Aluminium alloy 2017A 2017A
Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si alloy, EN AW-2017A: Cu 3.5 to 4.5, Mn 0.4 to 1.0, Mg 0.4 to 1.0, Si 0.2 to 0.8, Fe max 0.7, Zn max 0.25, Cr max 0.10, Zr plus Ti max 0.25, others max 0.05 each and 0.15 total, Al balance (wt%)
Also known as UNS A92017, EN 3.1325, EN name EN AW-2017A, DIN AlCuMg1, JIS 2017A, ISO AlCu4MgSi · 5 more
2017A is a heat-treatable wrought aluminium alloy of the Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si family, with 3.5 to 4.5 % copper.
Evidence level
2 of 5
Lab-measured
- 0Predicted only. No one has made it, or no measurement exists.
- 1Calculated. Only calculated or predicted values from sources.
- 2Lab-measured. Measured properties with their conditions stated.
- 3Space-relevant tests. Measured in conditions relevant to space, such as vacuum or atomic oxygen.
- 4Ground-qualified. Qualified for an application on the ground.
- 5Flown or field-proven. Flight or field results exist.
Carry load in the T4 temper
276 MPa yield
Machine it
105 HB
Weight
2.79 g/cm3
Heat
140 W/m.K
Soft form
69 MPa yield
Recipe, share of the weight
- Al not statedAluminium
- Cu not statedCopper
- Mg not statedMagnesium
- Mn not statedManganese
- Si not statedSilicon
- Fe not statedIron
Best for
Machined structural parts and solid rivets in the T4 temper (supplier rates machinability Excellent, yield strength 276 MPa)
Weakest at
Welding (resistance welding only, per the Smith and AircraftMaterials datasheets) and corrosion resistance (rated moderate by one supplier and good by another, with no test data for this grade)
Risk at a glance
- People Low. Dust and fume warnings
- If it fails Moderate. Poor weld joints
- Corrosion Moderate. One supplier rates the corrosion resistance of 2017 T4 as moderate.
Quick facts: 2017A
| Property | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 2.79 g/cm³ | 1 sourced value |
| Yield strength | 69 to 276 MPa | 5 sourced values across conditions |
| Tensile strength | 179 to 451 MPa | 5 sourced values across conditions |
| Young's modulus | 72 GPa | 1 sourced value |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 105 HB | 1 sourced value |
| Thermal conductivity | 134 to 140 W/(m·K) | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 22.9 to 23.6 ppm/K | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Melting point | 510 to 641 °C | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Specific heat | 880 J/(kg·K) | 1 sourced value |
What is the density of Aluminium alloy 2017A?
Aluminium alloy 2017A has a density of 2.79 g/cm³. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the thermal conductivity of Aluminium alloy 2017A?
Aluminium alloy 2017A has a thermal conductivity of 134 to 140 W/(m·K). The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Aluminium alloy 2017A?
Aluminium alloy 2017A has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 22.9 to 23.6 ppm/K. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the melting point of Aluminium alloy 2017A?
Aluminium alloy 2017A has a melting point of 510 to 641 °C. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What is the yield strength of Aluminium alloy 2017A?
Aluminium alloy 2017A has a yield strength of 69 to 276 MPa. The range covers 5 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What are the other names and codes for Aluminium alloy 2017A?
Aluminium alloy 2017A is also written as UNS A92017, EN 3.1325, EN name EN AW-2017A, DIN AlCuMg1, JIS 2017A, ISO AlCu4MgSi. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.
What is Aluminium alloy 2017A used for?
Uses recorded in the sources include Solid rivets and fasteners (2017A-T42 wire for solid rivets); High-strength structural components, aircraft and machine construction; Dry (unpressurised) rocket compartments, made of duralumin.
Why it exists
2017A is an aircraft-type alloy that is strong for its weight and easy to machine in the T4 temper. One supplier page gives a density of 2.79 g/cm3, a yield strength of 276 MPa and a tensile strength of 427 MPa in T4. The AircraftMaterials and Smith datasheets give a minimum tensile strength of 379 MPa for T4 round bar. It is used for high-strength structures and solid rivets, and older duralumin-type parts were riveted or bolted into rocket compartments because welding was difficult.
Where it's used
Solid rivets and fasteners
Total Materia lists an aerospace specification, EN 2116:2009, for aluminium alloy 2017A-T42 as wire for solid rivets. The Smith datasheet lists rivets and fasteners as applications.
Aircraft structures
AircraftMaterials says the alloy is used for high-strength structural components, and lists aircraft, machine construction, military equipment and rivets. Smith lists aerospace components.
Dry rocket compartments (duralumin family)
Metinvest says duralumin is used in so-called dry rocket compartments, joined by riveting or bolting. The article does not name grade 2017 or 2017A.
Recipe
Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si alloy, EN AW-2017A: Cu 3.5 to 4.5, Mn 0.4 to 1.0, Mg 0.4 to 1.0, Si 0.2 to 0.8, Fe max 0.7, Zn max 0.25, Cr max 0.10, Zr plus Ti max 0.25, others max 0.05 each and 0.15 total, Al balance (wt%)
2017A is a wrought Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si alloy. Copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and silicon are its main alloying elements (Wikipedia). The T4 temper is made by solution treatment, water quenching and natural ageing at about 25 °C. The PMC 2020 study held samples at 490, 500 and 510 °C for 6 h before water quenching, and the paper notes that the standard solution range for this alloy is narrower than the range it tested. The composition below is the standard limit range, not a measured value.
| Ingredient | Share of the weight | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium Al | not stated | The matrix of the alloy. It makes up the balance of the composition. |
| Copper Cu | not stated | Named by Wikipedia among the main alloying elements. The AircraftMaterials and Smith limits both print 3.5 to 4.5 wt%. |
| Magnesium Mg | not stated | Named by Wikipedia among the main alloying elements. The 2017A (EAA) limit is 0.4 to 1.0 wt%; the US 2017 limit is 0.4 to 0.8 wt%. |
| Manganese Mn | not stated | Alloying element named among the main elements, and printed with the same range in all sources. |
| Silicon Si | not stated | Alloying element named among the main elements. |
| Iron Fe | not stated | Impurity limit. Iron is named among the main elements in the Wikipedia article, but it is printed as a maximum. |
Weight shares are as printed in the sources.
What it can do
Carry load in the T4 temper
276 MPa yield
measured
The T4 page gives a yield strength of 276 MPa and a tensile strength of 427 MPa, with 18 % elongation over A50 mm.
Machine it
105 HB
measured
The supplier rates machinability Excellent and gives a hardness of 105 HB in T4.
Weight
2.79 g/cm3
measured
The supplier gives a density of 2.79 g/cm3.
