust, fume
    - text: Specify the temper and product form before comparing values. The datasheets print different minimum and nominal figures for T4 bar, plate and annealed material, and they disagree on yield strength.
      source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
      where: Typical Mechanical Properties table (bar, T4); compared with referansmetal-2017 Mechanical Properties and DELIVERY table
  mitigations: []
uses:
  - application: structures
    device: Aircraft structural components, machine parts and rivets
    example: The AircraftMaterials datasheet lists high-strength structural components, aircraft, machine construction, military equipment and rivets as uses of 2017. Total Materia lists an aerospace specification for 2017A-T42 wire for solid rivets (EN 2116:2009).
    source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
    where: Technical Data Sheet introduction, Uses line; totalmateria-2017a page, specification line EN 2116:2009
  - application: structures
    device: Dry (unpressurised) rocket compartments, made of duralumin
    example: Metinvest says duralumin is used in so-called dry rocket compartments and that duraluminum parts are typically riveted or bolted because the material has low weldability. The article does not name grade 2017, so this use is for the historical duralumin family and is not confirmed for the 2017 grade.
    source: metinvest-rocket-tanks
    where: Duralumin and Riveting and welding sections of the article
supply:
  - subject: Primary aluminium smelter production, 2025 estimate (world)
    producers:
      - country: China
        share_percent: 60.8
        year: 2025
      - country: India
        share_percent: 5.7
        year: 2025
      - country: Russia
        share_percent: 5.3
        year: 2025
      - country: Canada
        share_percent: 4.5
        year: 2025
      - country: United Arab Emirates
        share_percent: 3.6
        year: 2025
    critical_lists: []
    recycling: 'USGS: in 2025 about 3.6 million tons of aluminum were recovered from purchased scrap in the United States, about 56 % from new scrap and 44 % from old scrap. Old-scrap recovery was equivalent to about 28 % of apparent consumption.'
    substitutes:
      - 'USGS: composites can substitute for aluminum in aircraft fuselages and wings. Copper can replace aluminum in electrical and heat-exchange applications.'
    source: usgs-mcs2026-aluminum
    where: 'World Smelter Production and Capacity table, column 2025e: China 45,000, India 4,200, Russia 3,900, Canada 3,300, United Arab Emirates 2,700, world total (rounded) 74,000 thousand t. Shares are calculated by Space Mushroom from those printed values (for example 45,000 / 74,000 = 60.8 %). Recycling and Substitutes sections.'
documents:
  - title: 'Wikipedia: 2017 aluminium alloy (composition, thermal and mechanical properties)'
    type: database
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_aluminium_alloy
    year: 2026
  - title: 'Referans Metal: AMS 4110 / AlCu4MgSi / 2017 / T4 product page (physical, mechanical, delivery and composition tables)'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://referansmetal.com/alasimli-aluminyum/product/335/uzay-havacilik-savunma/cubuk-lama/ams-4110-alcu4mgsi-2017-t4?lang=en
  - title: 'AircraftMaterialsUK: Aluminium Alloy 2017 / 2017A technical data sheet'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.aircraftmaterials.com/data/aluminium/2017a.html
  - title: Mrowka-Nowotnik et al., Microstructure and Properties of As-Cast and Heat-Treated 2017A Aluminium Alloy Obtained from Scrap Recycling, Materials 14(1):89 (2020)
    type: paper
    url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7795794
    year: 2020
  - title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Aluminum'
    type: report
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-aluminum.pdf
    year: 2026
  - title: 'Metinvest Holding: article on metals in rocket construction (dated 2021-04-07)'
    type: report
    url: https://metinvestholding.com/en/media/pdf/ilon-mask-odobryaet-stalj-i-drugie-metalli-v-raketostroenii
    year: 2021
  - title: 'Wikipedia: Duralumin (history, use in aircraft and airships)'
    type: database
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duralumin
    year: 2026
  - title: 'Total Materia: EN 2017A Aluminium Alloys (designations and equivalent materials)'
    type: database
    url: https://www.totalmateria.com/en-us/material/3245358
  - title: 'Hydro Extrusion USA: Safety Data Sheet, Wrought Aluminum Products, 2xxx Series Alloys (revised 08/14/2018)'
    type: sds
    url: https://www.hydro.com/globalassets/01-products--services/extruded-profiles/americas/ena-resources/safety-data-sheets/4-664-2xxx-series.pdf
    year: 2018
gaps:
  - No flight, spacecraft, satellite or launch-vehicle record for the 2017 grade itself was found. The Metinvest article mentions duralumin in dry rocket compartments but does not name 2017, and the Wikipedia Duralumin article's spacecraft text concerns other alloys. The Wikipedia 2014 article mentions space booster tankage for a different alloy. A NASA search for 2017-T4 in spacecraft structure returned nothing usable.
