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.