Aluminum 2036: Composition, Properties, Temper Guide & Applications

Comprehensive Overview

Alloy 2036 belongs to the 2xxx series of aluminum alloys, a family dominated by copper as the principal alloying element. Its metallurgy and performance traits follow the Al–Cu–(Mg, Mn) paradigm common to 2xxxs, where copper drives precipitation strengthening and manganese or other minor additions tailor grain structure and workability.

The primary strengthening mechanism for 2036 is age hardening (precipitation strengthening) via solution treatment, quenching and artificial aging to form fine Al2Cu and related precipitation phases. The alloy can also be cold worked to raise strength in non-heat-treated tempers, but peak properties are achieved through heat treatment sequences (T- tempers).

Key traits of 2036 include relatively high strength for an aluminum alloy, moderate-to-poor intrinsic corrosion resistance compared with 5xxx/6xxx-series alloys, and moderate formability in annealed conditions. Weldability is fair to poor in heat-treated tempers due to HAZ softening and risk of porosity; machinability is typically good to very good relative to many Al alloys because of the matrix hardness and chip formation characteristics.

Typical industries using 2036 or similar 2xxx alloys include aerospace components (where specific strength and fatigue resistance matter), high-performance automotive structures and suspension components, defense platforms, and specialized structural applications where strength-to-weight ratio and damage tolerance are prioritized. Engineers choose 2036 over other alloys when a balance of high specific strength, good fatigue resistance, and acceptable machinability is required, and when corrosion exposure can be mitigated by coating, cladding, or design.

Temper Variants

Temper	Strength Level	Elongation	Formability	Weldability	Notes
O	Low	High (20–30%)	Excellent	Excellent	Fully annealed, best for forming and drawing
H12	Low–Medium	Moderate (10–18%)	Good	Good	Light work-hardening, limited strengthening
H14	Medium	Moderate (8–15%)	Fair	Fair	Strain-hardened, common for sheet applications
H18	High	Low (2–8%)	Poor	Poor	Heavily cold-worked, high strength from strain
T3	Medium–High	Moderate (8–15%)	Good (with limits)	Poor	Solution heat-treated and naturally aged or stabilized
T4	Medium	Moderate (8–15%)	Good	Poor	Solution-treated and naturally aged, softer than T6
T6	High	Low–Moderate (6–12%)	Limited	Challenging	Solution-treated and artificially aged, peak strength
T651	High	Low–Moderate (6–12%)	Limited	Challenging	Solution-treated, stress-relieved by stretching, artificially aged

The temper chosen for 2036 strongly affects its mechanical performance and manufacturability. Annealed (O) and lightly strain-hardened H-tempers are preferred for deep drawing and complex forming, while T6/T651 offer maximum static strength and fatigue resistance at the cost of formability and weldability.

In welded or joined structures, designers often specify a compromise temper (e.g., T3 or modified sequences) or use cladding/patching to retain acceptable corrosion resistance and avoid HAZ softening that arises when peak-aged temper is subjected to welding thermal cycles.

Chemical Composition

Element	% Range	Notes
Si	0.15 max	Impurity control; too much reduces ductility and promotes eutectics
Fe	0.50 max	Common impurity; forms intermetallics that reduce ductility
Cu	3.5–4.5	Principal strengthening element; improves strength and fatigue, reduces corrosion resistance
Mn	0.2–0.9	Grain structure control, improves toughness and resistance to recrystallization
Mg	0.2–1.0	Synergizes with Cu to form strengthening precipitates; influences aging kinetics
Zn	0.25 max	Minor, can slightly increase strength; excessive amounts reduce SCC resistance
Cr	0.10 max	Microstructure control, retards grain growth during heat treatment
Ti	0.15 max	Grain refiner added during casting/extrusion processing
Others (each)	0.05–0.15	Residuals and trace elements; collectively limited to maintain predictable precipitation behavior

The composition of 2036 is tailored to maximize precipitation hardening efficiency while retaining reasonable workability and fatigue performance. Copper is the dominant element driving strength through Al–Cu precipitates, while small additions of Mg and Mn modify precipitate chemistry and grain structure, improving toughness and enabling thermomechanical processing windows compatible with structural components.

