2036 Aluminum

Representative aluminum raw/semi-finished material photo; exact grade not verified

2036 Aluminum (AA 2036) is a registered wrought 2xxx-series aluminum–copper alloy. Its specified copper, magnesium, and manganese additions make it heat treatable and capable of precipitation strengthening after solution treatment, quenching, and aging. Compared with non-heat-treatable aluminum alloys, 2036 is intended where higher specific strength is important. The registered composition also places it among the relatively copper-rich wrought alloys, so corrosion protection, joint design, and temper selection deserve careful attention. Mechanical performance is product-form-, thickness-, and temper-dependent; a material specification should therefore state the required temper and applicable product standard.

Chemical Composition (wt.%)
Chemical Composition wt.%
Element	Min	Max
Silicon	—	0.50
Iron	—	0.50
Copper	2.2	3.0
Manganese	0.10	0.40
Magnesium	0.30	0.60
Chromium	—	0.10
Zinc	—	0.25
Titanium	—	0.15
Other elements, each	—	0.05
Other elements, total	—	0.15
Aluminum	Remainder

Composition notes

Silicon: Maximum.
Iron: Maximum.
Copper: Principal alloying element.
Chromium: Maximum.
Zinc: Maximum.
Titanium: Maximum.
Other elements, each: Maximum for each unspecified element.
Other elements, total: Maximum total of unspecified elements.

Registered wrought-alloy composition limits, in mass percent, from the Aluminum Association. “Other, each” and “Other, total” are residual-element limits; aluminum is the remainder. The source does not list a numerical nickel limit for 2036.

The Aluminum Association Teal Sheets provide a calculated nominal density for the registered 2036 composition. No temper- and product-form-qualified mechanical, electrical, or thermal property table was available in the supplied source material; such values should be taken from the governing mill/product specification for the ordered temper.

Use the button to switch between Metric and US Customary units.

Table of 2036 Aluminum Properties

Table of 2036 Aluminum Properties
Physical Properties	Metric
Calculated Nominal Density	2.75 × 10³ kg/m³2.75 g/cm³
Calculated Nominal Density	0.100 lb/in³2.77 g/cm³

Test conditions & data notes

Calculated Nominal Density: Calculated nominal density for registered wrought alloy 2036.
Calculated Nominal Density: Calculated nominal density for registered wrought alloy 2036.

Material Conditions & Tempers

2036 is a heat-treatable wrought alloy, so temper is essential to its specification. The available material record establishes the alloy identity and composition but does not establish a universal set of commercial tempers or minimum mechanical properties for every product. Confirm availability, thickness range, heat treatment, and certified properties with the producer or applicable product standard.

Condition	Tensile Strength	Yield / Proof Strength	Notes
O	Not specified in supplied sources	Not specified in supplied sources	Annealed condition, generally selected when maximum ductility and subsequent forming are more important than strength. Use only where this temper is offered for the applicable 2036 product form.
T4	Not specified in supplied sources	Not specified in supplied sources	Solution heat treated and naturally aged to a substantially stable condition; a practical condition where forming may be required after heat treatment. Mechanical requirements depend on product form, section size, and governing specification.
T6	Not specified in supplied sources	Not specified in supplied sources	Solution heat treated and artificially aged to develop precipitation-strengthened performance. Confirm that the supplier offers 2036 in this temper and obtain certified values for the specified product.

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages	Limitations
Heat-treatable Al–Cu–Mg chemistry supports substantial strength development through precipitation hardening. The 2.2–3.0% copper range provides a useful strength-oriented alternative to non-heat-treatable wrought aluminum alloys. Manganese addition helps control wrought microstructure during processing. Low calculated density, 2.75 × 10³ kg/m³, supports weight-efficient structural design. Available annealed or solution-treated conditions can provide a processing window before final aging, subject to product-specific practice.	Copper-bearing 2xxx alloys generally have lower inherent corrosion resistance than many 5xxx and 6xxx alloys; protective finishes, isolation from dissimilar metals, and drainage should be considered. Welding of precipitation-hardened material can soften the heat-affected zone and may reduce local properties; qualified joining procedures are important. Strength, ductility, fatigue behavior, and fracture performance cannot be specified from alloy designation alone; temper, product form, thickness, and governing standard are required. The supplied registered designation data do not establish universal mechanical-property minima or guaranteed availability in any particular temper.

