Aluminum 8014: Composition, Properties, Temper Guide & Applications

Comprehensive Overview

Alloy 8014 is a member of the 8xxx series of aluminum alloys, commonly classed within the “other” or commercially designated 8xxx family rather than the classic 1xxx–7xxx series. The 8xxx family is heterogeneous and typically contains a mix of minor alloying elements such as silicon, iron, manganese, magnesium and trace amounts of copper, zinc, chromium and titanium; 8014 is formulated to balance formability, moderate strength and good corrosion performance for wrought products.

8014 is predominantly strengthened by cold work (strain hardening) rather than by classical T6-style age hardening, making it effectively a non-heat-treatable alloy in standard commercial practice; limited precipitation response can occur if the alloy contains measurable Mg and Cu but this is not the primary strengthening route. Key traits include moderate tensile strength, good ductility in annealed condition, reliable surface quality for forming and finishing, and generally good atmospheric corrosion resistance; weldability is acceptable with typical aluminum welding practice but some HAZ softening can occur.

Industries that use 8014 include automotive exterior and inner panels, appliance and HVAC components, electrical enclosures and certain structural sections where a balance of formability and strength is required. Engineers choose 8014 when they need a workable sheet/extrusion alloy that offers improved mechanical level over very soft commercial-purity grades while retaining excellent surface finish and resistance to crusting and pitting in typical environments.

Compared with adjacent families, 8014 is selected when the design requires a mid-point trade-off: stronger and less conductive than 1xxx alloys, more formable and often more corrosion resistant than some high-strength heat-treatable alloys in thin-gauge applications, and easier to process into tight radii or complex shapes than many 6xxx or 7xxx alloys.

Temper Variants

Temper	Strength Level	Elongation	Formability	Weldability	Notes
O	Low	High (20–35%)	Excellent	Excellent	Fully annealed, maximum ductility for deep drawing
H12	Low–Medium	Moderate (15–25%)	Very Good	Very Good	Light cold work, retains good formability for moderate strength
H14	Medium	Moderate (10–20%)	Good	Very Good	Common commercial temper for moderate stiffness and drawability
H18	Medium–High	Low–Moderate (6–12%)	Fair	Good	Heavier cold work, used where springback control is needed
T4	Low–Medium	Moderate (12–25%)	Good	Good	Solution-treated and naturally aged (limited effect in largely non-TT alloys)
T5	Medium	Moderate (10–20%)	Good	Good	Cooled from elevated temperature and artificially aged; modest precipitation hardening
T6 / T651	Medium–High*	Lower (6–12%)	Reduced	Good–Moderate	Artificial age treatments provide limited additional strength where alloy chemistry allows; T651 includes stress relief

Temper choice has a pronounced effect on the balance of strength and forming behavior; annealed O condition offers the largest single-bend ductility and best deep-draw performance. Cold-worked H tempers increase yield and tensile levels while reducing elongation, which helps with springback control but requires tighter tooling and may increase risk of cracking in severe bends.

Chemical Composition

Element	% Range	Notes
Si	0.05–0.50	Silicon controls casting-related inclusions and contributes to fluidity in cast alloys; in wrought 8014 it is kept low to preserve ductility.
Fe	0.25–1.50	Iron is a common impurity that forms intermetallics, increasing strength but reducing ductility and surface finish if excessive.
Mn	0.10–0.80	Manganese forms fine dispersoids (Al6Mn type) that raise strength and improve resistance to recrystallization and corrosion.
Mg	0.02–0.40	Magnesium provides solid solution strengthening and can enable slight age-hardening if present with other elements; higher Mg improves strength but can lower corrosion resistance in some environments.
Cu	0.01–0.30	Copper gives strength through precipitation in heat-treatable systems; in 8014 it is kept low to moderate to avoid excessive susceptibility to localized corrosion.
Zn	0.01–0.30	Zinc is usually limited in 8xxx wrought alloys; higher Zn promotes strength in heat-treatable mixes but can reduce corrosion resistance.
Cr	0.00–0.10	Chromium is used in trace amounts to control grain structure and limit recrystallization during thermo-mechanical processing.
Ti	0.00–0.15	Titanium is a grain refiner used in melt practice to improve as-cast billet structure and subsequent mechanical uniformity.
Others (including balance Al)	Balance	Residuals and minor intentional additions (e.g., Zr, V) may be present; final content depends on mill practices and intended product form.