Mechanical Properties

Under tensile loading, 2036 demonstrates the classic precipitation-hardened aluminum behavior: low yield strength in the annealed condition and substantial increases after solution treatment and artificial aging. Tensile curves typically show relatively high ultimate strength for Al alloys, with yield-to-tensile ratios that indicate moderate strain-hardening capacity prior to necking.

Yield strength in annealed sheet is relatively low, enabling forming, while in T6-like tempers the yield approaches a significant fraction of ultimate strength, reducing elongation. Fatigue behavior is favorable compared with many non-heat-treatable alloys due to the precipitate structure and the alloy’s ability to maintain localized strength, but corrosion-assisted fatigue can be an issue in aggressive environments.

Hardness rises markedly with aging; Brinell or Rockwell hardness shows a strong correlation with tensile and yield strength in the T-tempers. Thickness and section size affect achievable properties: thicker sections are more difficult to solution treat uniformly, and coarse-grained or cast sections may have lower peak strengths and altered fatigue response.

Property	O/Annealed	Key Temper (T6/T651)	Notes
Tensile Strength (MPa)	180–260	400–480	Strength depends on section thickness and aging; values are typical ranges for 2xxx-series structural sheet and plate
Yield Strength (MPa)	80–150	300–360	Yield increases significantly after peak aging; yield/tensile ratio rises in T6
Elongation (%)	20–30	6–12	Ductility drops with precipitation hardening; elongation depends on temper and section geometry
Hardness (HB)	30–60	110–150	Substantial hardness increase with T6; hardness correlates to tensile properties and machinability

Physical Properties

Property	Value	Notes
Density	~2.78 g/cm³	Slightly higher than some Al alloys due to Cu content; impacts specific strength calculations
Melting Range	~500–640 °C	Solidus–liquidus range influenced by alloying; precludes certain high-temp processing
Thermal Conductivity	~120 W/m·K (approx.)	Lower than pure Al due to alloying; still good for heat dissipation applications
Electrical Conductivity	~30–40 % IACS (approx.)	Reduced compared with purer Al alloys because of copper and other solutes
Specific Heat	~0.9 J/g·K	Typical for aluminum alloys; relevant for thermal cycling and quench calculations
Thermal Expansion	~23–24 µm/m·K	Typical aluminum CTE; important in mixed-metal assemblies and thermal stress analyses

2036’s physical property set is characteristic of copper-bearing aluminums: thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity are lower than purer Al grades but remain favorable relative to steels, and density is slightly elevated, affecting component mass calculations. Thermal expansion is similar to other Al alloys, so design considerations for differential expansion remain typical of aluminum structures.

Thermal properties influence processing choices: slower quench paths or inadequate quench severity can change aging response, and thicker sections hold heat longer, complicating solution treatments and raising risk of non-uniform properties.

Product Forms

Form	Typical Thickness/Size	Strength Behavior	Common Tempers	Notes
Sheet	0.3–6 mm	Good uniformity for thin gauges	O, H14, T3, T6	Common for body panels, fairing, small structural parts
Plate	6–100+ mm	Reduced quenchability in thick sections	O, T6 (limited)	Thicker plates may be used in machined structural parts after aging
Extrusion	Complex profiles, variable	Strength depends on TMT and age schedule	T6 (aged) or T4 (aged)	Extrudability depends on Mg/Mn balance and billet control
Tube	1–10 mm wall	Strength similar to sheet in analogous tempers	O, H18, T6	Welded and drawn tubes used for structural members
Bar/Rod	6–200 mm	Good for machined components	T6, O	Bars often supplied pre-aged for machinability and stability

Form influences achievable property set: thin sheet can be rapidly quenched and given full artificial aging (yielding T6-like properties), while thick plates often cannot be solution-treated uniformly, so they are supplied in softer tempers and then machined. Extrusions and wrought products rely on careful billet composition and homogenization to avoid segregation that degrades performance.

