Aluminum 2060 · temper
Aluminum 2060-T87
Properties of the T87 condition, compared with the other 2060 tempers.
Highest-strength stocked temper; select for strength-critical, low-thickness structure where reduced ductility and toughness are acceptable.
What is 2060-T87?
2060-T87 is 2060 in the T87 temper — highest-strength stocked temper; select for strength-critical, low-thickness structure where reduced ductility and toughness are acceptable. 2060-T87 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi). 2060-T87 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F). T81 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T87 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 500 MPa (72.5 ksi), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 103 W/m·K (59.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 75% of aluminum grades
2060-T87 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2060-T87 — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 2060 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
2060-T87 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 555°C (1,031 °F).
Mechanical13
2060-T87 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 78 GPa (11.3 Msi).
Thermal6
2060-T87 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 103 W/m·K (59.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 22.6 µm/m·K (12.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2060-T87 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, worse than 78% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2060-T87 takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 92% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 8%.
Manufacturability7
2060-T87's machinability is good (63/100, better than 59% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 2060 tempers and conditions
2060 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 2060 overview.
- T81DefaultStandard stocked condition for 2060 sheet and thin plate used in fuselage skins — highest strength/damage-tolerance combination.475 MPa yield · 150 HB
- T87Highest-strength stocked temper; select for strength-critical, low-thickness structure where reduced ductility and toughness are acceptable.500 MPa yield · 158 HB
- T8E30Producer-specific sheet temper originally released for fuselage skin; order this when the aerospace material spec names 2060-T8E30.483 MPa yield · 152 HB
- T8Generic peak-aged T8 family designation; pick when the drawing/order calls out 2060-T8 without a sub-temper.470 MPa yield · 150 HB
- T851Choose for machined plate parts (ribs, spars, frames) where low residual stress and dimensional stability after milling are critical.460 MPa yield · 148 HB
- T8E86Producer-specific plate temper for machined lower-wing/internal structure; specify when the drawing calls out 2060-T8E86 plate.455 MPa yield · 147 HB
- T6Peak-aged condition of 206.0 giving the highest yield strength and hardness of the alloy at the cost of ductility and SCC resistance.380 MPa yield · 120 HB
- T7Standard commercial temper for 206.0/A206.0 premium castings: overaged for dimensional and thermal stability with high strength plus better toughness and SCC resistance than T6.345 MPa yield · 105 HB
- T4Premium-strength Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Ti casting alloy solution treated and naturally aged; highest ductility/toughness of the 206.0 tempers with moderate yield strength.260 MPa yield · 90 HB
Working with 2060-T87
Is 2060 easy to machine?
Machines like 2024-T851 with polished carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; Li/Zr constituents are mildly abrasive and chips must be kept dry and separate from other Al scrap.
Can 2060 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended (Li burn-off, porosity, hot cracking); joined by riveting, bolting, friction-stir welding or laser/FSW-assisted processes.
Can 2060 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the freshly quenched or T3-like condition and then age; T8 tempers have limited bend ductility and marked anisotropy, so bend axis vs. rolling direction must be specified.
What surface finishes work on 2060?
Alkaline clean + deox then chromate-free conversion coating or thin-film/chromic anodize plus epoxy primer; isolate from CFRP and steel fasteners with sealant to avoid galvanic attack.
2060 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.07 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.07 | — |
| Cu | 3.4 – 4.5 | 3.95 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mg | 0.6 – 1.1 | 0.85 |
| Zn | 0.3 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Li | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Ag | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Zr | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
2060-T87 — frequently asked
What is 2060-T87 used for?
2060-T87 is typically used for aerospace fuselage skins, stringers and stiffeners, fuselage frames, machined structural fittings, floor beams and seat structure and defence structural castings and machined parts. In short: 3rd-generation Al-Li; damage-tolerant.
What is the yield strength of 2060-T87?
2060-T87 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 2060-T87 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (63/100, better than 59% of aluminum grades). Machines like 2024-T851 with polished carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; Li/Zr constituents are mildly abrasive and chips must be kept dry and separate from other Al scrap.
Can 2060-T87 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Fusion welding is not recommended (Li burn-off, porosity, hot cracking); joined by riveting, bolting, friction-stir welding or laser/FSW-assisted processes.
What surface finishes work on 2060-T87?
Alkaline clean + deox then chromate-free conversion coating or thin-film/chromic anodize plus epoxy primer; isolate from CFRP and steel fasteners with sealant to avoid galvanic attack.
Can 2060-T87 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the freshly quenched or T3-like condition and then age; T8 tempers have limited bend ductility and marked anisotropy, so bend axis vs. rolling direction must be specified.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2060-T87?
2060-T87 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 2060-T81 and 2060-T4?
T81 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for 2060 sheet and thin plate used in fuselage skins — highest strength/damage-tolerance combination. T4: premium-strength Al-Cu-Mg-Mn-Ti casting alloy solution treated and naturally aged; highest ductility/toughness of the 206.0 tempers with moderate yield strength. Yield strength is 475 MPa in T81 versus 260 MPa in T4.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2060-T87?
Yes — 2060-T87 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Registration Record of International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminium (Teal Sheets), alloy 2060 — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- Alcoa 2060-T8E30 sheet / 2060-T8E86 plate product information — Alcoa (Arconic) (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminum-Lithium Alloys: Processing, Properties and Applications — Elsevier / Butterworth-Heinemann (2014)
- MMPDS-style typical mechanical property practice for 2xxx aerospace alloys — Battelle/FAA (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.