2219-T87 Aluminum
A 2000-series Al-Cu-Mn alloy, one of the few in the series that can be welded
Typical values for the temper in the title
2219 contains about 6.3% copper, manganese, and small additions of zirconium and vanadium. Unlike 2024 and 2014, it welds well, and it keeps good properties both at very low temperatures and at a few hundred degrees. In T87 its tensile strength is about 476 MPa.
Because of its rare combination of strength, weldability and cryogenic performance, it was used in the fuel tanks of the Saturn V rockets, and it is still used in cryogenic tanks and welded aerospace and space structures.
Mechanical and physical properties
| Property | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength Rm | 476 MPa | |
| Yield strength Rp0.2 | 393 MPa | |
| Elongation A | 10% | |
| Hardness | 130 HB | |
| Modulus of elasticity E | 73 GPa | |
| Density ρ | 2.84 g/cm³ | |
| Machinability | 60% | relative rating in the site database |
Chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Range | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Cu copper | 5.8–6.8 | the main element: Al-Cu precipitates give the strength |
| Mn manganese | 0.20–0.40 | controls the grain structure |
| Zr zirconium | 0.10–0.25 | controls the grains |
| V vanadium | 0.05–0.15 | refines grains and raises the recrystallization temperature |
| Ti titanium | 0.02–0.10 | |
| Fe iron | max 0.30 | |
| Si silicon | max 0.20 | |
| Zn zinc | max 0.10 | |
| Mg magnesium | max 0.02 | kept very low, for weldability |
| Al aluminum | balance |
Common tempers
In 2219 the T8x tempers include cold work before aging, which is what gives the high strength.
| Temper | Properties | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| T31 / T37 | solution treated and cold worked | for forming, with aging afterwards |
| T62 | solution treated and aged | after forming by the user |
| T81 / T851 | solution treated, cold worked and aged | high strength, common for plate |
| T87 | Rm ≈ 476 MPa, Rp0.2 ≈ 393 MPa | more cold work: maximum strength |
Applications
- Fuel and oxidizer tanks in rockets and spacecraft
- Cryogenic tanks
- Welded aerospace structures
- Parts working at elevated temperature (up to a few hundred degrees)
- Aerospace forgings
Fabrication
Welding
Welds well with TIG, MIG and friction stir welding (FSW), usually with ER2319 filler. Its very low magnesium is one reason it is less prone to hot cracking than 2024.
Extreme temperatures
Keeps strength and ductility at cryogenic temperatures, and holds strength at elevated temperature better than most aluminum alloys.
Corrosion
Like all copper alloys, its corrosion resistance is relatively low, and it is usually protected with conversion coating and paint.
Compared with similar materials
| Material | Rm / Rp0.2 | Welding | When it is the better choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-T4 | 470–480 / 325–345 MPa | Not recommended — Hot Cracking | similar strength, but not weldable · material page |
| 2195 Al-Li | 590 / 530 MPa | Not recommended | a lighter, stronger Al-Li alloy that replaced it in newer tanks · material page |
| 2618-T651 | 440 / 370 MPa | Not recommended | for elevated-temperature forged parts · material page |
Common mistakes
Welding with an unsuitable filler
4043 or 5356 filler gives a weak joint. For 2219, ER2319 is used.
Ignoring corrosion protection
The high copper lowers corrosion resistance. Protection is needed.
Replacing 2024 with 2219 just for weldability
Fatigue and machining properties differ. The design must be recalculated.
Equivalents, standards and supply
| EN | EN AW-2219 (AlCu6Mn) |
|---|---|
| AMS | 4031 |
| ASTM | 2219 |
| Standards | ASTM B209 / AMS 4031 |
| Forms | plate · rod · forging |
| Producers | Constellium · Aleris · Alcoa · Kaiser |
Learn more
Values are typical and for comparison only. For design, rely on the standard and on the mill certificate. Sources: Aluminum Association (composition), ASM and MatWeb data sheets, and the METAL HUB materials database.
Updated: October 31, 2026