2011-T3 Aluminum vs. 2024-T4 Aluminum
2011-T3 aluminum alloy and 2024-T4 aluminum alloy are both high-strength aluminum alloys, widely used in aerospace and other structural applications. Although these two alloys are similar in thermal and mechanical properties, they have significant differences in their specific elemental composition, processing methods, and applications.
- The characteristic of 2011-T3 aluminum alloy lies in its good electrical and thermal conductivity, making it suitable for precision machining applications requiring high electrical conductivity and heat dissipation. However, its strength is relatively low, making it unsuitable for structural applications that involve heavy loads.
- 2024-T4 aluminum alloy has higher strength and fatigue resistance, making it an important material in aerospace and other fields where high strength and structural integrity are critical, particularly for applications under high strength and long-term load.
2011-T3 Aluminum Alloy vs. 2024-T4 Aluminum Alloy Comparison Table
| Property | 2011-T3 Aluminum Alloy | 2024-T4 Aluminum Alloy |
| Composition | Mainly composed of aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu), with a high copper content (5.0%-6.0%) and small amounts of bismuth (Bi) and other elements. | Mainly composed of aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu), with a high copper content (3.8%-4.9%), and also contains magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn). |
| Heat Treatment | Solution heat treatment, strain hardening, and natural aging treatment. | Solution heat treatment followed by natural aging. |
| Strength | Relatively low (more suitable for low-strength applications). | High, with excellent tensile strength and fatigue resistance. |
| Electrical Conductivity | Excellent electrical conductivity, suitable for applications requiring good electrical performance. | Poor electrical conductivity, suitable for high-strength applications but with lower electrical performance. |
| Thermal Conductivity | Good thermal conductivity, suitable for applications requiring good thermal performance. | Poor thermal conductivity, suitable for applications where strength is prioritized over thermal performance. |
| Ductility | Relatively high, suitable for precision machining. | Relatively low, with high strength but poor ductility. |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good corrosion resistance, but not as strong as some other aluminum alloys. | Relatively low corrosion resistance, but can be improved through surface treatments. |
| Applications | Suitable for applications requiring good electrical performance, thermal performance, and precision machining. | Suitable for aerospace, high-strength structural, and applications requiring high fatigue resistance. |
2011 T3 Aluminum vs. 2024-T4 Aluminum Mechanical Properties
- 2011-T3 aluminum alloy has relatively low strength, making it suitable for applications that do not require particularly high strength. However, its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity makes it suitable for fields requiring high electrical and thermal conductivity.
- 2024-T4 aluminum alloy has higher tensile strength and yield strength, especially excelling in applications subject to high loads and fatigue. It is widely used in the aerospace field, where its higher fatigue strength enhances performance under dynamic loads.
| Property | 2011-T3 Aluminum | 2024-T4 Aluminum |
| Brinell Hardness | 95 | 120 |
| Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus (GPa) | 71 | 71 |
| Elongation at Break (%) | 12 | 16 |
| Fatigue Strength (MPa) | 120 | 140 |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.33 | 0.33 |
| Shear Modulus (GPa) | 27 | 27 |
| Shear Strength (MPa) | 220 | 290 |
| Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS) (MPa) | 360 | 480 |
| Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof) (MPa) | 280 | 310 |
2011 T3 Aluminum vs. 2024-T4 Aluminum Thermal Properties
- 2011-T3 aluminum alloy has a high thermal conductivity (150 W/m·K), making it suitable for applications that require high heat dissipation, such as electronic component cooling and heat exchangers.
- 2024-T4 aluminum alloy has a lower thermal conductivity (120 W/m·K), with a greater focus on performance in high-strength, high-fatigue structural applications. The melting point and specific heat capacity of both alloys are similar, but 2024-T4 has a lower solidus point, which may imply slightly lower performance in high-temperature environments.
| Property | 2011-T3 Aluminum | 2024-T4 Aluminum |
| Latent Heat of Fusion (J/g) | 390 | 390 |
| Maximum Temperature: Mechanical (°C) | 190 | 200 |
| Melting Completion (Liquidus) (°C) | 640 | 640 |
| Melting Onset (Solidus) (°C) | 540 | 500 |
| Specific Heat Capacity (J/kg-K) | 870 | 880 |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m-K) | 150 | 120 |
| Thermal Expansion (µm/m-K) | 23 | 23 |
2011 T3 Aluminum vs. 2024-T4 Aluminum Electrical Properties
2011-T3 aluminum alloy outperforms 2024-T4 in electrical conductivity, especially in terms of volume electrical conductivity (39% IACS) and weight electrical conductivity (110% IACS). As a result, 2011-T3 aluminum alloy is commonly used in electrical and electronic applications, such as cables, connectors, and other situations requiring good electrical conductivity.
| Property | 2011-T3 Aluminum | 2024-T4 Aluminum |
| Electrical Conductivity: Equal Volume (% IACS) | 39 | 30 |
| Electrical Conductivity: Equal Weight (% IACS) | 110 | 90 |
2011-T3 Aluminum vs. 2024-T4 Aluminum Alloy Composition
| Element | 2011-T3 Aluminum | 2024-T4 Aluminum |
| Aluminum (Al) (%) | 91.3 to 94.6 | 90.7 to 94.7 |
| Bismuth (Bi) (%) | 0.2 to 0.6 | 0 |
| Chromium (Cr) (%) | 0 | 0 to 0.1 |
| Copper (Cu) (%) | 5.0 to 6.0 | 3.8 to 4.9 |
| Iron (Fe) (%) | 0 to 0.7 | 0 to 0.5 |
| Lead (Pb) (%) | 0.2 to 0.6 | 0 |
| Magnesium (Mg) (%) | 0 | 1.2 to 1.8 |
| Manganese (Mn) (%) | 0 | 0.3 to 0.9 |
| Silicon (Si) (%) | 0 to 0.4 | 0 to 0.5 |
| Titanium (Ti) (%) | 0 | 0 to 0.15 |
| Zinc (Zn) (%) | 0 to 0.3 | 0 to 0.25 |
| Zirconium (Zr) (%) | 0 | 0 to 0.2 |
| Residuals (%) | 0 | 0 to 0.15 |
Comparison of Application Areas of 2011-T3 Aluminum Alloy and 2024-T4 Aluminum Alloy
Applications of 2011-T3 Aluminum Alloy
2011-T3 aluminum alloy is suitable for applications that require high electrical conductivity and good thermal conductivity, such as electrical equipment, radiators, and precision mechanical components. Its excellent electrical and thermal properties make it an ideal material for electronic components and heat exchangers. Additionally, 2011-T3 aluminum alloy is also commonly used in the manufacture of precision parts and components requiring good machinability, especially in high-precision machining processes where high machinability and surface quality are maintained.
Applications of 2024-T4 Aluminum Alloy
2024-T4 aluminum alloy is primarily used in aerospace and other high-strength structural applications, such as aircraft fuselage, wing frames, aerospace parts, and high-strength structural components. Its superior tensile strength and fatigue resistance make it highly suitable for components subjected to high loads and dynamic stresses. Especially in the aerospace industry, 2024-T4 aluminum alloy meets the performance requirements in high-speed, vibration, and complex load environments, making it the material of choice for aircraft structural components and other high-strength structural parts.
