Aluminum 2014-T6: High-Strength Aerospace Structural Alloy
ASTM B209/B211 / AMS 4023 · Published: 2026-06-24 · Updated: July 2026
Aluminum 2014-T6 is a high-strength wrought aluminum-copper alloy that competes with 7075 in aerospace structural applications. Its specific strength (strength-to-weight ratio) exceeds that of mild steel — making it a critical material for...
Aluminum 2014-T6 is a high-strength wrought aluminum-copper alloy that competes with 7075 in aerospace structural applications. Its specific strength (strength-to-weight ratio) exceeds that of mild steel — making it a critical material for aircraft wing skins, fuselage frames, and military vehicle armor plate where every pound saved translates to payload capacity or fuel efficiency.
The alloy achieves its T6 temper through solution heat treatment at 502°C, cold water quenching, and artificial aging at 160°C for 18 hours. The primary strengthening precipitate is Al₂Cu (theta phase). 2014 offers superior elevated-temperature strength compared to 7075 — it maintains useful strength up to 200°C, making it suitable for supersonic aircraft skin applications where aerodynamic heating is significant. The tradeoff: 2014 has lower corrosion resistance than 6061 or 7075 and typically requires cladding (alclad) or protective coating for service in corrosive environments.
Quick Facts
| Category | |
| Standard | ASTM B209/B211 / AMS 4023 |
| Density | 2.80 g/cm³ |
| Yield Strength | 415 MPa (60 ksi) |
| Tensile Strength | 485 MPa (70 ksi) |
Global Equivalents & Cross-Reference
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 2014, 2024, and 7075 aluminum?
2014: highest strength at elevated temperatures, good forgeability, lower toughness. 2024: best fatigue resistance and fracture toughness of the 2xxx series, the dominant aircraft fuselage skin alloy. 7075: highest room-temperature strength of any aluminum alloy, used for wing spars and highly stressed structural members, lower corrosion resistance than 2024. All three require protective coating or cladding for corrosive environments — none is inherently corrosion-resistant like 6061.
Can 2014-T6 be welded?
Not recommended. 2014 is considered unweldable by conventional fusion welding processes (GTAW, GMAW) — the copper content (3.9-5.0%) causes hot cracking in the weld zone and the T6 temper is destroyed in the HAZ. Friction stir welding (FSW) can successfully join 2014 and is increasingly used in aerospace manufacturing. For conventional joining, use mechanical fasteners (rivets, bolts) or adhesive bonding. For weldable high-strength aluminum, consider 6061-T6 or 7022.
References & International Standards
- ASTM International. Standard Specifications for Steel & Metal Alloys. astm.org
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Metallic Materials — Cross-Reference Database. iso.org
- American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Steel Grade Designations & Equivalents. steel.org
- European Committee for Standardization (CEN). EN Steel Standards & Numbering System. cencenelec.eu
Aluminum & Lightweight Alloys — Engineering Reference
Non-ferrous metals — aluminum, copper, titanium, zinc, magnesium — serve applications where steel cannot: electrical conductivity, thermal management, weight reduction, corrosion resistance in specific chemical environments. Each metal family has its own classification system and selection logic.
ASTM B209/B221 (Al), ASTM B152/B187 (Cu), ASTM B265/B348 (Ti), ASTM B86 (Zn), ASTM B90/B91 (Mg)
Electrical wiring and busbars (Cu), aircraft structures and automotive bodies (Al), medical implants and aerospace fasteners (Ti), die-cast consumer products (Zn), lightweight electronic enclosures (Mg)
Galvanic corrosion is the #1 failure mode in multi-metal assemblies. When joining dissimilar metals, consult the galvanic series: the more anodic metal will corrode preferentially. Use isolating washers, protective coatings, or select metals close together on the galvanic series.