The aerospace industry imposes near-rigorous demands on materials: they must be lightweight, strong, fatigue-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and easy to process. Among many aluminum alloys, 2024 T851 high-strength aerospace aluminum plate is known as the “skeleton of the airframe,” offering exceptional mechanical properties and consistent formability. It has become the gold standard for aircraft structural components and high-end engineering manufacturing.

What is 2024 T851 Aluminum Alloy?

2024 aluminum alloy is a typical Al-Cu-Mg series high-strength, heat-treatable alloy with copper as the primary alloying element. After heat treatment, it achieves very high strength.

Chemical composition of 2024 aluminum alloy (%):

T851 temper refers to a sequence of solution heat treatment – stress-relief stretching – artificial aging. Compared to the common T4 or T6 tempers, T851 specifically emphasizes stress relief to minimize residual stress that can lead to warping or cracking.

Unique Advantages of T851 Temper

(1) High Strength

Typical tensile strength of ≥470 MPa

Yield strength ≥325 MPa

Especially suited for high-load, safety-critical aerospace components

(2) Excellent Fatigue Performance

Aircraft components endure repeated loading; T851’s heat treatment significantly extends fatigue life

Stress-relief stretching reduces the chance of micro-crack initiation

(3) Good Machinability and Formability

Low residual stress after stretch-straightening

Minimizes distortion during CNC milling, stamping, drilling

Suitable for precision machining of complex parts

(4) Outstanding Dimensional Stability

Uniform heat treatment and low internal stress

Ensures stable shapes and dimensions, avoiding deformation during service

(5) Corrosion Resistance

2024-T851 alloy has relatively lower corrosion resistance

In aerospace use, surface treatments such as anodizing, painting, or Alclad cladding are typically applied to enhance corrosion resistance

Aerospace-Grade 2024 Aluminum Plate Specifications

Mechanical Properties

Applications of 2024 T851 Aluminum Plate in Aerospace

Aircraft fuselage structures:
Used as the main framework of the aircraft, including fuselage skin, bulkheads, and stringers, which must withstand significant tensile and compressive loads.

Wing structural components:
Especially lower wing skins and webs of wing spars, which endure major tensile stresses during flight and demand superior strength and fatigue resistance.

Other critical load-bearing parts:
Landing gear components, fittings, high-strength bolts, hydraulic valve bodies—all requiring excellent strength and reliability.

Military and commercial aircraft:
2024 T851 is widely used in critical structural areas of various military and commercial aircraft, supporting weight reduction, performance improvements, and safety.

Comparison of 2024 T851 with Other Tempers