What is aluminium 2014A?
2014A aluminium is a readily available high strength grade of commercial aluminium. The aerospace equivalents are L93 (plate), L157 (sheet) and L168 (bar). L168 is the most widely used aluminium bar alloy in the aerospace industry.
Supplied in a fully heat-treated condition, 2014A is a 4-5% copper alloy.
Similar or obsolete designation and trade names
The most common temper is T651, which is solution heat-treated, stress-relieved by stretching, and then artificially aged — although diameters under 10mm and over 203.2mm are typically supplied in T6 only.
Other tempers include
- T3 - Solution heat treated, cold worked and naturally aged
- T6511 - Solution heat treated and stress-relieved by stretching then artificially aged with minor straightening after aging - Equivalent to T4 condition.
Other designations for aluminium 2014A include
- International Standards: Al Cu4 Si Mg / AlCu4SiMg (ISO), UNS A92014, Duralumin
- UK Standards: BS L102 (Bars / Sections), BS L168 (Bars / Sections), BS1474 (Bar), BS1470 (Sheet/Plate), BS H15 (Former), HE15, H15
- US Standards: QQ-A-200/2, AMS 4121
- European Standards: W Nr. 3.1254 / 3.1255 (Germany), AlCuSiMn (DIN), 3.1255 (Werkstoff), Al-P12 (AECMA), A-U4SG (AFNOR), P-AlCu4.4MnMg3501 (Italy Old UNI), 9002/3 (Italy New UNI), 14-4338 (Sweden), AlCu4SiMn (Switzerland)
Main attributes
- High strength and hardness
- Excellent machinability and performance under stress
- Good fatigue resistance and toughness
- Moderate corrosion resistance
- Often used in highly stressed aerospace parts
- Commonly used in defence, structural, and general engineering applications
- Available in bar and plate forms
Common applications
- Structural components
- High technology market applications
- Aircraft structures & fittings
- Military vehicles
- Truck frames
- Bridges
Finishing & treatments
2014A is suitable for a range of finishings and treatments.
It is often hard anodised due to its poor corrosion resistance. If colour anodising is required, only dark colours should be considered.
2014A can also be plated and powder coated.
See our Finishing Processes page for further information on services that we can facilitate.
UK stock sizes
Here are the standard stock sizes/colours for 2014A in the UK. Please note we do not supply stock material, the information provided is purely for design and research purposes.
Example 2014A stock sizes
Stock sizes will vary depending on supplier. Please get in contact to discuss further.
2014A plate
1/2inch to 4 inch thickness
2014A round bar
1/2inch to 10inch diameter
Technical properties
2014A physical properties (T651 temper)
| Physical Properties | Value |
| Density | 2.82 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 535 °C |
| Thermal Expansion | 23 x10-6 /K |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 71 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 138 W/m.K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.045 x10-6 Ω.m |
Mechanical properties
Spec: BS EN 485-2:2008
| Mechanical Properties | Sheet
0.4mm to 6mm | Plate
6mm to 12.5mm | Plate
12.5mm to 40mm | Plate
40mm to 60mm | Plate
60mm to 80mm |
| Proof Stress | 390 Min MPa | 395 Min MPa | 400 Min MPa | 390 Min MPa | 380 Min MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 440 Min MPa | 450 Min MPa | 460 Min MPa | 450 Min MPa | 435 Min MPa |
| Hardness Brinell | 133 HB | 135 HB | 138 HB | 135 HB | 131 HB |
| Elongation A | - | 7 Min % | 6 Min % | 5 Min % | 4 Min % |
L168 mechanical properties (T6511 temper bar)
| Mechanical Properties | Up to & incl 2.5 | Over 2.5 up to & incl 10 | Over 10 up to & incl 25 | Over 25 up to & incl 75 | Over 75 up to & incl 100 | Over 100 up to & incl 150 | Over 150 up to & incl 200 |
| Proof Stress | 370 Min MPa | 385 Min MPa | 415 Min MPa | 440 Min MPa | 435 Min MPa | 420 Min MPa | 390 Min MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 415 Min MPa | 435 Min MPa | 460 Min MPa | 490 Min MPa | 480 Min MPa | 465 Min MPa | 435 Min MPa |
| Elongation | 6 Min % | 6 Min % | 7 Min % | 7 Min % | 7 Min % | 7 Min % | 7 Min % |
Typical chemical composition
Typical 2014A chemical composition (weight %)
| Weight (%) | Manganese | Iron | Copper | Magnesium | Silicon | Zinc | Titanium | Chromium | Nickel | Titanium + Zirconium | Aluminium | Others (Total) |
| min. | 0.40 | 0.00 | 3.90 | 0.20 | 0.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | Balance | 0.00 |
| max. | 1.20 | 0.50 | 5.00 | 0.80 | 0.90 | 0.25 | 0.15 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.20 | Balance | 0.15 |
Note for designers
2014A has high strength but poor corrosion resistance. Parts are often anodised in order to protect the surface of the metal. Should the extra strength not be critical, aluminium 6082 which has excellent corrosion resistance may be a better option.
2014A can be protected against atmospheric corrosion whilst in storage by being lightly coated with a Lanolin-based protective oil.
Please give us a call if you'd like to discuss the options.
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