Heat
140 W/m.K
measured
The supplier gives a thermal conductivity of 140 W/m.K in T4. The Wikipedia 2017 article gives 134 W/m-K, with the condition not stated.
Soft form
69 MPa yield
measured
In the annealed condition the Wikipedia 2017 article gives 69 MPa yield and 179 MPa tensile strength, with 22 % elongation.
How it compares
Among the aluminium alloys on this site, 2017A 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 for this alloy and its family, and they do not compare it with other grades numerically.
The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.
| Measurement | 2017A | 6061 | 7075-T6 | 2024 | 5052 | 5XXX | 2195 (Al-Cu-Li) | Al | 1050 | 2011 | 2014 | 2017 | 2219 | 2319 | 2618A | 3003 | 3103 | 4047 | 5019 | 5056 | 5083 | AlMg2 | AlMg3 | 6013 | 6063 | 6082 | 6101 | AA7050 | AA8011 | Au-Al IMCs | Al master alloys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal behavior and safety | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Melting point, 2017 T4Single value printed on a supplier product page | 510 °C | no data | 532 °C | no data | 607.2 to 649 °C | no data | 1020 degF | 660 °C | 645 to 657 °C | 540 °C | 535 °C | 510 °C | 543 °C | 543 to 643 °C | 549 °C | 655 °C | 655 °C | 1068 to 1080 °F | 575 to 630 °C | 565 to 640 °C | 570 °C | 605 to 650 °C | 590 to 645 °C | 579 °C | 600 °C | 575 °C | 1090 °F | 490 °C | 640 to 655 °C | no data | 880 °C |
| Melting range, 2017 (Wikipedia) | 513 to 641 °C2 | no data | 532 °C | no data | 607.2 to 649 °C | no data | 1020 degF | 660 °C | 645 to 657 °C | 540 °C | 535 °C | 510 °C | 543 °C | 543 to 643 °C | 549 °C | 655 °C | 655 °C | 1068 to 1080 °F | 575 to 630 °C | 565 to 640 °C | 570 °C | 605 to 650 °C | 590 to 645 °C | 579 °C | 600 °C | 575 °C | 1090 °F | 490 °C | 640 to 655 °C | no data | 880 °C |
| Thermal conductivity, 2017 T4Value printed on a supplier product page | 140 W/m.K3 | 167 W/(m·K) | 130 W/m·K | 121 W/m-K | 138 W/m-K | 138 W/(m·K) | no data | 220 W/(m·K) | 229 W/m.K | 140 W/m.K | 138 W/(m·K) | 140 W/m.K | 130 W.m/m2.°C | no data | 147 W/m.K | 190 W/m.K | 160 W/m.K | no data | 110 to 140 W/(m·K) | 109 to 117 W/(m·K) | 121 W/(m·K) | 138 W/(m·K) | 140 to 160 W/(m·K) | 164 W/(m·K) | 200 W/(m·K) | 180 W/(m·K) | no data | 154 W/(m·K) | 210 to 220 W/(m·K) | no data | no data |
| Thermal conductivity, 2017 (Wikipedia) | 134 W/m-K4 | 167 W/(m·K) | 130 W/m·K | 121 W/m-K | 138 W/m-K | 138 W/(m·K) | no data | 220 W/(m·K) | 229 W/m.K | 140 W/m.K | 138 W/(m·K) | 140 W/m.K | 130 W.m/m2.°C | no data | 147 W/m.K | 190 W/m.K | 160 W/m.K | no data | 110 to 140 W/(m·K) | 109 to 117 W/(m·K) | 121 W/(m·K) | 138 W/(m·K) | 140 to 160 W/(m·K) | 164 W/(m·K) | 200 W/(m·K) | 180 W/(m·K) | no data | 154 W/(m·K) | 210 to 220 W/(m·K) | no data | no data |
| Specific heat capacity, 2017 (Wikipedia) | 0.88 J/g-°C6 | no data | 960 J/kg·K | 0.875 J/g-°C | no data | no data | no data | 900 J/(kg·K) | no data | no data | no data | 0.88 J/(g·°C) | 0.86 J/g.°C | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | 904 J/(kg·K) | no data | no data | 898 J/(kg·K) | 900 J/(kg·K) | no data | no data | 896 J/(kg·K) | no data | 0.86 J/g°C | no data | no data | no data |
| Physical and electrical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Density, 2017 T4Value printed on a supplier product page | 2.79 g/cm³1 | 2.7 g/cm³ | 2.8 Mg/m3 | 2.78 g/cc | 2.68 g/cc | 2.68 g/cm³ | 0.096 lb/in3 | 2.7 g/cm³ | 2.71 g/cm³ | 2.82 g/cm³ | 2.82 g/cm³ | 2.79 g/cm³ | 2.84 g/cm³ | 2.84 g/cm³ | 2.76 g/cm³ | 2.73 g/cm³ | 2.73 g/cm³ | 2.65 g/cm³ | 2.64 g/cm³ | 2.64 g/cm³ | 2.65 g/cm³ | 2.69 g/cm³ | 2.67 g/cm³ | 2.71 g/cm³ | 2700 kg/m3 | 2.7 g/cm³ | 0.097 lb/cu.in | 2.83 g/cm³ | 2.71 g/cm³ | no data | no data |
| Brinell hardness, 2017 T4Value printed on a supplier product page | 105 HB | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | 35 HB | 105 HB | no data | 105 HB | no data | no data | 120 HB | no data | 45 HB | no data | 65 to 95 HB | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Other measurements | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coefficient of thermal expansion, 2017 T4Value printed on a supplier product page | 22.9 µm/m.°C | 23.6 ppm/K | 23.4 µm/m·K | 23.2 ppm/K | 24.8 µm/m-°C | 24 ppm/K | no data | 22.5 ppm/K | 23.5 x10-6/K | 21.4 µm/m.°C | 23 ppm/K | 22.9 µm/(m·°C) | 22.5 x10^-6 m/m.°C | no data | 21.6 µm/m°C | 23.1 ppm/K | 23.1 x10-6/K | no data | no data | 2.41×10^-5 1/K | 25 ppm/K | 23.8 µm/m/°C | 23.9 ppm/K | 21.7 µm/m°C | 23.5 ppm/K | 23.1 ppm/K | no data | 23.5 ppm/K | 2.35×10^-5 1/K | no data | no data |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion, 2017 (Wikipedia) | 23.6 µm/m-°C5 | 23.6 ppm/K | 23.4 µm/m·K | 23.2 ppm/K | 24.8 µm/m-°C | 24 ppm/K | no data | 22.5 ppm/K | 23.5 x10-6/K | 21.4 µm/m.°C | 23 ppm/K | 22.9 µm/(m·°C) | 22.5 x10^-6 m/m.°C | no data | 21.6 µm/m°C | 23.1 ppm/K | 23.1 x10-6/K | no data | no data | 2.41×10^-5 1/K | 25 ppm/K | 23.8 µm/m/°C | 23.9 ppm/K | 21.7 µm/m°C | 23.5 ppm/K | 23.1 ppm/K | no data | 23.5 ppm/K | 2.35×10^-5 1/K | no data | no data |
| Modulus of elasticity, 2017 T4 | 72 GPa7 | 68.9 GPa | 71 GPa | 73.1 GPa | 70.3 GPa | 70.3 GPa | 11 MSI | 69 GPa | 69000 MPa | 70 GPa | 71 GPa | 72 GPa | 73.8 x10^3 N/mm2 | no data | 71 GPa | 69.5 GPa | 69.5 GPa | no data | 70 GPa | 71 GPa | 72 GPa | 70 GPa | 70 GPa | 71 GPa | 69.5 GPa | 70 GPa | no data | 71.5 GPa | 70 GPa | no data | no data |