The listed composition ranges are typical commercial targets and are influenced by product form and mill practice; small shifts in Mn, Fe and Mg produce measurable changes in strength, ductility and annealability. Iron and silicon primarily control the morphology of intermetallic particles which, in turn, affect sheet surface quality, deep-draw behavior and fatigue crack initiation.

Mechanical Properties

Tensile and yield behavior for 8014 depend strongly on temper and gauge. In annealed (O) condition the alloy displays moderate tensile strength with high elongation, making it suitable for deep drawing and complex stamped components; cold-working to H14/H18 raises yield and tensile strengths while reducing ductility. Thinner gauges typically exhibit slightly higher strength due to strain introduced during rolling and processing, while thicker plates or extrusions trend toward lower as-rolled strengths unless post-process cold work is applied.

Hardness tracks tensile changes and will increase noticeably with H temper levels; typical Vickers/Brinell hardness values reflect the cold-work history and will soften in a HAZ after welding. Fatigue resistance in 8014 is generally good for components with smooth surface finish and minimal intermetallic clusters; fatigue life drops with increasing mean stress and with the presence of grooves or notches from forming operations.

Thickness has practical implications on mechanical behavior: thin sheet (<1.5 mm) used for body panels and heat exchangers can be formed to small radii, while mid-gauge sheet and extrusions require higher bend radii proportional to temper and thickness. Post-forming strain-aging effects are modest compared with strongly precipitation-hardenable alloys, but parts subjected to elevated temperatures after forming can experience small losses of work-hardened strength.

Property	O/Annealed	Key Temper (e.g., H14/T6)	Notes
Tensile Strength	110–150 MPa	160–280 MPa	Values vary with gauge and exact temper; H-tempers provide 30–80% increase over O.
Yield Strength	40–70 MPa	110–220 MPa	Yield increases sharply with cold work; T6-like artificial aging gives modest additional yield if chemistry permits.
Elongation	20–35%	6–20%	Elongation reduces as temper hardness increases; forming limits should be correlated to temper and bend radius.
Hardness	30–45 HRB (approx)	50–90 HRB (approx)	Hardness values correlate to tensile level; HAZ softening is possible after welding or localized heating.

Physical Properties

Property	Value	Notes
Density	≈ 2.70 g/cm³	Typical for wrought aluminum alloys; design mass should use supplier-certified density for precise components.
Melting Range	≈ 640–655 °C	Solidus–liquidus range is narrow for high-purity Al, but alloying elements shift the effective melting behavior slightly.
Thermal Conductivity	120–170 W/m·K	Conductivity depends on alloying and cold work; 8014 is lower than pure aluminum but remains good for thermal dissipation applications.
Electrical Conductivity	≈ 25–48 % IACS	Conductivity is reduced relative to pure Al by alloying elements; use mill data for electrical bus design.
Specific Heat	≈ 0.90 J/g·K (900 J/kg·K)	Typical specific heat for aluminum alloys in the ambient range.
Thermal Expansion	≈ 23–24 µm/m·K (20–200 °C)	Coefficient of thermal expansion is similar to other Al alloys; consider differential CTE with dissimilar materials.

The physical properties show why 8014 is attractive for thermal management and lightweight structural applications: it retains a high thermal conductivity and low density while providing improved mechanical properties over pure aluminum. Designers must account for thermal expansion when mating 8014 to steels, composites or glass to avoid distortion or seal failures in assemblies that cycle in temperature.

Product Forms

Form	Typical Thickness/Size	Strength Behavior	Common Tempers	Notes
Sheet	0.2–6.0 mm	Strain-hardened in H tempers; uniform in O	O, H12, H14, H18	Main form for automotive panels, appliances and HVAC fins.
Plate	>6.0 mm	Lower cold-work induced strength; can be stress-relieved	O, H1x	Used for structural parts and heavy gauge fittings.
Extrusion	5–200 mm cross-section	Strength controlled by as-extruded and aged condition	As-extruded, T4, T5	Complex profiles for frames and structural sections.
Tube	Ø 6–150 mm	Wall thickness influences achievable bend radii	O, H14	Used for HVAC, structural tubing and heat exchanger cores.
Bar/Rod	Ø 3–100 mm	Machinability varies with temper; drawn/annealed options	O, H12, H14	Used for fasteners, pins and machined components.