  - No corrosion test data (salt spray, ASTM G34 or G66, exfoliation, stress-corrosion) for 2017 or 2017-T4 was found. Only the supplier rating moderate is recorded.
  - 'The electrical conductivity or resistivity of 2017 T4 is not recorded: the referansmetal page prints 37 % IACS under a resistivity label, and the unit label conflicts, so the value was left out.'
  - Density was read from one supplier page (2.79 g/cm3). MakeItFrom (3.0 g/cm3) and the other pages named in search results were blocked (403 or 404) or not fetched, so the conflict between 2.78 and 3.0 g/cm3 was not resolved.
  - MatWeb, the ASM Handbook chapter on 2017, 2017A and 2117 rivets, AZoM and Aalco were not reached (search returned no page for them, or the page was paywalled or blocked). The SuppliersOnline 2017 page returned HTTP 503.
  - The hazard classes come from the Hydro SDS for the whole wrought 2xxx family, not a 2017-specific SDS. PubChem's aluminium GHS record was blocked by a browser check.
  - The USGS 2026 aluminum summary text read here does not mention a critical-minerals list, so no critical-list entry is recorded.
  - The brinell_hardness benchmark name is not in property-canon.yaml. The Brinell value is recorded with that short snake_case name for the reason given here.
  - The Mg range differs between sources (0.4 to 0.8 in the Wikipedia and AircraftMaterials US limit, 0.4 to 1.0 in the EN limit on AircraftMaterials and Referans Metal). Both are shown in the formula and recipe text. The PMC Table 2 standard column prints Mg 0.4 to 1.8, which was not used.
  - The measured composition in the PMC paper (a scrap-based laboratory ingot) is not entered as a property.
  - Radiation effects, atomic oxygen erosion, outgassing and cryogenic properties were not looked up for this grade.
sources:
  wiki-2017-alloy:
    title: 2017 aluminium alloy (Wikipedia)
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_aluminium_alloy
    year: 2026
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (cited, not reproduced)
  referansmetal-2017:
    title: Referans Metal, AMS 4110 / AlCu4MgSi / 2017 / T4 product page
    id: UNS A92017, WNR 3.1325, DIN AlCuMg1, ISO AlCu4MgSi, ASTM B209 / B211 / B221, AMS 4118 (replaced AMS 4110)
    url: https://referansmetal.com/alasimli-aluminyum/product/335/uzay-havacilik-savunma/cubuk-lama/ams-4110-alcu4mgsi-2017-t4?lang=en
    kind: datasheet
    license: Supplier web page (cited, not reproduced)
  aircraftmaterials-2017a:
    title: 'AircraftMaterialsUK: Aluminium Alloy 2017 / 2017A'
    id: UNS A92017, ASTM B211 and B316, AMS 4118, AIR 9051A
    url: https://www.aircraftmaterials.com/data/aluminium/2017a.html
    kind: datasheet
    license: Supplier web page (cited, not reproduced)
  pmc-2017a:
    title: 'Mrowka-Nowotnik G., Gancarczyk K., Nowotnik A., Dychton K., Boczkal G.: Microstructure and Properties of As-Cast and Heat-Treated 2017A Aluminium Alloy Obtained from Scrap Recycling, Materials 14(1):89'
    id: PMC7795794, published online 2020-12-27
    url: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7795794
    year: 2020
    kind: paper
    license: Open access (cited, not reproduced)
  usgs-mcs2026-aluminum:
    title: 'Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Aluminum'
    id: USGS MCS 2026
    url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-aluminum.pdf
    year: 2026
    kind: report
    license: public domain (USGS)
  metinvest-rocket-tanks:
    title: 'Metinvest Holding: article on metals in rocket construction, dated 2021-04-07'
    url: https://metinvestholding.com/en/media/pdf/ilon-mask-odobryaet-stalj-i-drugie-metalli-v-raketostroenii
    year: 2021
    kind: web
    license: Corporate article (cited, not reproduced)
  wiki-duralumin:
    title: Duralumin (Wikipedia)