| Yield strength, 2017 T4Value printed on a supplier product page | 276 MPa8 | 276 MPa | 503 MPa | 324 MPa | 13 ksi | 193 MPa | 74 ksi | 29 MPa | > 85 MPa | 140 MPa | > 400 MPa | 276 MPa | > 50 ksi | 70 MPa | 350 MPa | 50 MPa | > 110 MPa | 55 MPa | no data | no data | > 125 MPa | > 120 MPa | > 80 MPa | 350 MPa | 21 ksi | > 255 MPa | 28000 psi | > 414 MPa | no data | no data | no data |
| Ultimate tensile strength, 2017 T4Value printed on a supplier product page | 427 MPa | 310 MPa | 572 MPa | 469 MPa | 28 ksi | 228 MPa | 80 ksi | 88 MPa | 105 to 145 MPa | 300 MPa | > 460 MPa | 427 MPa | > 62 ksi | 160 MPa | 420 MPa | 110 MPa | > 140 MPa | 124 MPa | 270 to 350 MPa | 300 MPa | 275 to 350 MPa | 190 to 230 MPa | 190 to 260 MPa | 410 MPa | 27 ksi | > 300 MPa | 32000 psi | > 483 MPa | 180 to 195 MPa | no data | no data |
| Elongation, 2017 T4Value printed on a supplier product page | 18 %9 | 17 % | 11 % | 19 % | 25 % | 12 % | 8 % | 50 to 65 % | 4 to 8 % | 16 % | > 6 % | 18 % | > 6 % | 12 % | > 5 % | 25 % | > 8 % | 12 % | > 2 % | 20 % | > 12 % | 4 to 12 % | > 12 % | 4 % | 8 % | > 9 % | > 8 % | > 7 % | > 1 % | no data | no data |
| Minimum yield strength, 2017 T4, thickness over 25 up to 75 mm | > 270 MPa10 | 276 MPa | 503 MPa | 324 MPa | 13 ksi | 193 MPa | 74 ksi | 29 MPa | > 85 MPa | 140 MPa | > 400 MPa | 276 MPa | > 50 ksi | 70 MPa | 350 MPa | 50 MPa | > 110 MPa | 55 MPa | no data | no data | > 125 MPa | > 120 MPa | > 80 MPa | 350 MPa | 21 ksi | > 255 MPa | 28000 psi | > 414 MPa | no data | no data | no data |
| Minimum tensile strength, 2017 T4, thickness over 25 up to 75 mm | > 400 MPa11 | 310 MPa | 572 MPa | 469 MPa | 28 ksi | 228 MPa | 80 ksi | 88 MPa | 105 to 145 MPa | 300 MPa | > 460 MPa | 427 MPa | > 62 ksi | 160 MPa | 420 MPa | 110 MPa | > 140 MPa | 124 MPa | 270 to 350 MPa | 300 MPa | 275 to 350 MPa | 190 to 230 MPa | 190 to 260 MPa | 410 MPa | 27 ksi | > 300 MPa | 32000 psi | > 483 MPa | 180 to 195 MPa | no data | no data |
| Minimum tensile strength, 2017-T4 bar | > 379 MPa12 | 310 MPa | 572 MPa | 469 MPa | 28 ksi | 228 MPa | 80 ksi | 88 MPa | 105 to 145 MPa | 300 MPa | > 460 MPa | 427 MPa | > 62 ksi | 160 MPa | 420 MPa | 110 MPa | > 140 MPa | 124 MPa | 270 to 350 MPa | 300 MPa | 275 to 350 MPa | 190 to 230 MPa | 190 to 260 MPa | 410 MPa | 27 ksi | > 300 MPa | 32000 psi | > 483 MPa | 180 to 195 MPa | no data | no data |
| Minimum yield strength, 2017-T4 bar | > 221 MPa13 | 276 MPa | 503 MPa | 324 MPa | 13 ksi | 193 MPa | 74 ksi | 29 MPa | > 85 MPa | 140 MPa | > 400 MPa | 276 MPa | > 50 ksi | 70 MPa | 350 MPa | 50 MPa | > 110 MPa | 55 MPa | no data | no data | > 125 MPa | > 120 MPa | > 80 MPa | 350 MPa | 21 ksi | > 255 MPa | 28000 psi | > 414 MPa | no data | no data | no data |
| Minimum elongation, 2017-T4 bar | > 12 %14 | 17 % | 11 % | 19 % | 25 % | 12 % | 8 % | 50 to 65 % | 4 to 8 % | 16 % | > 6 % | 18 % | > 6 % | 12 % | > 5 % | 25 % | > 8 % | 12 % | > 2 % | 20 % | > 12 % | 4 to 12 % | > 12 % | 4 % | 8 % | > 9 % | > 8 % | > 7 % | > 1 % | no data | no data |
| Yield strength Rp0.2, 2017A laboratory ingot, T4 (510 °C solution treatment, 70 h natural ageing) | 268.7 MPa15 | 276 MPa | 503 MPa | 324 MPa | 13 ksi | 193 MPa | 74 ksi | 29 MPa | > 85 MPa | 140 MPa | > 400 MPa | 276 MPa | > 50 ksi | 70 MPa | 350 MPa | 50 MPa | > 110 MPa | 55 MPa | no data | no data | > 125 MPa | > 120 MPa | > 80 MPa | 350 MPa | 21 ksi | > 255 MPa | 28000 psi | > 414 MPa | no data | no data | no data |
| Tensile strength Rm, 2017A laboratory ingot, T4 (510 °C solution treatment, 70 h natural ageing) | 450.5 MPa16 | 310 MPa | 572 MPa | 469 MPa | 28 ksi | 228 MPa | 80 ksi | 88 MPa | 105 to 145 MPa | 300 MPa | > 460 MPa | 427 MPa | > 62 ksi | 160 MPa | 420 MPa | 110 MPa | > 140 MPa | 124 MPa | 270 to 350 MPa | 300 MPa | 275 to 350 MPa | 190 to 230 MPa | 190 to 260 MPa | 410 MPa | 27 ksi | > 300 MPa | 32000 psi | > 483 MPa | 180 to 195 MPa | no data | no data |
| Elongation A5, 2017A laboratory ingot, T4 (510 °C solution treatment, 70 h natural ageing) | 14.65 %17 | 17 % | 11 % | 19 % | 25 % | 12 % | 8 % | 50 to 65 % | 4 to 8 % | 16 % | > 6 % | 18 % | > 6 % | 12 % | > 5 % | 25 % | > 8 % | 12 % | > 2 % | 20 % | > 12 % | 4 to 12 % | > 12 % | 4 % | 8 % | > 9 % | > 8 % | > 7 % | > 1 % | no data | no data |
| Tensile strength, 2017 annealed (Wikipedia) | 179 MPa18 | 310 MPa | 572 MPa | 469 MPa | 28 ksi | 228 MPa | 80 ksi | 88 MPa | 105 to 145 MPa | 300 MPa | > 460 MPa | 427 MPa | > 62 ksi | 160 MPa | 420 MPa | 110 MPa | > 140 MPa | 124 MPa | 270 to 350 MPa | 300 MPa | 275 to 350 MPa | 190 to 230 MPa | 190 to 260 MPa | 410 MPa | 27 ksi | > 300 MPa | 32000 psi | > 483 MPa | 180 to 195 MPa | no data | no data |
| Yield strength, 2017 annealed (Wikipedia) | 69 MPa19 | 276 MPa | 503 MPa | 324 MPa | 13 ksi | 193 MPa | 74 ksi | 29 MPa | > 85 MPa | 140 MPa | > 400 MPa | 276 MPa | > 50 ksi | 70 MPa | 350 MPa | 50 MPa | > 110 MPa | 55 MPa | no data | no data | > 125 MPa | > 120 MPa | > 80 MPa | 350 MPa | 21 ksi | > 255 MPa | 28000 psi | > 414 MPa | no data | no data | no data |
| Elongation, 2017 annealed (Wikipedia) | 22 %20 | 17 % | 11 % | 19 % | 25 % | 12 % | 8 % | 50 to 65 % | 4 to 8 % | 16 % | > 6 % | 18 % | > 6 % | 12 % | > 5 % | 25 % | > 8 % | 12 % | > 2 % | 20 % | > 12 % | 4 to 12 % | > 12 % | 4 % | 8 % | > 9 % | > 8 % | > 7 % | > 1 % | no data | no data |
Why choose it, and why not
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 Total Materia and AircraftMaterials sources.
- Light structural parts where a density near 2.79 g/cm3 is wanted.
Watch out for
- Weldability: only resistance welding is suitable, and one supplier says welding is not recommended.
- Corrosion: the suppliers disagree (moderate and good), 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 2017A grade is not confirmed by any source read here.