Manufacturing routes differ: sheet/plate typically derive from rolling and subsequent heat treatments, extrusions require billet homogenization and careful die design, and tubing/rod often use drawing or extrusion plus straightening. Choice of form is driven by both geometry and required mechanical/thermal properties.

Equivalent Grades

Standard	Grade	Region	Notes
AA	2036	USA	Primary designation; composition and temper control per supplier specifications
EN AW	2036 / 2xxx-series	Europe	EN and ISO systems may list compatible alloys; verify exact composition and temper equivalence
JIS	A2036 (approx.)	Japan	Localized versions may exist; check JIS tables for exact chemical limits
GB/T	2xxx series equivalent	China	Chinese standards may list nearby equivalents; cross-reference chemistry rather than nominal name

Direct one-to-one equivalents for 2036 across all standards are not always published or exact due to regional naming and slightly differing composition limits. When substituting or sourcing internationally, engineers should compare the certified chemical composition, temper designations and mechanical data rather than relying solely on grade name; small differences in Cu or Mg content significantly alter precipitation behavior and aging response.

Corrosion Resistance

Atmospheric corrosion resistance of 2036 is moderate to poor relative to Al–Mg alloys, primarily due to copper that promotes localized corrosion and undermines the protective aluminum oxide layer in aggressive environments. In industrial or urban atmospheres, painted or coated 2036 can perform acceptably when design prevents crevice formation and allows for maintenance.

In marine and high-chloride environments 2036 requires careful protection: uncoated surfaces are susceptible to pitting and intergranular attack, and anodizing is of limited benefit unless combined with sealing or additional coatings. Cladding with high-purity aluminum (Alclad) or applying robust sacrificial coatings are common mitigation strategies for structural marine use.

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) is a concern for Cu-bearing, heat-treated alloys under tensile stress in corrosive environments; 2036 can be vulnerable, particularly in T6-like tempers and at elevated temperatures or in the presence of chlorides. Galvanic interactions must be considered in assembly design: 2036 will act anodic to copper and steel in many electrolytes and may corrode preferentially when electrically coupled without insulation.

Compared with 5xxx (Al–Mg) and 6xxx (Al–Mg–Si) families, 2036 trades corrosion resistance for higher strength and fatigue performance; designers typically select 2036 where mechanical performance is primary and corrosion is controlled by coatings, cladding, or part placement.

Fabrication Properties

Weldability

Weldability of 2036 is limited in heat-treated tempers because the fusion and heat-affected zones (HAZ) will experience dissolution or coarsening of strengthening precipitates, causing local softening. Gas tungsten arc (TIG) and gas metal arc (MIG) welding are possible in annealed or overaged conditions, but filler selection typically recommends Al–Cu filler alloys with matching mechanical behavior or Al–Si filler alloys to reduce hot-cracking sensitivity. Pre- and post-weld heat treatments are often impractical; designers should plan for mechanical reinforcement or design around welded joints to maintain joint integrity.

Machinability

Machinability of 2036 is generally good; the alloy machines well in T6 and softer tempers, producing short to medium chips and allowing for relatively high feed rates compared with many steels. Carbide tooling with positive rake angles and effective chip evacuation is recommended; lubrication and coolant help control built-up edge. Tool life is influenced by hardness (higher in T6), and finishing passes should account for residual stresses from quench and age treatments.

Formability

Formability is best in O and mild H-tempers where ductility is high and the alloy can undergo bending, drawing and stretch forming with moderate springback. In T6 and other peak-aged conditions, formability is limited and risk of cracking increases on tight bends; designers should use larger bend radii and consider pre-aging or solutionizing post-forming. Cold working can be used for final dimensional control, but retaining some temper softening via solution treatment and controlled aging often yields better dimensional stability for precision parts.

