Definition of Aluminum 2024-T351 | 3.1355 | 24530 | AlCu4Mg1
Aluminum 2024-T351 | 3.1355 | 24530 | AlCu4Mg1 is a high-strength aluminum alloy mainly made with aluminum, copper, and magnesium. It offers a good balance of strength, low weight, and machinability. The T351 condition also helps the material stay more stable during machining. It is commonly used for aircraft parts, mechanical components, fittings, fasteners, shafts, and other precision CNC-machined parts.
Properties of Aluminum 2024-T351 | 3.1355 | 24530 | AlCu4Mg1
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Properties | |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 395 – 470 MPa |
| Yield strength | 275 – 310 MPa |
| Young’s modulus (modulus of elasticity) | 71 – 73.1 GPa |
| Elongation at break | 9 – 15 % |
| Physical Properties | |
| Corrosion resistance | Poor |
| Magnetism | Non-magnetic |
| Weldability | Good |
| Thermal Properties | |
| Maximum service temperature | 200 °C |
| Thermal expansion coefficient | 23 – 24.7 × 10-6/ºC |
| Thermal conductivity | 121 W/(m⋅°C) |
| Electrical Properties | |
| Electrical resistivity | 5.82 μΩ*cm |
| Post Treatments | |
| Post-Processing | Hot & cold working, Age hardening |
| Anodizing compatibility | Suitable |
| Common Applications | |
| Aircraft fuselage | Commercial & military aircraft |
| Wing tension members | Critical Aircraft structures |
Why Aluminum 2017A | 3.1325 | 24530 | AlCu4MgSi Matters in CNC Workshops
- Good machinability: Aluminum 2024-T351 works well with CNC milling, turning, drilling, and other machining processes.
- High strength: It is stronger than many general-purpose aluminum grades, making it suitable for parts that need to carry higher loads.
- Good stability during machining: The T351 condition helps reduce unwanted movement or distortion while CNC machines remove material.
- Strong but lightweight: It provides high strength without the heavy weight of steel, making it useful for aerospace, automotive, robotics, and industrial parts.
Surface Finishes for Aluminum 2024-T351 | 3.1355 | 24530 | AlCu4Mg1
As-Machined
The default finish from CNC machining plastic stock (Delrin, nylon, HDPE, ABS). Visible linear tool path scallop marks across machined surfaces with a matte plastic sheen. No secondary operation suitable for functional components, jigs, fixtures, and internal parts where cosmetic appearance is secondary to dimensional accuracy.
Flame Polished
Quick post-fabrication process that passes a controlled flame over acrylic (PMMA) cut edges, melting the surface micro-layer to produce a crystal-clear, glossy, transparent edge. Fast and cost-effective for acrylic sheet edges produces optical clarity on cut borders without the labor of hand polishing. Ideal for display cases, signage, and acrylic enclosures.
Vapor Polished
Post-fabrication chemical process that exposes transparent plastic parts (acrylic, PC, PETG) to solvent vapor, melting and smoothing the surface micro-layer to dramatically improve optical clarity and gloss. Removes machining lines and produces crystal-clear transparent parts — essential for prototype lenses, light guides, display windows, fluidic chambers, and medical components requiring optical transparency.
Painted
Post-fabrication spray painting in any custom color (matte, satin, gloss, metallic) followed by screen printing or pad printing for logos, labels, buttons, and graphics. Applied over a primed plastic surface for uniform color and adhesion. Allows custom fabricated plastic parts to match production aesthetics widely used for control panels, instrument faces, enclosures, and marketing/showcase components requiring exact brand color and graphic printing.
Sanded
Post-fabrication sanding with progressively finer grit sandpaper (typically 240–600 grit) produces a uniform low-gloss matte non-reflective surface. Hides machining marks, scratches, and surface inconsistencies while providing a soft tactile feel. Used for HDPE, UHMW, and nylon components where a durable, non-glare, fingerprint-resistant matte appearance is desired for industrial and functional parts.
Heat Formed
Thermoforming process that heats plastic sheet (acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS) to its glass transition temperature and bends it over a form tool to create precise angles and curved shapes. Produces clean, smooth bend radii with consistent surface finish no tool marks at the bend. Used for display stands, guards, enclosures, signage, and custom fabricated parts requiring 3D formed shapes from flat sheet stock.