2017A is a strong, machinable Al-Cu-Mg alloy for aircraft-type structures and solid rivets, with strength that depends on its temper. It is hard to weld, its corrosion rating is disputed, and the sources here do not confirm a flight record for the grade.
Technical details
For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.
Other names and standards
The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.
| System | Codes |
|---|---|
| UNS | A92017 |
| EN | 3.1325 |
| EN name | EN AW-2017A |
| DIN | AlCuMg1 |
| JIS | 2017A |
| ISO | AlCu4MgSi (A) |
| AMS | 4118 |
| ASTM | B209 (plate and sheet), B221 (extruded round bar, tube, flat bar, wire, profile), B211 (cold-drawn round bar, tube, flat bar, wire, profile), B316 (bar, rod and wire) |
Notes
The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.
| # | Measurement | Method | Conditions | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Density, 2017 T4 | — | temper T4 (page title AMS 4110 / AlCu4MgSi / 2017 / T4)form not statedtemperature not stated | — |
| 2 | Melting range, 2017 (Wikipedia) | Range printed in the thermal properties table of the Wikipedia article | alloy 2017 family article, not 2017A specificallycondition in source not stated | — |
| 3 | Thermal conductivity, 2017 T4 | — | temper T4 (page title)temperature not statedform not stated | — |
| 4 | Thermal conductivity, 2017 (Wikipedia) | Value printed in the thermal properties table of the Wikipedia article | alloy 2017 family article, not 2017A specificallytemperature not statedcondition in source not stated | — |
| 5 | Coefficient of thermal expansion, 2017 (Wikipedia) | Value printed in the thermal properties table of the Wikipedia article | temperature 68 °F as printedalloy 2017 family article, not 2017A specifically | — |
| 6 | Specific heat capacity, 2017 (Wikipedia) | Value printed in the thermal properties table of the Wikipedia article | alloy 2017 family article, not 2017A specificallytemperature not stated | — |
| 7 | Modulus of elasticity, 2017 T4 | Value printed on a supplier product page; the Wikipedia article prints the same 72 GPa for 2017 without a temper | temper T4 (page title)temperature not stated | — |
| 8 | Yield strength, 2017 T4 | — | temper T4 (page title)form not statedmeasure not stated | — |
| 9 | Elongation, 2017 T4 | — | temper T4 (page title)form not statedgauge length A50 mm | — |
| 10 | Minimum yield strength, 2017 T4, thickness over 25 up to 75 mm | Minimum value printed in the delivery table of a supplier product page | temper T4 (page title)thickness over 25 up to and including 75 mmbasis minimum delivery value | — |
| 11 | Minimum tensile strength, 2017 T4, thickness over 25 up to 75 mm | Minimum value printed in the delivery table of a supplier product page | temper T4 (page title)thickness over 25 up to and including 75 mmbasis minimum delivery value | — |
| 12 | Minimum tensile strength, 2017-T4 bar | Minimum value printed in the mechanical table of the AircraftMaterials datasheet. The Smith Metal datasheet prints the same 55 ksi / 379 MPa minimum for 2017 round bar. | product bar, rod and wire (round bar)temper T4unit in source 55 ksibasis minimum value | — |
| 13 | Minimum yield strength, 2017-T4 bar | Minimum value printed in the mechanical table of the AircraftMaterials datasheet. The Smith Metal datasheet prints the same 32 ksi / 221 MPa minimum for 2017 round bar. | product bar, rod and wire (round bar)temper T4unit in source 32 ksibasis minimum value | — |
| 14 | Minimum elongation, 2017-T4 bar | Minimum value printed in the mechanical table of the AircraftMaterials datasheet. The Smith Metal datasheet prints 12 % in 4D for the same bar. | product bar, rod and wire (round bar)temper T4gauge length 4D | — |
| 15 | Yield strength Rp0.2, 2017A laboratory ingot, T4 (510 °C solution treatment, 70 h natural ageing) | Tensile test result printed in a table of a peer-reviewed paper (Materials 2020) | product 2017A ingot cast from scrap, laboratory studytemper T4 (solution treatment 510 °C, natural ageing 70 h)note on source not a commercial product | — |
| 16 | Tensile strength Rm, 2017A laboratory ingot, T4 (510 °C solution treatment, 70 h natural ageing) | Tensile test result printed in a table of a peer-reviewed paper (Materials 2020) | product 2017A ingot cast from scrap, laboratory studytemper T4 (solution treatment 510 °C, natural ageing 70 h)note on source not a commercial product | — |
| 17 | Elongation A5, 2017A laboratory ingot, T4 (510 °C solution treatment, 70 h natural ageing) | Tensile test result printed in a table of a peer-reviewed paper (Materials 2020) | product 2017A ingot cast from scrap, laboratory studytemper T4 (solution treatment 510 °C, natural ageing 70 h)gauge length A5 as printed | — |
| 18 | Tensile strength, 2017 annealed (Wikipedia) | Value printed in the mechanical properties table of the Wikipedia article | temper Annealed (as printed)alloy 2017 family article, not 2017A specifically | — |
| 19 | Yield strength, 2017 annealed (Wikipedia) | Value printed in the mechanical properties table of the Wikipedia article | temper Annealed (as printed)alloy 2017 family article, not 2017A specifically | — |
| 20 | Elongation, 2017 annealed (Wikipedia) | Value printed in the mechanical properties table of the Wikipedia article | temper Annealed (as printed)alloy 2017 family article, not 2017A specificallygauge length not stated | — |
Corrosion and compatibility
What happens when it meets other materials and environments.
