2A12 is a high-strength duralumin, belonging to the aluminum-copper-magnesium alloy. One of characteristic is heat resistance, use for the spare parts which is working at 150 Degree centigrade. It has serious requirement to the heat treatment. This material is widely used in producing the truck wheel rim, airplane structures, Propeller. The material cost is higher than other aluminium.
Last year, we had a chance to produce one high precision machining part with material 2A12, The outlook of finished part is oval, machining from the solid bar is the good way to save machining cost. To our surprised, the raw material cracked easily when cutting the pieces. This caused of stress release. It increased a lot of production cost. Next time, we try to do it from the plate instead of round bar. The problem solved. Although there are more material milled, but this increasing cost is much better than material scrap during cutting.
This is what we paid during first time production, but we learn more from the failure, and know more about this material.
