2014 aluminum
2014 versus 2014A identity, temper and product-form properties, and machining, joining and corrosion limits.
Tags: materials, aluminum, heat-treatable-alloys
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Identity and purchase description
Kaiser's historical bare 2014-T6 sheet table puts 0.030 in stock in the 0.020–0.039 in band with 64 ksi tensile and 57 ksi yield minima. A 0.050 in sheet falls in the 0.040–0.249 in band at 66 and 58 ksi. The table groups T6 with T62 and carries footnotes. The separate rod/bar figure of 483 MPa tensile is typical. Kaiser historical Table 7.2
2014 is a heat-treatable wrought aluminum alloy containing copper, silicon, manganese and magnesium. The Aluminum Association registers 2014 and 2014A separately. Both specify copper at 3.9–5.0% by mass, but 2014 permits silicon at 0.50–1.2% and iron up to 0.7%, versus 0.50–0.9% silicon and 0.50% maximum iron for 2014A. These are composition limits, not nominal additions or batch measurements. Aluminum Association, Teal Sheets, revised December 2025, 2014/2014A entries
Kaiser's Rod & Bar Alloy 2014 Technical Data, marked Rev. 05/06, describes high-strength machining stock and lists different specifications for cold-finished and extruded material. Its typical values are useful for screening, but the document is not a current purchase specification for every product form. Kaiser 2014 rod/bar data, pp. 1–2
A complete order should identify alloy, temper, form, dimensions/tolerances, applicable standard and edition, required testing/certification and surface condition. A quotation reading only “2014 aluminum” leaves strength and processing condition unresolved.
Temper is part of the material identity
T6 denotes solution heat treatment followed by artificial aging; T651 additionally identifies stress relief by stretching. T6511 includes the specified stretching route and allowance for minor straightening after aging. These processing distinctions should remain attached to the supplied product, rather than being shortened to a generic “heat treated” condition. Aalco, 2014A T651 sheet/plate temper descriptions
Do not infer a shop heat-treatment recipe from the temper designation. Furnace control, section size, quench route, delay, aging and acceptance testing belong to an approved procedure for the actual product. Subsequent heating, forming or joining can change the delivered condition. Stress relief also does not guarantee that a deeply machined component will remain dimensionally stable after asymmetric stock removal.
Typical strengths versus product limits
Kaiser's rod/bar sheet labels the following values typical, using a 0.500 in diameter tensile specimen and elongation over 4D:
| Temper grouping in that source | Ultimate tensile strength | Yield strength | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|
| O | 186 MPa | 97 MPa | 18% |
| T4 / T451 | 427 MPa | 290 MPa | 20% |
| T6 / T651 | 483 MPa | 414 MPa | 13% |
These are not guaranteed minima, statistical design allowables or fatigue properties of a finished part. Kaiser 2014 rod/bar data, typical mechanical properties
For contrast, Kaiser's sheet/plate handbook reproduces Aluminum Standards and Data 2006 limits. For bare 2014-T6 sheet, its 0.020–0.039 in band lists 64 ksi minimum ultimate and 57 ksi minimum yield; the 0.040–0.249 in band lists 66 and 58 ksi. The table groups T6 with T62 and attaches footnotes to the entries. These historical limits illustrate thickness dependence; use the current ordered specification and its complete footnotes for acceptance. Kaiser sheet/plate handbook, Table 7.2, page KA-SP-AA1-1.09
The handbook also separates bare from Alclad material. Its Alclad 2014-T6/T62 sheet values differ from the bare sheet entries. A surface-clad product therefore needs its own identity and property table, even when the core alloy number matches. Kaiser sheet/plate handbook, Table 7.2
Record tensile direction, section size, specimen location and elongation gauge length with the property evidence. A longitudinal test on bar does not establish short-transverse performance of thick plate or a forging. Never combine the highest strength from one product table with elongation from another to create an invented material condition.
Machining and forming
Smiths' 2014A product guidance describes very good machinability and identifies bar/profile supply and high-strength applications. Its broad aerospace application list is a selection lead, not certification for a particular aircraft component. Smiths, 2014A product reference
Choose tooling, lubrication, stock allowance and roughing/finishing sequence for the actual product and geometry. Verify distortion after major material removal and after any thermal operation. A good machinability rating does not specify tool life, a universal cutting speed, obtainable flatness or surface integrity.
For formed parts, establish bend radius, grain direction and forming condition through applicable supplier guidance and trials. Fully aged material cannot be assumed to have the same forming capability as annealed or naturally aged stock. If forming precedes final heat treatment, the route must still deliver the specified final geometry, surface and properties.
Joining requires a qualified route
Kaiser's detailed ratings qualify its introductory weldability language: T4/T451 and T6/T651 arc and spot welding receive rating B, defined as requiring special techniques or application-specific trials/testing. Gas welding and brazing receive D. These relative ratings do not constitute a welding procedure or guaranteed joint efficiency. Kaiser 2014 rod/bar data, comparative characteristics and footnotes
For its L93 rolled-plate product, Smiths does not recommend inert-gas welding, oxygen welding, brazing or soldering, while rating resistance/spot/beam joining favorably. Preserve this product-specific advice instead of resolving different sources into a universal “2014 is weldable” rule. Smiths L93 plate datasheet, weldability section
Fusion welding can alter strength in heat-treated aluminum's heat-affected zone. Assess base metal, weld metal and heat-affected material separately; parent-stock tensile strength is not the joint strength. Select the joining method, filler, heat input, testing and any post-join treatment against the governing design requirements. Hydro, aluminum welding rods and heat-affected zones
Corrosion, finish and release
Smiths describes atmospheric corrosion resistance of L93 plate as poor. Its surface-treatment table rates protective anodizing fair and bright anodizing unsuitable. A protective finish must therefore be specified for its function and environment; decorative appearance alone does not establish corrosion performance. Smiths L93 plate datasheet
Evaluate moisture, salts, dissimilar-metal contacts, crevices, sustained stress and grain direction in the actual design. Keep machined edges, holes and faying surfaces within the protection plan. A coating choice does not establish fatigue life or stress-corrosion resistance without the applicable design and test evidence.
Release material against the ordered specification and traceable inspection results. Resolve 2014/2014A substitution, temper changes and form changes explicitly. For an agent-readable property record, retain source edition + alloy + temper + product form + size range + direction + value status so a typical catalog value cannot silently become a guaranteed minimum.