Advantages

Limitations

Heat-treatable Al–Cu–Mg chemistry supports substantial strength development through precipitation hardening.
The 2.2–3.0% copper range provides a useful strength-oriented alternative to non-heat-treatable wrought aluminum alloys.
Manganese addition helps control wrought microstructure during processing.
Low calculated density, 2.75 × 10³ kg/m³, supports weight-efficient structural design.
Available annealed or solution-treated conditions can provide a processing window before final aging, subject to product-specific practice.

Copper-bearing 2xxx alloys generally have lower inherent corrosion resistance than many 5xxx and 6xxx alloys; protective finishes, isolation from dissimilar metals, and drainage should be considered.
Welding of precipitation-hardened material can soften the heat-affected zone and may reduce local properties; qualified joining procedures are important.
Strength, ductility, fatigue behavior, and fracture performance cannot be specified from alloy designation alone; temper, product form, thickness, and governing standard are required.
The supplied registered designation data do not establish universal mechanical-property minima or guaranteed availability in any particular temper.

Processing & Fabrication

Process	Description
Solution heat treatment and aging	2036 develops its principal strength by the standard heat-treatable aluminum sequence of solution treatment, rapid quenching, and natural or artificial aging. Establish time–temperature practice from the applicable product specification or producer procedure; it must be matched to section thickness and desired temper.
Forming	Perform demanding bends, draws, or shaping in a suitably ductile condition, often before final artificial aging. Account for springback and for the property changes produced by subsequent heat treatment.
Machining	Use rigid workholding, sharp tools, and appropriate chip control. Final machining after aging can improve dimensional stability, while distortion from residual stress should be evaluated for thin or asymmetric parts.
Welding and joining	For welded structures, qualify the filler, process, and post-weld property requirements. Fusion welding can alter the precipitation-hardened microstructure adjacent to the joint; mechanical fastening or bonding may be preferable where local strength retention is critical.
Corrosion protection	Use an appropriate finish or coating system when service exposure is significant. Prevent galvanic couples with more noble materials, seal crevices, and design assemblies to avoid moisture retention.

Applications

2036 is relevant to wrought, strength-led components where the benefit of a heat-treatable Al–Cu–Mg alloy outweighs the added corrosion-management and joining considerations. Final application selection should be based on qualified temper-specific mechanical data rather than alloy chemistry alone.

Weight-sensitive machined structural parts: The alloy’s heat-treatable copper-bearing composition can support higher-strength component designs at aluminum density, provided certified temper properties are suitable.
Formed-and-aged hardware and brackets: Parts may be formed in a ductile condition and then aged to develop service strength, subject to validated distortion and dimensional-control procedures.
Transportation structural components: Useful where weight reduction and strength are primary design objectives and protective finishing can be incorporated into the assembly.
Aerospace or defense support structures: The 2xxx-series metallurgy is appropriate for controlled, specification-driven structural applications; acceptance must use the required product and temper specification.

Standards & Designations

Designation	Value	Description
Aluminum Association international alloy designation system	2036	Active registered wrought aluminum alloy designation; the registered composition limits are published by The Aluminum Association.
Aluminum Association designation	AA 2036	Common designation format for Aluminum Association wrought alloy 2036.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 2036 Aluminum and a 2036 temper such as 2036-T4?

2036 identifies the registered wrought alloy chemistry. The temper, such as T4, defines the processing condition and is necessary to determine applicable mechanical properties, formability, and residual-stress condition. “2036” alone is not a complete mechanical-property specification.

What elements define AA 2036 aluminum?

The registered composition specifies 2.2–3.0% copper, 0.30–0.60% magnesium, and 0.10–0.40% manganese, with limits on silicon, iron, chromium, zinc, titanium, and residual elements; aluminum is the remainder. Copper is the principal strengthening addition.

Does 2036 Aluminum require corrosion protection?

Often, yes. As a copper-bearing 2xxx alloy, 2036 should not be assumed to have the intrinsic corrosion resistance of common 5xxx or 6xxx alloys. The need for coating, sealing, cladding, or galvanic isolation depends on the exposure environment, assembly design, and maintenance plan.

References & Data Notes

(n.d.). The Aluminum Association, International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys, revised December 2025. https://www.aluminum.org/sites/default/files/2026-01/Teal%20Sheets%20December%202025.pdf
(n.d.). Aluminum 2036: Composition, Properties, Temper Guide & Applications | Engineering Datasheet – Metal Zenith. https://metalzenith.com/blogs/aluminium-properties/aluminum-2036-composition-properties-temper-guide-applications

Composition and density are sourced from the Aluminum Association’s registered wrought-alloy publication. Density is a calculated nominal value. The remaining narrative provides practical alloy-selection guidance and is not a substitute for a product specification, mill certificate, or qualification test program.