Heat Treatment Behavior

As a heat-treatable 2xxx-series alloy, 2036 responds to classical precipitation hardening sequences. Solution treatment typically involves heating to a temperature where Cu and Mg are in solid solution (often in the range of 500–540 °C depending on section size), holding to homogenize, and then rapid quenching to retain solute in a supersaturated solid solution. Quench rate is critical: insufficient quench severity leads to coarse precipitates and reduced age response.

Artificial aging (T6) follows quench and can be accomplished at temperatures typically in the 150–190 °C range for times calibrated to section thickness to develop peak strength. Natural aging (T4/T3 variants) may occur at room temperature for several days, producing a softer but more formable condition. T651 denotes stress relief (stretching) after solution and quench prior to aging to control residual stresses and distortion.

Non-heat-treatable strengthening is available through work hardening for H-tempers, and full anneal cycles are used for O condition. Overaging can be used intentionally to improve toughness and reduce susceptibility to SCC at the expense of peak strength.

High-Temperature Performance

2036 is not intended for sustained elevated-temperature service; the precipitation-strengthened microstructure coarsens as temperature increases, leading to progressive strength loss above roughly 120–150 °C. Short-term elevated-temperature exposure during brazing or welding can cause irreversible reductions in strength and toughness if not followed by proper thermal recovery processes.

Oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures is typical of aluminum alloys—formation of a protective oxide occurs rapidly but mechanical properties degrade with temperature. The heat-affected zone in welded structures shows particular vulnerability: temper-softening and altered precipitate distributions reduce local strength and fatigue life.

For components requiring sustained performance above ~150 °C, alternative high-temperature alloys (e.g., certain Al–Li or nickel-based materials) should be considered. 2036 can be used in short-term elevated-temperature scenarios with design margins and appropriate thermal management.

Applications

Industry	Example Component	Why 2036 Is Used
Automotive	Suspension components, structural brackets	High specific strength and good fatigue resistance for compact parts
Marine	Secondary superstructure, non-critical frames (with cladding)	Strength-to-weight advantages when corrosion is managed by coatings or cladding
Aerospace	Fittings, machined stiffeners, certain fittings	High static strength and fatigue properties where weight savings are critical
Electronics	Structural frames, heat spreader housings	Good thermal conductivity relative to steels combined with lower mass

2036 is typically selected for components that require a balance of elevated strength, machinability and acceptable fatigue characteristics but where environmental exposure is controlled. Its use tends to concentrate in applications where coatings, cladding, or design detailling mitigate corrosive exposure and where manufacturability benefits (machinability, heat-treatability) deliver value.

Selection Insights

When selecting 2036, prioritize use cases where high specific strength and good fatigue behavior are required and where corrosion can be addressed by surface treatment, sealing or cladding. Choose annealed or H-tempers for forming and T6/T651 for maximum strength and fatigue resistance, accepting reduced weldability.

Compared with commercially pure aluminum (1100), 2036 trades off electrical and thermal conductivity and extreme formability for substantially higher strength and better fatigue capacity; use 1100 when conductivity and formability dominate. Compared with work-hardened alloys like 3003 or 5052, 2036 provides higher peak strength but generally lower general corrosion resistance and poorer weldability; select 2036 when strength-to-weight and fatigue outweigh the service-environment corrosion concerns. Compared with common heat-treatables such as 6061/6063, 2036 can offer competitive or higher strength and better fatigue in certain conditions, but it typically has worse corrosion resistance; choose 2036 when its mechanical advantages (and machinability) matter more than maximum environmental robustness.

Closing Summary

Alloy 2036 is a copper-bearing, heat-treatable aluminum alloy that remains relevant where high specific strength, good fatigue resistance and excellent machinability are required and where corrosion can be mitigated by protective measures. Proper temper selection, heat treatment control and surface protection are key to unlocking its performance in modern structural and aerospace-influenced engineering applications.