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duralumin
    year: 2026
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (cited, not reproduced)
  totalmateria-2017a:
    title: 'Total Materia: EN 2017A Aluminium Alloys'
    id: EN AW-2017A, EN 2116:2009, DIN 3.1325, AIR 2017A
    url: https://www.totalmateria.com/en-us/material/3245358
    kind: database
    license: Paywalled database (cited, not reproduced)
  hydro-2xxx-sds:
    title: 'Hydro Extrusion USA: Safety Data Sheet, Wrought Aluminum Products, 2xxx Series Alloys (revision 08/14/2018, issued 09/17/2014)'
    url: https://www.hydro.com/globalassets/01-products--services/extruded-profiles/americas/ena-resources/safety-data-sheets/4-664-2xxx-series.pdf
    year: 2018
    kind: datasheet
    license: Manufacturer safety data sheet (cited, not reproduced)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-26'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 23
  unreachable: 3
  caveats: 6
  note: 'Values were read by an AI assistant on 2026-10-26 from the pages named in each entry. Unreachable or blocked: MakeItFrom (403), Weerg datasheet (404), SuppliersOnline (503), MatWeb (not found), Hydro SDS read via saved PDF text. Caveats: strengths are supplier or minimum values for different forms and tempers; the 2017 space use is not confirmed for the grade; the hazard classes are for the whole 2xxx family; the 3.5 to 4.5 % copper range is from one standard table; the density is from one supplier page.'
story:
  recipe:
    line: 2017 is a wrought Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si alloy. The main alloying elements are copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and silicon (Wikipedia). The T4 temper is made by solution treatment at 490 to 510 °C, water quenching, and natural ageing at about 25 °C (PMC 2020, heat-treatment section). The composition below is the standard range, not a measured value.
    parts:
      - name: Aluminium
        symbol: Al
        share: 91.5 to 95.5 wt%
        role: The matrix of the alloy. Balance of the composition.
      - name: Copper
        symbol: Cu
        share: 3.5 to 4.5 wt%
        role: The main alloying element, named first among the main elements in the Wikipedia article. It is the copper content that the AircraftMaterials and Referans Metal limits both print at 3.5 to 4.5 %.
      - name: Magnesium
        symbol: Mg
        share: 0.4 to 0.8 wt%
        role: Alloying element named among the main elements. Referans Metal prints a wider range for the EN form.
      - name: Manganese
        symbol: Mn
        share: 0.4 to 1 wt%
        role: Alloying element named among the main elements.
      - name: Silicon
        symbol: Si
        share: 0.2 to 0.8 wt%
        role: Alloying element named among the main elements.
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      level: 1
      verdict: Dust and fume warnings
      lead: The Hydro safety data sheet for the 2xxx series gives dust, fume and environmental warnings for processing. No health data for the 2017 grade were found.
      points:
        - label: Machining dust
          line: Metallic dust can ignite or explode, and dusts and fumes from machining or welding can cause metal fume fever (Hydro SDS, 2xxx series).
        - label: Environment
          line: Small chips, fine turnings and processing dust may be toxic to aquatic life, according to the same sheet.
    - title: If it fails
      lead: The failure routes found in the sources are weld joints, under-aged strength and surface corrosion.
      points:
        - label: Welds
          line: The supplier calls weldability one of the weak points of the alloy and rates it Moderate. Only resistance welding is suitable, according to AircraftMaterials.
