2219 T351 Aluminum

2219-T351 aluminum alloy is a high-strength aluminum alloy typically used in aerospace applications as well as other high-performance applications, such as rocket, spacecraft, and aircraft structural components. It belongs to the 2219 series of aluminum alloys, containing a high proportion of copper (Cu), offering excellent strength, good corrosion resistance, and high-temperature performance. The T351 temper is a specific heat treatment condition for this alloy, providing particular mechanical properties and advantages for specific applications.

2219 T351 Aluminum Heat Treatment Process

• Solution Heat Treatment: This step involves heating the aluminum alloy to a specific temperature range (typically 520-550°C) to dissolve the alloy's solid solution. This process dissolves the strengthening phases (such as copper-based phases) into the aluminum matrix, preparing it for subsequent aging hardening.
• Stress Relieving: After solution heat treatment, the aluminum alloy typically undergoes cooling followed by stress relieving. This process aims to release the residual stresses caused by temperature changes and processing within the alloy, preventing deformation during subsequent processing. Stress relieving is usually performed at lower temperatures (around 155-190°C) and can enhance the material's stability.
• Natural Aging: After solution heat treatment and stress relieving, the aluminum alloy naturally ages at room temperature (i.e., left at ambient temperature for some time). Natural aging allows the dissolved strengthening phases to precipitate out, improving the strength of the alloy. Compared to artificial aging, natural aging is slower but maintains higher toughness and ductility.

2219 T351 Aluminum Mechanical Properties

2219 T351 Aluminum Properties

• Balance of Strength and Ductility: The T351 condition of 2219 aluminum alloy provides high strength and good ductility, making it suitable for applications that require both tensile and shear load resistance while maintaining certain plasticity. For example, it is used in structural frames, brackets, and panels of aircraft and spacecraft, where components need to have a certain toughness and corrosion resistance while also withstanding high-strength loads.
• Corrosion Resistance: 2219 aluminum alloy has good corrosion resistance, especially suitable for aerospace and marine environments. It maintains good performance in extreme climatic conditions, particularly in high-temperature and high-humidity environments.
• High-Temperature Performance: Due to the copper content in the aluminum alloy, 2219 alloy can withstand higher operating temperatures, typically used in temperatures as high as 200°C for long-term use, making it suitable for engine components or structural parts in high-temperature environments.
• Weldability: 2219 aluminum alloy in the T351 condition has good weldability, making it suitable for the manufacture of complex structural components requiring welding. It maintains good strength and toughness after welding, which is why it is commonly used in welded structures in aerospace, aviation, and other high-performance industries.

2219 T351 Aluminum Applications

• Aerospace: Due to its high strength and high-temperature resistance, 2219-T351 aluminum alloy is widely used in structural components of rockets and spacecraft, such as fuel tanks, conduits, payload supports, and frames. Its high strength and good ductility enable it to work in high-stress environments.
• Aviation: It is suitable for aerospace structural components that require high strength and certain ductility, such as aircraft fuselage frames, supports, and panels.
• Other High-Performance Applications: 2219-T351 is also suitable for other engineering applications where strength and temperature resistance are combined, such as military spacecraft, satellite components, and some high-strength mechanical components.

2219 T351 Aluminum Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of 2219 T351 Aluminum

• Provides a good balance of strength and ductility.
• Excellent corrosion resistance, especially suitable for aerospace and marine environments.
• High-temperature resistance, suitable for high-temperature applications.
• Good weldability, suitable for manufacturing complex structures.

Disadvantages of 2219 T351 Aluminum

Compared to other aluminum alloys, the fatigue strength of T351 condition 2219 aluminum alloy is relatively low, making it unsuitable for applications with high cyclic loads.

Under extreme high-strength or high-fatigue load conditions, it may not perform as well as other heat-treated alloys like T851.

2219-T351 aluminum alloy, obtained through solution heat treatment, stress relieving, and natural aging, has good strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance. It is suitable for aerospace and other structural components that require certain ductility and medium strength, particularly in high-temperature and high-strength applications.