Introduction

Aluminium/aluminum and its alloys are essential materials in various industries such as aerospace, marine, construction, and automobile.

Aluminium/aluminum 2017 alloy is a heat treatable wrought alloy with intermediate strength. It is stronger than aluminium /aluminum 2011, but harder to machine. Workability is fair with ductility and formability better that aluminium / aluminum 2014. Arc and resistance weldability of this alloy are satisfactory while corrosion resistance is fair.

Machinability and formability

Aluminium / aluminum 2017 alloy has excellent machinability in the T4 temper. It is recommended that oil lubricants be used for all machining operations. Likewise formability is excellent especially in the annealed condition.

Welding

Welding tends to reduce corrosion resistance, hence should be avoided whenever possible. If welding is required, heat treatment should be performed after welding to restore corrosion resistance. The preferable welding techniques are inert gas welding and resistance welding.

Annealing

Aluminium / aluminum 2017 alloy can be solution annealed at 504°C (940°F) for 3-4h followed by water quenching. Age hardening is performed at room temperature and this produces the T4 temper. Cold working such as shaping and bending, can be easily performed by using traditional methods. Annealing can be performed at 413°C (775°F) for 3 h and then controlled cooling at 10°C (50°F)/h down to 260°C (500° F). Finally it can be air cooled.

Aging

Aluminium / aluminum 2017 alloy ages normally at room temperature to produce optimum mechanical properties. Similarly, it is age hardenable at room temperature.

Applications

Aluminium / aluminum 2017 alloy is chiefly used in the following products:

• Screw machine products and fittings
• Pulleys and gauges
• Coat hangers
• Crochet and knitting needles
• Rivets
• General structural components
• Components in transportation sector
• Fasteners
• Aircraft components.