        - label: Ageing
          line: In a laboratory study, yield strength after 4 h at 490 °C was 211.1 MPa, against 268.7 MPa after 70 h at 510 °C. The study used a scrap-based ingot.
        - label: Corrosion
          line: The supplier rates corrosion resistance as moderate. No test result for this grade was found.
    - title: Handling and storage
      points:
        - label: Specify temper and form
          line: Yield and tensile values depend strongly on the temper and form, so state T4, annealed, bar or plate when comparing figures.
        - label: Dust control
          line: Keep machining dust and fines under control, and do not breathe dust or fume, following the Hydro SDS.
  why: 2017 is an old aircraft alloy that is strong for its weight and easy to machine in the T4 temper. Supplier data give a density of 2.79 g/cm3, a yield strength of 276 MPa and a tensile strength of 427 MPa in T4, and a minimum tensile strength of 379 MPa for T4 bar. It has been used for aircraft structures and rivets, and older duralumin-type parts were riveted or bolted into rocket compartments because welding was difficult.
  uses:
    - where: Aircraft structures and rivets
      line: AircraftMaterials lists high-strength structural components, aircraft, machine construction, military equipment and rivets. Total Materia lists an aerospace specification for 2017A-T42 wire for solid rivets (EN 2116).
    - where: Dry rocket compartments
      line: Metinvest says duralumin is used in so-called dry rocket compartments, joined by riveting or bolting. The article does not name grade 2017.
  can_do:
    - label: Carry load in the T4 temper
      value: 276 MPa yield
      benchmark: yield_strength
      line: The T4 page gives a yield strength of 276 MPa and a tensile strength of 427 MPa, with 18 % elongation over A50 mm.
    - label: Machine it
      value: 105 HB
      benchmark: brinell_hardness
      line: The supplier rates machinability Excellent and gives a hardness of 105 HB in T4.
    - label: Weight
      value: 2.79 g/cm3
      benchmark: density
      line: The supplier gives a density of 2.79 g/cm3.
    - label: Heat
      value: 140 W/m.K
      benchmark: thermal_conductivity
      line: The supplier gives a thermal conductivity of 140 W/m.K. The Wikipedia article gives 134 W/m-K, with the condition not stated.
    - label: Soft form
      value: 69 MPa yield
      benchmark: yield_strength
      line: In the annealed condition the Wikipedia article gives 69 MPa yield and 179 MPa tensile strength, with 22 % elongation.
  compare: Compared with the other rows of this site, 2017 is a high-strength Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si alloy whose strength depends strongly on temper. The sources here give its density, stiffness and thermal figures only for this alloy, and they do not compare it with other grades numerically.
  compare_rows:
    - label: Density
      benchmark: density
    - label: Thermal conductivity
      benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    - label: Modulus of elasticity
      benchmark: elastic_modulus
  handling:
    - Specify the temper and the product form, because strengths in the datasheets differ for T4, annealed, bar and plate.
    - Keep machining dust and fines under control. Metallic dust can ignite or explode.
    - Do not rely on fusion welding. Only resistance welding is suitable, and the supplier rates weldability as moderate.
  good_for:
    - 'Machined structural parts in the T4 temper: supplier rates machinability excellent and yield strength 276 MPa.'
    - Rivets and fasteners in aircraft-type structures, as printed in the AircraftMaterials and Total Materia sources.
    - Light structural parts where density near 2.79 g/cm3 is wanted.
  watch_out:
    - 'Weldability: only resistance welding is suitable, and the supplier calls weldability one of the weak points.'
    - 'Corrosion: the supplier rates corrosion resistance moderate, and no test data for this grade were found.'
    - 'Strength varies with temper: annealed values are 69 MPa yield, against 276 MPa in T4.'
    - Spacecraft or launcher use of the 2017 grade is not confirmed by any source read here.
  verdict: 2017 is a strong, machinable Al-Cu-Mg alloy for aircraft-type structures and rivets, with strength that depends on its temper. It is hard to weld and only moderately corrosion resistant, and the sources here do not confirm a flight record for the 2017 grade.