| Environment | Concern | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| General service (supplier selection factor, no test conditions) | moderate | One supplier rates the corrosion resistance of 2017 T4 as moderate.1 |
| General service (supplier datasheet, no test conditions) | low | A second supplier describes the corrosion resistance of 2017A as good.2 |
| # | Environment | Details | Test conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General service (supplier selection factor, no test conditions) | The Referans Metal selection factors table rates corrosion resistance Moderate for the T4 product, alongside strength Very good, machinability Excellent, weldability Moderate and formability Good. No test environment, exposure time or rate is given. | basis qualitative selection factor onlytest none statedtemper T4 |
| 2 | General service (supplier datasheet, no test conditions) | The Smith Metal 2017A datasheet lists good corrosion resistance among its key features. The same page says that traditional welding is not possible because welding would change the corrosion resistance. No test result is given. The two supplier ratings (moderate and good) disagree, so neither is a test result. | basis qualitative key-features statement only; the supplier word is Good corrosion resistance, stored on the site scale as lowtest none stated |
Risks and side effects
Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.
For people
The Hydro safety data sheet for the 2xxx series gives dust, fume and environmental warnings for processing. No health data for the 2017A grade were found.
- Machining dust
- Metallic dust can ignite or explode, and dusts and fumes from machining or welding can cause metal fume fever (Hydro SDS, 2xxx series).
- Environment
- Small chips, fine turnings and processing dust may be toxic to aquatic life, according to the same sheet.
If it fails
The failure routes found in the sources are weld joints, under-aged strength and surface corrosion.
- Welds
- Both the Smith and AircraftMaterials datasheets say only resistance welding is suitable. The Smith sheet says welding would change the corrosion resistance, and the Referans sheet rates weldability Moderate.
- Ageing
- 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.
- Corrosion
- The suppliers disagree: moderate at Referans Metal and good at Smith Metal. No test result for this grade was found.
Handling and storage
- Specify temper and form
- Yield and tensile values depend strongly on the temper and form, so state T4, annealed, bar or plate when comparing figures.
- Dust control
- Keep machining dust and fines under control, and do not breathe dust or fume, following the Hydro SDS.
Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.
Failure risks
| Failure | Trigger and consequence |
|---|---|
| Poor weld jointsmoderate severity | Fusion welding of 2017A parts (the Smith and AircraftMaterials datasheets say only resistance welding is suitable)The Smith datasheet says welding is not recommended and that welding would change the corrosion resistance. The supplier also rates weldability Moderate. No weld-strength figure was found. |
| Low strength from short or incomplete natural ageingmoderate severity | Solution treatment at 490 °C with natural ageing for 4 h, instead of 510 °C and 70 hIn 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 used a scrap-based lab ingot, not a commercial product. |
| Surface corrosion of unprotected partslow severity | Long exposure in service environmentsThe suppliers rate corrosion resistance as moderate (Referans Metal) and good (Smith Metal). No rate, pit depth or test result for this grade was found, so the risk is qualitative only. |
Handling and storage
- Keep machining dust and fines under control. The Hydro sheet says that metallic dusts may ignite or explode and that the product dust may be toxic to aquatic life, and it says to avoid breathing dust or fume (P260).
- Do not allow water or moist air to contact the material during processing, and treat the dust as combustible. The Hydro sheet says product dust is combustible and that care is needed to minimise dust generation.
- 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 the suppliers disagree on the corrosion rating.
Supply and geography
How common the raw materials are and where they come from.
Primary aluminium smelter production, 2025 estimate (world)
- Top producers (2025)
- China 60.8%, India 5.7%, Russia 5.3%, Canada 4.5%, United Arab Emirates 3.6%
- Critical mineral lists
- US: listed
- Recycling
- USGS: in 2025 about 3.6 million tons of aluminum were recovered from purchased scrap in the United States. Old-scrap recovery was equivalent to about 28 % of apparent consumption.
- Substitutes
- USGS: composites can substitute for aluminum in aircraft fuselages and wings. Glass, paper, plastics and steel can substitute in packaging.
Documents
Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.
Full record
The complete spore, as stored. Free to reuse under CC-BY-4.0. Images keep the licence shown with each one.
