What is Aluminum A2017? Material Overview

Aluminum used in industrial applications is often employed as an alloy, and there are various types available. Aluminum A2017 ( EN AW−2017 equiv.), also known as duralumin, is one alloy known for its exceptional industrial properties, making it widely utilized. But what is Aluminum A2017 and what are its main features? In this article, we will explore the overview and characteristics of A2017 and discuss how it differs from similar materials.
Duralinum is an allumin alloy used in many industries for its high performance in different enviroments.
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What is Aluminum A2017?

Duralumin (A2017) is a type of aluminum alloy made of aluminum with additions of copper (3.5% ∼ 4.5%) and magnesium (0.40% ∼0.80%). While aluminum is an extremely lightweight metal, its weakness lies in its low strength. Pure aluminum, in fact, has a hardness of approximately 65HB. However, Duralumin has enhanced hardness, up to 105HB, thanks to its copper composition. Depending on the application environment, it is said to possess strength comparable to steel materials.

 

Moreover, A2017 is characterized by being lightweight, strong, and easily processable. As a result, it finds extensive use in materials for aircraft and mechanical components, to name a few.

 

Moreover, thanks to its magnesium composition, duralumin has a very high machinability, making it suitable for cutting and forging processes.

Advantages of Aluminum A2017

  • Lighter weight compared to carbon steel, among others.
  • Higher strength compared to other aluminum materials.
 

The specific gravity of A2017 is 2.79, which is significantly lower than the 7.8 of carbon steel. Being predominantly aluminum, which is inherently lightweight as a metal, is a major advantage. This makes it exceptionally light as a metallic material. Additionally, the inclusion of copper enhances its strength, giving it approximately 1.6 times the strength of pure aluminum.

Disadvantages of Aluminum A2017

  • Low weldability.
  • Inferior corrosion resistance.
 
 

Aluminum, in general, is not well-suited for welding due to the formation of oxide films and its high thermal conductivity. A2017 shares this characteristic, exhibiting low weldability. Drawbacks include the need for pre-removal of the oxide film, which has a higher melting point than the base material, and the tendency for unstable fusion due to the easy dissipation of heat from the base material.

 

Moreover, the addition of copper results in lower corrosion resistance compared to pure aluminum. In environments prone to corrosion, corrosion protection measures are essential. Duralumin, compared to general-purpose aluminum or pure aluminum, presents challenges in performing anodising treatment, so careful attention is needed when considering anodising treatment for corrosion protection

Differences within the Duralumin Family

In addition to A2017, there are other aluminum alloys referred to as Duralumin, such as A2024, known as Super Duralumin, and A7075. Although the densities of these alloys are similar, ranging from 2.79 to 2.8, there are differences in strength and properties.

 

Super Duralumin (A2024) has a higher content of copper and magnesium compared to A2017, resulting in increased strength. However, due to the higher copper content, its corrosion resistance is worse.

 

A7075 is an aluminum alloy with added copper, magnesium, and zinc, boasting the highest strength among Duralumins. Unlike normal Duralumin A2017, it is challenging to machine, and it is susceptible to issues such as stress corrosion cracking when exposed to a corrosive environment under tensile stress.

Differences from Stainless Steel and Iron

The most significant difference between Duralium A2017 and metal materials like stainless steel and iron is density. A2017 has less than half the density of stainless steel or iron. This makes A2017 increasingly used for components where weight reduction is crucial in recent years.

However, in terms of strength and weldability, A2017 is inferior to stainless steel and iron, requiring careful consideration during processing.

Conclusion

Duralumin A2017 is a type of aluminum alloy known as A2017. It involves the addition of copper and magnesium to aluminum, creating a metal that is both lightweight and strong. Due to its outstanding features, this alloy finds many applications in components for aircraft, ships or fastening components like screws and rivets. While it is lightweight, durable, and exhibits excellent workability, it falls short in terms of corrosion resistance and strength compared to materials like steel. It belongs to the Duralumin family, with counterparts such as Super Duralumin and Super Duper Duralumin, which boast even greater strength than A2017.

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