Aluminum Forgings 2014
Performance is important, and the most robust materials are required for the most demanding applications. When the strongest aluminum alloys are needed, customers need 2000 series stock, such as forged 2014 aluminum and 2024 aluminum alloys.
2014 aluminum forgings are among the strongest material products on the market for aerospace applications. Its extreme strength and exceptional mechanical resistance make it a very common material used in the construction of large aerospace frames and fuselages.
What is the 2014 Aluminum Alloy?
The 2014 alloy belongs to the 2000 series of aluminum alloys that primarily include Copper as the most common alloying element. 2014 Aluminum specifically has between 3.9 – 5.0% Copper, 0.2 – 0.8% Magnesium, 0.5 – 1.2% Silicon, 0.2% - 1.2% Manganese, up to 0.7% Iron, and <0.5% of Chromium, Titanium, and Zinc.
2014 Aluminum alloy is commonly chosen for its versatile properties, including:
- Exceptional strength: Like most 2000 series aluminum alloys, 2014 aluminum is one of the strongest aluminum alloys without becoming incredibly rigid. This makes it ideal for strong structural components and load-bearing applications where a premier strength to weight ratio is needed.
- Good machinability: Like nearly all aluminum, machining procedures are easily completed and highly precise without much risk of tool damage or special care necessary. It will be somewhat harder to machine than something like a 6000 series alloy, though the losses to machinability are minimal when compared to the strength gains.
- Workability: Forged 2014 aluminum alloy stock takes well to cold working. The process of cold working creates a number of crossing internal stresses and is essential to the production of the T651 temper. These workability properties are important to produce the highest strength material necessary for certain build applications.
Customers should also be aware that the high-performance of 2014 alloy aluminum is not without cost. The primary two drawbacks to 2014 aluminum alloys are their poor corrosion resistance and their relative resistance to welding. 2014 aluminum forgings are generally anodized and coated with corrosion-resistant outer coatings like Alclad or a layer of pure aluminum. This procedure is necessary, especially if the 2014 alloy is going to be exposed to the elements. In addition, 2014 aluminum is subject to cracking under extreme heat from welding, thus requiring a more delicate welding procedure.
Forged 2014-T3 Aluminum
One of the two more common tempers of 2014 aluminum alloys is the T3 standard. T3 is achieved through high heat treatment for a few hours, a quick cooling, and cold working to build up some internal stress. This temper produces a material with a tensile strength of up to 405 MPa and a yield strength of 240 MPa, with a failure elongation percentage of 14%.
Forged 2014-T4 Aluminum
One of the two more common tempers of 2014 aluminum alloys is the T4 standard. T4 is achieved through high heat treatment for a few hours and a natural aging process that sets some of the precipitation distribution without the extra stresses from cold working or a quick cooling. The result is a slightly softer but stronger material with a tensile strength of up to 427 MPa and a yield strength of 290 MPa, with a failure elongation percentage of 20%.
Forged 2014-T6 Aluminum
It is not as common to encounter T6 temper for 2014 aluminum alloys, but 2014 aluminum forgings can be provided with this temper readily. Forged 2014-T6 and forged 2014-T651 aluminum tempers are produced similarly to the T4 temper, but with the addition of medium heating to quickly age the metal after the cold working. This produces a material with a premier strength but a slightly more rigid structure with a tensile strength of 483 MPa, a yield strength of 414 MPa, and a failure elongation percentage of 13%.
Uses of the 2014 Aluminum Forgings
The primary usage cases for 2014 Aluminum forgings are for aerospace frames and other airplane structural applications. However, one may find 2014 aluminum alloys in trucking structural components and especially heavy forgings for use in heavy industry. In these cases, 2014 aluminum can be found in the frames of trucks to reduce the overall weight of trucks without having to sacrifice the necessary structural strength to carry heavy loads; thus, it is also appropriate for other carriage frames in heavy industry applications where minimal weight and high strength are needed.
Customers needing a high strength, high-performance material for their critical structural applications need to look no further than the high quality 2014 aluminum forgings produced at Anchor Harvey. Whatever the needs are, the quality engineering and precise manufacturing procedures at Anchor Harvey ensure that customers receive only the highest quality forged aluminum alloys every time. Request a quote today.