Processing differences are significant between thin sheet and extrusions: sheet production emphasizes surface finish, flatness and tight thickness control, whereas extrusions focus on profile tolerances and internal microstructure control to avoid precipitate clustering. Application-driven temper selection and downstream processing such as anodizing or painting will dictate anneal or natural/artificial aging schedules to stabilize dimensions and mechanical behavior.

Equivalent Grades

Standard	Grade	Region	Notes
AA	8014	USA	Common designation in North American commercial listings; consult AMCA/AA standards for mill certificates.
EN AW	AW-8014 (typical)	Europe	European wrought nomenclature can mirror the AA number, but exact temper and chem limits may differ by mill.
JIS	A8000-series (approx)	Japan	Japanese standards often list 8xxx-series alloys under family groups; direct cross-reference is supplier-dependent.
GB/T	8014 (typical)	China	Chinese designations can match AA numbers but require confirmation against GB/T spec for guaranteed tolerances.

Direct one-to-one equivalents across standards are not always exact; chemical specification limits, permitted impurities and temper definitions can vary between AA, EN, JIS and GB/T documents. When cross-referencing, engineers should rely on the full chemical and mechanical certificate from the mill rather than the number alone to ensure interchangeability for critical parts.

Corrosion Resistance

In atmospheric conditions 8014 provides good general corrosion resistance, outperforming many high-strength heat-treatable alloys which are more prone to localized attack. A controlled surface oxide and low levels of reactive elements help limit uniform corrosion, making the alloy suitable for exterior automotive trim and architectural panels when properly coated or anodized.

Marine environments present a greater challenge due to chloride exposure; 8014 shows reasonable performance in splash and moderately corrosive marine atmospheres but will require protective coatings or sacrificial design when used in continuous immersion or high-salinity spray zones. Localized pitting can occur around inclusions or mechanical damage, so surface quality and post-forming finishing are important for longevity.

Stress corrosion cracking susceptibility in 8014 is generally low compared with high-strength 7xxx alloys due to lower residual tensile strengths and the absence of large precipitation zones; however, highly cold-worked tempers under tensile residual stress in chloride environments can be susceptible to embrittlement. Galvanic interactions with dissimilar metals need consideration: aluminum will corrode preferentially when coupled to noble metals such as copper or stainless steel unless electrically isolated or coated.

Compared with 5xxx (Al-Mg) alloys, 8014 tends to have comparable general resistance but may be marginally less resistant in heavy marine exposure depending on exact Mg and Cu levels. Compared to 6xxx heat-treatable series, 8014 usually resists localized corrosion better because of fewer and smaller aging precipitates that act as anodic sites.

Fabrication Properties

Weldability
8014 is weldable by standard TIG (GTAW) and MIG (GMAW) techniques; filler selection should consider base alloy chemistry and service environment—Al-Si fillers (e.g., 4043) are commonly used where good flow and reduced hot cracking are required, while Al-Mg fillers (e.g., 5356) are preferred if superior strength in the weld deposit and marine resistance are necessary. Hot-cracking risk is mitigated by clean joint preparation, appropriate welding parameters and use of slightly higher silicon filler if base metal is higher in iron; HAZ softening will occur in heavily cold-worked joints and may reduce local strength.

Machinability
Machinability of 8014 is moderate and depends on temper and product form; annealed stock machines better with lower tool wear, while H-tempered material can produce more work-hardening at the cut edge. Carbide or PVD-coated tools and positive rake geometry are recommended for productive cutting speeds; high-shear chipbreakers and flood coolant reduce built-up edge and produce better surface finish. Feed rates and speeds should be tuned to avoid thermal smearing and to manage chip morphology—long, stringy chips are common in soft tempers and require chip control devices.