Show the full YAML
spore: profile
id: aluminium-2017a
spore_version: 0.2
family: aluminium-alloys
name: Aluminium alloy 2017A
abbreviation: 2017A
role: aircraft structural alloy and solid rivet alloy
category: metals
type: aluminium
summary: |
2017A is a heat-treatable wrought aluminium alloy of the Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si family, with 3.5 to 4.5 % copper. It is the European (EN AW-2017A) grade of the 2017 family. In the T4 temper (solution treated and naturally aged) one supplier page gives a yield strength of 276 MPa, a tensile strength of 427 MPa and a density of 2.79 g/cm3. Two suppliers describe it as strong, fatigue resistant and easy to machine, and say it can be joined only by resistance welding. The sources read for this profile do not record a spacecraft or launch-vehicle flight for the grade.
best_for: Machined structural parts and solid rivets in the T4 temper (supplier rates machinability Excellent, yield strength 276 MPa)
weakest_at: Welding (resistance welding only, per the Smith and AircraftMaterials datasheets) and corrosion resistance (rated moderate by one supplier and good by another, with no test data for this grade)
identity:
formula: 'Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si alloy, EN AW-2017A: Cu 3.5 to 4.5, Mn 0.4 to 1.0, Mg 0.4 to 1.0, Si 0.2 to 0.8, Fe max 0.7, Zn max 0.25, Cr max 0.10, Zr plus Ti max 0.25, others max 0.05 each and 0.15 total, Al balance (wt%)'
cas: ''
source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
where: Chemical Composition Limits table, column Alloy 2017A EAA. The same limits are printed in the Smith Metal datasheet (Chemical Composition table, Min and Max rows) and the Referans Metal Chemical Properties table.
designations:
- system: UNS
code: A92017
source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
where: Specifications list, UNS A92017. The page covers Alloy 2017 and 2017A together.
- system: EN name
code: EN AW-2017A
source: totalmateria-2017a
where: International Equivalent Materials table, row EN AW-2017A, standard EN, Composition 100%
- system: EN
code: '3.1325'
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Designation list, WNR 3.1325
- system: ISO
code: AlCu4MgSi
note: A
source: totalmateria-2017a
where: International Equivalent Materials table, row AlCu4MgSi(A), standard ISO, Composition 100%
- system: DIN
code: AlCuMg1
source: totalmateria-2017a
where: International Equivalent Materials table, row AlCuMg1, standard DIN, Composition 100%
- system: JIS
code: 2017A
source: totalmateria-2017a
where: International Equivalent Materials table, row 2017A, standard JIS, Composition 100%
- 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: Designation list, AMS 4118 on the Cold Drawn row
- system: ASTM
code: B209
note: plate and sheet
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Designation list, ASTM B209 on the Plate and Sheet row
- system: ASTM
code: B221
note: extruded round bar, tube, flat bar, wire, profile
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Designation list, ASTM B221 on the Extruded row
- system: ASTM
code: B211
note: cold-drawn round bar, tube, flat bar, wire, profile
source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
where: Specifications list, ASTM B211
- system: ASTM
code: B316
note: bar, rod and wire
source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
where: Specifications list, ASTM B316
tags:
environments: []
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 product page
status: ground
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Physical Properties table, 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 product page
status: ground
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Physical Properties table, row Melting Point
- benchmark: melting_point
label: Melting range, 2017 (Wikipedia)
value: 513
value_high: 641
bound: range
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
alloy: 2017 family article, not 2017A specifically
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 product page
status: ground
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Physical Properties table, row Thermal Conductivity
- benchmark: thermal_conductivity
label: Thermal conductivity, 2017 (Wikipedia)
value: 134
unit: W/m-K
scope: material
conditions:
alloy: 2017 family article, not 2017A specifically
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 product page
status: ground
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Physical Properties table, row Thermal Expansion
- benchmark: cte
label: Coefficient of thermal expansion, 2017 (Wikipedia)
value: 23.6
unit: µm/m-°C
scope: material
conditions:
temperature: 68 °F as printed
alloy: 2017 family article, not 2017A specifically
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), CTE 68 °F
- benchmark: specific_heat
label: Specific heat capacity, 2017 (Wikipedia)
value: 0.88
unit: J/g-°C
scope: material
conditions:
alloy: 2017 family article, not 2017A specifically
temperature: 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 product page; the Wikipedia article prints the same 72 GPa for 2017 without a temper
status: ground
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Physical Properties table, 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 product page
status: ground
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Mechanical Properties table, 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 product page
status: ground
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Mechanical Properties table, 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 product page
status: ground
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Mechanical Properties table, 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 product page
status: ground
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Mechanical Properties table, 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 product 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 product 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: Minimum tensile strength, 2017-T4 bar
value: 379
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
product: bar, rod and wire (round bar)
temper: T4
unit_in_source: 55 ksi
basis: minimum value
method: Minimum value printed in the mechanical table of the AircraftMaterials datasheet. The Smith Metal datasheet prints the same 55 ksi / 379 MPa minimum for 2017 round bar.
status: ground
source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, row Alloy 2017, 2017-T4 Bar, column Tensile Strength min
- benchmark: yield_strength
label: Minimum yield strength, 2017-T4 bar
value: 221
bound: lower
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
product: bar, rod and wire (round bar)
temper: T4
unit_in_source: 32 ksi
basis: minimum value
method: Minimum value printed in the mechanical table of the AircraftMaterials datasheet. The Smith Metal datasheet prints the same 32 ksi / 221 MPa minimum for 2017 round bar.
status: ground
source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, row 2017-T4 Bar, column Yield Strength
- benchmark: elongation
label: Minimum elongation, 2017-T4 bar
value: 12
bound: lower
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
product: bar, rod and wire (round bar)
temper: T4
gauge_length: 4D
method: Minimum value printed in the mechanical table of the AircraftMaterials datasheet. The Smith Metal datasheet prints 12 % in 4D for the same bar.
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 of a peer-reviewed paper (Materials 2020)
status: ground
source: pmc-2017a
where: Table 7, row ageing time 70 h, solution temperature 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 of a peer-reviewed paper (Materials 2020)
status: ground
source: pmc-2017a
where: Table 7, row ageing time 70 h, solution temperature 510 °C, column Rm (MPa)
- benchmark: elongation
label: Elongation A5, 2017A laboratory ingot, T4 (510 °C solution treatment, 70 h natural ageing)
value: 14.65
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
product: 2017A ingot cast from scrap, laboratory study
temper: T4 (solution treatment 510 °C, natural ageing 70 h)
gauge_length: A5 as printed
method: Tensile test result printed in a table of a peer-reviewed paper (Materials 2020)
status: ground
source: pmc-2017a
where: Table 7, row ageing time 70 h, solution temperature 510 °C, column Elongation A5 (%)
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength, 2017 annealed (Wikipedia)
value: 179
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
temper: Annealed (as printed)
alloy: 2017 family article, not 2017A specifically
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 (Wikipedia)
value: 69
unit: MPa
scope: material
conditions:
temper: Annealed (as printed)
alloy: 2017 family article, not 2017A specifically
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 (Wikipedia)
value: 22
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
temper: Annealed (as printed)
alloy: 2017 family article, not 2017A specifically
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
corrosion:
- environment: General service (supplier selection factor, no test conditions)
headline: One supplier rates the corrosion resistance of 2017 T4 as moderate.
