2014 aluminium alloy explained

2014 aluminium alloy (aluminum) is an aluminium-based alloy often used in the aerospace industry.^[1]

It is easily machined in certain tempers, and among the strongest available aluminium alloys, as well as having high hardness. However, it is difficult to weld, as it is subject to cracking.^[2]

2014 is the second most popular of the 2000-series aluminium alloys, after 2024 aluminium alloy. It is commonly extruded and forged. The corrosion resistance of this alloy is particularly poor. To combat this, it is often clad with pure aluminium. If unclad 2014 aluminium is to be exposed to the elements, it should be painted as a corrosion protection measure.^[3]

Prior to the adoption of The Aluminum Association alloy designations in 1954, 2014 was known by the industry conventional designation "14S".^[4]

Chemical composition

The alloy composition of 2014 is:

• Aluminium

Remainder

• Chromium

0.1% max

• Copper

3.9% - 5%

• Iron

0.7% max

• Magnesium

0.2% - 0.8%

• Manganese

0.4 - 1.2%

• Remainder: Each 0.05% max
• Remainder: Total 0.15% max
• Silicon

0.5% - 1.2%

• Titanium

0.15% max

• Titanium + Zinc: 0.2% max
• Zinc

0.25% max

2014A Aluminium Alloy

2014A is an alloy of aluminium that is very similar (but not entirely identical) to 2014. Because of the naming similarity, the two can be confused. The alloy composition of 2014A is:

• Aluminium

Remainder

• Chromium

0.1% max

• Copper

3.9% - 5%

• Iron

0.5% max (versus 0.7 for 2014)

• Magnesium

0.2% - 0.8%

• Manganese

0.4 - 1.2%

• Remainder: Each 0.05% max
• Remainder: Total 0.15% max
• Silicon

0.5% - 0.9% (versus 0.5-1.2 for 2014)

• Titanium

0.15% max

• Titanium + Zinc: 0.2% max
• Zinc

0.25% max

Properties

Typical material properties for 2014 aluminium alloy are:^[5]

• Density: 2.80 g/cm³, or 175 lb/ft³.
• Young's modulus: 73 GPa, or 11 Msi.
• Electrical conductivity: 34 to 50% IACS.
• Ultimate tensile strength: 190 to 480 MPa, or 28 to 70 ksi.
• Thermal Conductivity: 130 to 190 W/m-K.
• Thermal Expansion: 23 μm/m-K.

Standards

2014 aluminium alloy is discussed in the following standards:

• ASTM B 209: Standard Specification for Aluminium and Aluminium-Alloy Sheet and Plate
• ASTM B 210: Standard Specification for Aluminium and Aluminium-Alloy Drawn Seamless Tubes
• ASTM B 211: Standard Specification for Aluminium and Aluminium-Alloy Bar, Rod, and Wire
• ASTM B 221: Standard Specification for Aluminium and Aluminium-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes

Further reading

• "Properties of Wrought Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys: 2014, Alclad 2014". Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials, Vol 2, ASM Handbook, ASM International, 1990, p. 67-68.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Datasheets - Aluminium Alloy - BS-L - L168 T6511 - 2014A Bar Smiths Metals Ltd . 2012-11-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190920071009/https://www.smithmetal.com/2014a.htm . 2019-09-20 . dead .
2. Web site: 2014 Aluminum Material Property Data Sheet - Product availability and request a quote.
3. Marks' Standard handbook for Mechanical Engineers, 8th Ed., McGraw Hill, pp. 6-50 to 6-56
4. Book: Oberg, Erik . Machinery's Handbook . limited . 27th . 2004 . Industrial Press Inc . 578 . 978-0-8311-2700-8. etal.
5. http://www.makeitfrom.com/material-properties/2014-3.1255-H15-A92014-Aluminum/ 2014 (3.1255, H15, A92014) Aluminum