Aluminium-copper Master Alloy，Aluminium copper Alloy，AlCu Alloy，E FORU

**Product Datasheet: Aluminium-Copper Master Alloy (Al-Cu Alloy)** **Version:** 1.0 | **Date:** 2025-04-02 --- ### **1. General Overview** Aluminium-Copper Master Alloy (Al-Cu Alloy) is one of the most important and widely used master alloy systems in the aluminium industry. Copper serves as a primary alloying element that significantly enhances strength through precipitation hardening and solid solution strengthening. This master alloy is essential for producing high-strength aluminium alloys, particularly for aerospace, automotive, and structural applications where superior mechanical properties are required. --- ### **2. International Standards** Al-Cu master alloys are covered by numerous international standards: - **ISO:** ISO 209-1 (Wrought aluminium and aluminium alloys) - **ASTM:** ASTM B179 (Standard Specification for Aluminum Alloys in Ingot and Molten Forms) - **EN:** EN 1676 (Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Master alloys) - **AA:** Aluminum Association designations for 2xxx series alloys - **JIS:** JIS H 2118 (Aluminium alloy master alloys) - **Typical Master Alloy Grades:** Al-10%Cu, Al-20%Cu, Al-33%Cu, Al-50%Cu --- ### **3. Chemical Composition (Weight %)** Typical composition ranges for Al-Cu master alloy: | Element | Content (%) | Role & Remarks | |------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------| | Copper (Cu) | 10.0 – 50.0 | Primary strengthening element | | Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.20 | Impurity control | | Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.15 | Impurity control | | Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.05 | Impurity control | | Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.05 | Impurity control | | Other Impurities | ≤ 0.10 total | — | | Aluminium (Al) | Balance | Base metal | --- ### **4. Physical Properties** | Property | Value / Range | |---------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Density | 2.8 – 3.5 g/cm³ (varies with Cu content) | | Melting Range | 548 – 660°C (eutectic at 548°C) | | Intermetallic Phases | Al₂Cu (θ phase), Al₇Cu₂Fe | | Hardness (Brinell) | 50 – 100 HB (master alloy form) | | Thermal Conductivity | 120 – 180 W/m·K | | Electrical Conductivity | 35 – 50 % IACS | --- ### **5. Key Characteristics & Advantages** - **High Strength:** Enables development of premium strength alloys through precipitation hardening - **Excellent Machinability:** Provides good chip characteristics in wrought products - **Heat Treatable:** Responds well to solution heat treatment and aging processes - **Precipitation Hardening:** Forms coherent θ' and θ" precipitates during aging - **Weldability:** Moderate weldability with proper procedures --- ### **6. Product Applications** - **Aerospace Structures:** Aircraft skins, frames, and structural components (2024, 2014, 2219 alloys) - **Automotive:** High-strength components, pistons, cylinder heads - **Military Applications:** Armor plate, military vehicle components - **Structural Engineering:** Bridges, building structures, space frames - **Heat Exchangers:** Selected applications requiring strength and thermal conductivity - **Forging Stock:** High-strength forged components --- ### **7. Available Forms** - **Master Alloy:** Ingots, notch bars, waffle plates, granules - **Standard Sizes:** 5–20 kg ingots - **Special Forms:** Custom shapes for specific foundry requirements --- ### **8. Technical Guidelines for Use** - **Addition Rate:** 2.0–6.0% Cu to the melt (depending on target alloy) - **Melt Temperature:** 700–750°C - **Holding Time:** 30–60 minutes for complete dissolution and homogenization - **Stirring:** Requires thorough mechanical stirring - **Casting Temperature:** 680–720°C for optimum results --- ### **9. Heat Treatment Response** - **Solution Treatment:** 480–530°C depending on specific alloy - **Quenching:** Rapid quenching in water or polymer solutions - **Aging:** Natural aging (T4 temper) or artificial aging (T6 temper) - **Precipitation Sequence:** SSS → GP zones → θ" → θ' → θ (Al₂Cu) --- ### **10. Alloy Series and Applications** | Alloy Series | Cu Content (%) | Key Properties | Typical Applications | |--------------|----------------|----------------|---------------------| | **2xxx (Al-Cu)** | 2.2–6.8 | High strength, fatigue resistance | Aircraft structures | | **2xx.x (Cast)** | 4.0–5.0 | Good castability, strength | Automotive castings | | **2xx.x (High Cu)** | 7.0–11.0 | High strength, wear resistance | Bearings, bushings | --- ### **11. Quality Control Parameters** - Copper content consistency (±0.2%) - Low iron and silicon impurities - Homogeneous microstructure - Controlled intermetallic particle size - Certification to required standards --- ### **12. Health, Safety & Handling** - Use standard foundry personal protective equipment - Avoid excessive exposure to copper fumes during melting - Store in dry conditions to prevent surface oxidation - Follow standard industrial hygiene practices - Ensure adequate ventilation in melting areas --- ### **13. Advantages Over Pure Copper Additions** - **Faster Dissolution:** Lower melting point than pure copper - **Better Recovery:** Higher and more consistent element yield - **Reduced Oxidation:** Lower melt loss during alloying - **Homogeneous Distribution:** More uniform copper distribution in final product - **Process Control:** Precise composition control --- ### **Disclaimer** This information is provided for technical reference only. Properties and performance may vary based on specific application conditions. Users are advised to conduct trials to determine suitability for their processes. The manufacturer is not liable for misuse or application failures. Always follow good foundry practices and safety guidelines, particularly for heat treatment operations.

Packing of Standard Packing: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 2288 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request.