effect: The Referans Metal selection factors table rates corrosion resistance Moderate for the T4 product, 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
temper: T4
source: referansmetal-2017
where: Selection Factors table, row Corrosion Resistance
- environment: General service (supplier datasheet, no test conditions)
headline: A second supplier describes the corrosion resistance of 2017A as good.
effect: The Smith Metal 2017A datasheet lists good corrosion resistance among its key features. The same page says that traditional welding is not possible because welding would change the corrosion resistance. No test result is given. The two supplier ratings (moderate and good) disagree, so neither is a test result.
rating: low
conditions:
basis: qualitative key-features statement only; the supplier word is Good corrosion resistance, stored on the site scale as low
test: none stated
source: smith-2017a
where: Key Features list, Good corrosion resistance; Introduction text on welding
risks:
hazards:
- text: The Hydro Extrusion safety data sheet for wrought 2xxx series alloys lists aluminum (CAS 7429-90-5, 85 to 97 %) with the GHS classes Flam. Sol. 1 H228, Water-react. 2 H261 and a combustible dust class. It covers the whole 2xxx family, not 2017A alone, so the classes are a family-level reading.
ghs:
- H228
- H261
source: hydro-2xxx-sds
where: Section 2.1 and Section 3.2 Mixture table, row Aluminum
- 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. It also says that metallic dusts may ignite or explode.
ghs: []
source: hydro-2xxx-sds
where: Section 2.3 Other Hazards
failure_risks:
- mode: Poor weld joints
trigger: Fusion welding of 2017A parts (the Smith and AircraftMaterials datasheets say only resistance welding is suitable)
consequence: The Smith datasheet says welding is not recommended and that welding would change the corrosion resistance. The supplier also rates weldability Moderate. No weld-strength figure was found.
severity: moderate
source: smith-2017a
where: Key Features list (Welding not recommended); Introduction text
- mode: Low strength from short or incomplete natural ageing
trigger: Solution treatment at 490 °C with natural ageing for 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 used a scrap-based lab ingot, not a commercial product.
severity: moderate
source: pmc-2017a
where: Table 7, rows 4 h at 490 °C and 70 h at 510 °C, column R0.2 (MPa)
- mode: Surface corrosion of unprotected parts
trigger: Long exposure in service environments
consequence: The suppliers rate corrosion resistance as moderate (Referans Metal) and good (Smith Metal). 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 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 dust may be toxic to aquatic life, and it says to avoid breathing dust or fume (P260).
source: hydro-2xxx-sds
where: Section 2.3 and precautionary statement P260
- text: Do not allow water or moist air to contact the material during processing, and treat the dust as combustible. The Hydro sheet says product dust is combustible and that care is needed to minimise dust generation.
source: hydro-2xxx-sds
where: Section 7, Additional Hazards When Processed
- 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 the suppliers disagree on the corrosion rating.
source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
where: Typical Mechanical Properties table, compared with referansmetal-2017 Mechanical Properties and Selection Factors tables
mitigations: []
uses:
- application: structures
device: Solid rivets and fasteners (2017A-T42 wire for solid rivets)
example: Total Materia lists an aerospace specification, EN 2116:2009, for aluminium alloy 2017A-T42 as wire for solid rivets with diameter up to 10 mm. The Smith datasheet lists rivets and fasteners as applications.
source: totalmateria-2017a
where: Header section, aerospace line EN 2116:2009; Smith Metal datasheet, Applications list
- application: structures
device: High-strength structural components, aircraft and machine construction
example: The AircraftMaterials datasheet says Alloy 2017 (2017A) is used for high-strength structural components, and lists aircraft, machine construction, military equipment and rivets. The Smith datasheet also lists aerospace components.
source: aircraftmaterials-2017a
where: Technical Data Sheet introduction, Uses text; Smith Metal datasheet, Applications list
- application: structures
device: Dry (unpressurised) rocket compartments, made of duralumin
example: Metinvest says duralumin is used in so-called dry rocket compartments, and that duralumin parts are typically riveted or bolted because the material has low weldability. The article does not name 2017 or 2017A, so this use is for the historical duralumin family and is not confirmed for the 2017A grade.
source: metinvest-rocket-tanks
where: Duralumin section and riveting section 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:
- list: USGS 2025 List of Critical Minerals, entry Aluminum, used in almost all sectors of the economy
listed: true
recycling: 'USGS: in 2025 about 3.6 million tons of aluminum were recovered from purchased scrap in the United States. Old-scrap recovery was equivalent to about 28 % of apparent consumption.'
substitutes:
- 'USGS: composites can substitute for aluminum in aircraft fuselages and wings. Glass, paper, plastics and steel can substitute in packaging.'
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. Recycling and Substitutes sections. Critical list: USGS 2025 final list (usgs-crit2025).'
documents:
- title: 'AircraftMaterialsUK: Aluminium Alloy 2017 / 2017A technical data sheet'
type: datasheet
url: https://www.aircraftmaterials.com/data/aluminium/2017a.html
year: 2026
- title: 'Referans Metal: AMS 4110 / AlCu4MgSi / 2017 / T4 product page'
type: datasheet
url: https://referansmetal.com/alasimli-aluminyum/product/335/uzay-havacilik-savunma/cubuk-lama/ams-4110-alcu4mgsi-2017-t4?lang=en
year: 2026
- title: 'Smith Metal Centres: 2017A Aluminium Product Datasheet'
type: datasheet
url: https://www.smithmetal.com/pdf/aluminium/2xxx/2017a.pdf
year: 2023
- title: 'Wikipedia: 2017 aluminium alloy (composition, thermal and mechanical properties)'
type: database
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_aluminium_alloy
year: 2026
- 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: 'USGS: About the 2025 List of Critical Minerals (final list of 60 minerals)'
type: report
url: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/mineral-resources-program/science/about-2025-list-critical-minerals
year: 2025
- title: 'Total Materia: EN AW-2017A aluminium alloy (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
- 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
gaps:
- No spacecraft, satellite or launch-vehicle record for the 2017A grade was found. The Metinvest article mentions duralumin in dry rocket compartments but does not name 2017 or 2017A. The Wikipedia 2017 article has no aerospace or rocket text.
- No corrosion test data (salt spray, ASTM B117, ASTM G34 or G66, exfoliation, stress corrosion) for 2017A was found. A web search returned none for this grade. Only the supplier ratings are recorded, and they disagree (moderate at Referans Metal, good at Smith Metal).
- Electrical conductivity is not recorded. The Referans Metal page prints 37 % IACS under an Electrical Resistivity label, and the unit conflicts with the label, so the value was left out.