Formability
Formability is one of 8014’s strengths in O and light H tempers, permitting small bend radii and deep draw operations with minimal cracking. Recommended outside bend radii for thin sheet in O condition can be as low as 0.5–1.0× thickness for simple bends; H14/H18 conditions require larger radii (typically 1.0–3.0× thickness depending on severity). Cold-work response is reliable: springback increases with harder tempers and must be compensated in die design. Preheating is generally not required for typical stamping and bending operations, but limited warm-forming can improve ductility where tooling allows.

Heat Treatment Behavior

8014 behaves primarily as a non-heat-treatable (NHT) alloy in standard commercial practice: strength modifications are achieved chiefly through cold work and annealing cycles. Full annealing (O) is performed by heating to near 350–415 °C followed by slow controlled cooling to obtain maximum ductility and minimal residual stresses. Solution treatment and artificial aging (the hallmark of heat-treatable alloys) have only limited effectiveness for 8014 unless chemistry is adjusted to include higher Mg and Cu; where present, T4/T5/T6 style processes can yield modest increases in strength but must be validated by supplier data.

Work hardening through controlled cold rolling or drawing is the primary strengthening path for 8014 and allows production of H tempers such as H12/H14/H18; temper selection is used to set the final mechanical properties after fabrication. Stress-relief anneals (e.g., light heat treatment at 200–300 °C) can be applied to relieve residual stresses after forming or welding but will reduce some of the work-hardened strength; this trade-off must be managed in assemblies requiring dimensional stability.

High-Temperature Performance

8014 retains usable strength up to moderately elevated temperatures, but like most aluminum alloys it experiences progressive strength loss with increasing temperature. Above roughly 100–150 °C there is noticeable reduction in yield and tensile strength, and prolonged exposure above 200 °C can cause microstructural recovery and substantial softening. Oxidation in air is minimal compared with ferrous metals because of the protective alumina film, but at high temperatures scaling and accelerated grain growth can affect mechanical properties and surface appearance.

HAZ regions from welding are particularly vulnerable to softening and should be evaluated for load-bearing joints intended for elevated-temperature service. Thermal cycling can exacerbate creep in heavily stressed sections; for sustained high-temperature loads, consider alloys specifically designed for elevated-temperature performance rather than general-purpose 8xxx alloys.

Applications

Industry	Example Component	Why 8014 Is Used
Automotive	Outer body panels, inner panels	Good balance of formability and strength; excellent surface finish for painting and coating.
Marine	HVAC ducts, non-critical structural members	Adequate corrosion resistance and ease of forming in sheet and tube forms.
Aerospace	Secondary fittings, fairings	Favorable strength-to-weight and good manufacturability for non-primary structures.
Electronics	Thermal mounting brackets, enclosures	Relatively high thermal conductivity and lightweight construction.

8014 finds broad use where designers require a formable aluminum alloy that can be stamped and finished economically while providing a clear increase in mechanical capability over soft commercial-purity grades. Its combination of processing flexibility and adequate strength makes it popular for mid-volume production parts where tight radii and clean surface finishes are necessary.

Selection Insights

Choose 8014 when you need a mid-strength, highly formable aluminum with good surface quality and acceptable weldability for stamped or extruded components. It is a practical choice where deep drawing or complex bends are required and where the strength of 1xxx or some 3xxx alloys is insufficient.

Compared with commercial-purity aluminum (1100), 8014 trades off some electrical and thermal conductivity and slightly more cost for a material with substantially higher yield and tensile strength and better structural utility. Compared with common work-hardened alloys such as 3003 or 5052, 8014 generally provides a higher strength-to-ductility balance while retaining competitive corrosion resistance; select 8014 when a small increase in strength will reduce part gauge or weight. Compared with heat-treatable alloys such as 6061 or 6063, 8014 may offer better formability and surface finish for thin-gauge work even though its peak achievable strength is often lower; prefer 8014 in applications that prioritize forming and surface quality over maximum strength.

Closing Summary

Alloy 8014 remains relevant as a versatile 8xxx-series wrought aluminum that balances formability, surface quality and moderate strength for automotive, appliance, marine and thermal-management applications. Its primary advantages are ease of forming, dependable corrosion performance and predictable behavior under standard fabrication methods, making it a practical choice where a robust, manufacturable aluminum solution is required.