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2017 T351 Aluminum

2017-T351 Aluminum is the form of 2017 aluminum alloy in the T351 temper. This state of the alloy is obtained through specific heat treatment and aging processes, which significantly improve its strength, hardness, and durability.

2017-T351 aluminum alloy is a high-strength, fatigue-resistant alloy, particularly suitable for aerospace and military applications. Through solution heat treatment, stress relieving, and natural aging processes, it provides good mechanical properties. However, due to its relatively poor corrosion resistance, it usually requires additional protective measures.

T351 Temper 2017 Aluminum

  • Solution Heat Treatment: The aluminum alloy is heated to a specific temperature, typically between 500°C and 530°C, and held for a period of time to allow the alloying elements to dissolve fully.
  • Stress Relieving: After solution treatment, the material is rapidly cooled and stress relieved to reduce residual stresses inside the material.
  • Natural Aging: At room temperature, the aluminum alloy undergoes a natural aging process, during which the strength and hardness of the alloy gradually increase over time.

This treatment method enables 2017-T351 aluminum alloy to achieve high strength while maintaining good toughness and machinability.

2017 T351 Aluminum Applications

Aerospace Applications

2017-T351 aluminum alloy is widely used in aircraft fuselages, wings, skin, and other structural components, especially in parts that require high strength and fatigue resistance. Due to its excellent tensile strength and fatigue resistance, 2017-T351 aluminum alloy can withstand the high-stress pressures, vibrations, and fatigue loads encountered during aircraft flight, making it extensively used in both military and commercial aircraft structural components.

Military Applications

2017-T351 aluminum alloy also plays an important role in military aircraft and fighter jets. This alloy, with its high strength and good fatigue resistance, meets the strength requirements of military aircraft under extreme conditions. Additionally, despite its relatively poor corrosion resistance, surface treatments are usually applied to enhance its performance. Therefore, 2017-T351 aluminum alloy excels in military applications, particularly for fighter jet components that require high load-bearing capacity and durability.

Transportation Applications

2017-T351 aluminum alloy, with its high strength and excellent strength-to-weight ratio, is widely used in rail transport, automobiles, and high-speed trains. Its high strength ensures that vehicles and transportation equipment maintain structural integrity at high speeds, while the lightweight nature of the alloy also contributes to improved fuel efficiency and load capacity. As a result, this aluminum alloy is used in manufacturing train body structures, automobile chassis, and other key components, fulfilling the dual demands of strength and weight in the transportation industry.

Industrial Structural Applications

2017-T351 aluminum alloy is widely used in industrial structural components such as bridges and cranes, particularly in situations where high strength and repeated loading are required. Due to its excellent fatigue resistance and high yield strength, 2017-T351 aluminum alloy is used as a structural material in construction and heavy machinery, effectively resisting pressure and stress during long-term use. This ensures the stability and safety of the structure, making it especially suitable for high-load, high-fatigue environments.

Advantages and Disadvantages of 2017 T351 Aluminum

Advantages of 2017 T351 Aluminum

  • High Strength: Compared to other aluminum alloys, 2017-T351 aluminum alloy has exceptional tensile strength and yield strength, making it suitable for high-load applications.
  • Strong Fatigue Resistance: Even under prolonged and repeated stress, 2017-T351 aluminum alloy maintains good structural performance.
  • Good Machinability: Despite its high strength, 2017 aluminum alloy still has good machinability and weldability.

Disadvantages of 2017 T351 Aluminum

  • Poor Corrosion Resistance: Compared to some other aluminum alloys (like 6061), 2017 aluminum alloy has weaker corrosion resistance, and therefore requires surface coatings or other protective measures in use.
  • Difficult to Weld: Due to its high copper content, 2017 aluminum alloy is prone to hot cracking during welding, so special welding processes are required.

2017 T351 Aluminum Mechanical Properties

Property 2017-T351 Aluminum
Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus, GPa 71
Elongation at Break, % 13
Fatigue Strength, MPa 110
Poisson's Ratio 0.33
Shear Modulus, GPa 27
Shear Strength, MPa 250
Tensile Strength: Ultimate (UTS), MPa 420
Tensile Strength: Yield (Proof), MPa 250

2017 T351 Aluminum Thermal Properties

Property 2017-T351 Aluminum
Latent Heat of Fusion, J/g 390
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °C 190
Melting Completion (Liquidus), °C 640
Melting Onset (Solidus), °C 510
Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K 880
Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K 150
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K 24

2017 T351 Aluminum Electrical Properties

Property 2017-T351 Aluminum
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Volume, % IACS 38
Electrical Conductivity: Equal Weight (Specific), % IACS 110

Chemical Composition of 2017 T351 Aluminum

Element Composition(%)
Al REM
Si 0.20-0.80
Fe ≤0.70
Cu 3.50-4.50
Mn 0.40-1.0
Mg 0.40-0.80
Cr ≤0.10
Zn ≤0.25
Ti ≤0.15
other(each) ≤0.05
other(total) ≤0.15