- Magnesium range differs between sources. 0.40 to 1.0 wt% for 2017A (AircraftMaterials EAA column, Smith, Referans Metal); 0.40 to 0.8 wt% for the US 2017 limit (AircraftMaterials and Wikipedia); 0.4 to 1.8 wt% in the PMC Table 2 standard row. The 0.4 to 1.0 range was used for 2017A, and the PMC 1.8 value was not used.
- Titanium is listed separately for 2017 (0.15 max) but as Zr plus Ti 0.25 max for 2017A (Smith and AircraftMaterials EAA column). The combined limit is recorded.
- The brinell_hardness benchmark name is not in property-canon.yaml. The Brinell value is recorded with that short snake_case name.
- The shear strength of 262 MPa printed on the Referans Metal T4 page is not recorded, because no shear-strength name exists in property-canon.yaml.
- The measured composition in the PMC paper (a scrap-based laboratory ingot) is not entered as a property.
- Wikipedia values are labelled 2017 because that article covers the 2017 family, not the 2017A grade alone. They are kept as family values.
- Radiation effects, atomic oxygen erosion, outgassing and cryogenic properties were not looked up for this grade.
- Smith Metal's minimum tensile, yield and elongation for 2017 round bar match the AircraftMaterials 2017-T4 bar minima. They are recorded once, from AircraftMaterials.
sources:
aircraftmaterials-2017a:
title: 'AircraftMaterialsUK: Aluminium Alloy 2017 / 2017A'
id: UNS A92017, Werkstoff Nr. 3.1325, ASTM B211 and B316, AMS 4118, AIR 9051A
url: https://www.aircraftmaterials.com/data/aluminium/2017a.html
year: 2026
kind: datasheet
license: Supplier web page (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)
smith-2017a:
title: Smith Metal Centres, 2017A Aluminium Product Datasheet
url: https://www.smithmetal.com/pdf/aluminium/2xxx/2017a.pdf
year: 2023
kind: datasheet
license: Supplier datasheet (cited, not reproduced)
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)
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)
usgs-crit2025:
title: About the 2025 List of Critical Minerals (USGS, final list of 60 minerals)
id: Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals
url: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/mineral-resources-program/science/about-2025-list-critical-minerals
year: 2025
kind: web
license: public domain (USGS)
totalmateria-2017a:
title: 'Total Materia: EN AW-2017A Aluminium Alloy (designations and equivalent materials)'
id: EN AW-2017A, EN 2116:2009, AlCu4MgSi(A), AlCuMg1, 2017A (JIS)
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)'
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)
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)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-10-26'
review:
status: draft
method: assistant
checked_values: 24
unreachable: 1
caveats: 5
note: 'Values were read by an AI assistant on 2026-10-26 from the pages named in each entry. Aalco 2017A datasheet fetched but contained no property values. Caveats: strengths are supplier minimum or lab values for different forms and tempers; Wikipedia values are for the 2017 family; the 2017A grade''s space use is not confirmed; the hazard classes are for the whole 2xxx family; the corrosion ratings from two suppliers disagree.'
story:
recipe:
line: 2017A is a wrought Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Si alloy. Copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and silicon are its main alloying elements (Wikipedia). The T4 temper is made by solution treatment, water quenching and natural ageing at about 25 °C. The PMC 2020 study held samples at 490, 500 and 510 °C for 6 h before water quenching, and the paper notes that the standard solution range for this alloy is narrower than the range it tested. The composition below is the standard limit range, not a measured value.
parts:
- name: Aluminium
symbol: Al
share: balance of the composition
role: The matrix of the alloy. It makes up the balance of the composition.
- name: Copper
symbol: Cu
share: 3.5 to 4.5 wt%
role: Named by Wikipedia among the main alloying elements. The AircraftMaterials and Smith limits both print 3.5 to 4.5 wt%.
- name: Magnesium
symbol: Mg
share: 0.4 to 1.0 wt%
role: Named by Wikipedia among the main alloying elements. The 2017A (EAA) limit is 0.4 to 1.0 wt%; the US 2017 limit is 0.4 to 0.8 wt%.
- name: Manganese
symbol: Mn
share: 0.4 to 1.0 wt%
role: Alloying element named among the main elements, and printed with the same range in all sources.
- name: Silicon
symbol: Si
share: 0.2 to 0.8 wt%
role: Alloying element named among the main elements.
- name: Iron
symbol: Fe
share: 0.7 wt% max
role: Impurity limit. Iron is named among the main elements in the Wikipedia article, but it is printed as a maximum.
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 2017A 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: Both the Smith and AircraftMaterials datasheets say only resistance welding is suitable. The Smith sheet says welding would change the corrosion resistance, and the Referans sheet rates weldability Moderate.
- 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 suppliers disagree: moderate at Referans Metal and good at Smith Metal. 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: 2017A is an aircraft-type alloy that is strong for its weight and easy to machine in the T4 temper. One supplier page gives a density of 2.79 g/cm3, a yield strength of 276 MPa and a tensile strength of 427 MPa in T4. The AircraftMaterials and Smith datasheets give a minimum tensile strength of 379 MPa for T4 round bar. It is used for high-strength structures and solid rivets, and older duralumin-type parts were riveted or bolted into rocket compartments because welding was difficult.
uses:
- where: Solid rivets and fasteners
line: Total Materia lists an aerospace specification, EN 2116:2009, for aluminium alloy 2017A-T42 as wire for solid rivets. The Smith datasheet lists rivets and fasteners as applications.
- where: Aircraft structures
line: AircraftMaterials says the alloy is used for high-strength structural components, and lists aircraft, machine construction, military equipment and rivets. Smith lists aerospace components.
- where: Dry rocket compartments (duralumin family)
line: Metinvest says duralumin is used in so-called dry rocket compartments, joined by riveting or bolting. The article does not name grade 2017 or 2017A.
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 in T4. The Wikipedia 2017 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 2017 article gives 69 MPa yield and 179 MPa tensile strength, with 22 % elongation.
compare: Among the aluminium alloys on this site, 2017A 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 for this alloy and its family, 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 suppliers rate weldability Moderate or say welding is not recommended.
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 Total Materia and AircraftMaterials sources.
- Light structural parts where a density near 2.79 g/cm3 is wanted.
watch_out:
- 'Weldability: only resistance welding is suitable, and one supplier says welding is not recommended.'
- 'Corrosion: the suppliers disagree (moderate and good), 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 2017A grade is not confirmed by any source read here.
verdict: 2017A is a strong, machinable Al-Cu-Mg alloy for aircraft-type structures and solid rivets, with strength that depends on its temper. It is hard to weld, its corrosion rating is disputed, and the sources here do not confirm a flight record for the grade.
References
Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.