EN 2422:2005

Overview

EN 2422:2005 is a European standard that specifies the technical requirements for aluminium alloy AL-P2124-T351 plates intended for aerospace applications. These plates have thicknesses ranging from greater than 25 mm up to 120 mm. Developed by the European Association of Aerospace Manufacturers (AECMA) and ratified by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), this standard supports uniform quality and performance across aerospace metal products within the European market.

The standard fits within the aerospace series of metallic material standards, ensuring consistent specifications for aluminum alloy plates used in critical aerospace components. It defines chemical composition, mechanical properties, production methods, and testing procedures to guarantee the reliability and safety demanded by aerospace applications.

Key Topics

• Material Specification
  The aluminium alloy covered is AL-P2124-T351, characterized by specific chemical limits including:

  • Copper content between 3.8% minimum to 4.9% maximum
  • Other elements such as Si, Fe, Mn, Mg, Cr, Zn, Ti limited to specified maximum percentages
  • Aluminium as the base metal

• Plate Thickness Range
  The standard applies to plates with a thickness (denoted as 'a') greater than 25 mm and up to 120 mm.

• Delivery Condition and Heat Treatment
  Plates are supplied in the T351 temper condition, which involves:

  • Solution heat treatment between 490 °C and 500 °C
  • Water quenching with a maximum water temperature of 40 °C
  • Controlled stretching (1.5% to 3%)
  • Natural aging for at least 5 days at ambient temperature

• Mechanical Properties
  The standard specifies minimum values for various mechanical parameters, tested at ambient temperature and depending on the thickness and the test direction (longitudinal, transverse, short transverse), including:

  • Proof stress (Rp0.2) between 245 MPa and 310 MPa depending on thickness and orientation
  • Tensile strength (Rm) ranging from 355 MPa to over 430 MPa
  • Elongation at break (A) with minimum required percentages based on thickness and direction

• Testing and Inspection
  Requirements for sample preparation, internal and external defect detection, batch uniformity, dimensional inspection, and marking are referenced to EN 4400-1, the technical specification for aerospace aluminium plates.

• Product Qualification
  Qualification programs must be agreed upon between manufacturer and purchaser to ensure compliance with this standard.

Applications

EN 2422:2005 aluminium alloy AL-P2124-T351 plates are primarily designed for use in aerospace structures and components where high strength, good fracture toughness, and excellent fatigue resistance are critical. Typical applications include:

• Aircraft structural elements such as fuselage frames, wing box components, and bulkheads
• Aerospace industry manufacturing requiring reliable, certified aluminium materials
• Components subjected to demanding environmental and mechanical stress conditions
• Situations where precise mechanical property limits and plate dimensions are crucial for safety and performance

This standard ensures that aerospace manufacturers have access to aluminium plates with consistent quality, enabling the production of lightweight yet strong aircraft parts that meet international aerospace safety regulations.

Related Standards

• EN 4258: Aerospace series - Metallic materials - General organization of standardization - Links between types of EN standards and their use
• EN 4400-1: Aerospace series - Aluminium and aluminium alloy wrought products - Technical specification - Part 1: Plate
• EN 4500-2: Aerospace series - Metallic materials - Rules for drafting and presentation of material standards - Part 2: Specific rules for aluminium, aluminium alloys and magnesium alloys

Together, these standards provide a comprehensive framework for the selection, testing, and certification of aluminium alloys in aerospace applications, facilitating interoperability and quality assurance across the industry.

Keywords: EN 2422:2005, aluminium alloy AL-P2124-T351, aerospace aluminium plates, aerospace material standards, aluminium alloy plates, aerospace manufacturing standards, aerospace structural materials, aluminium plate specifications, aerospace metal quality, CEN aerospace standards.