Aluminium ENAW-AlCu6BiPb(A) Bar & Rod(EU EN, DIN, WNR)

Product Description

The material designation EN AW-AlCu6BiPb(A) (often written as EN AW-2011 or 2011A) bridges older German national standards (DIN) and current European harmonized standards (EN). It represents the definitive "free-cutting" or "free-machining" aluminum alloy, engineered explicitly for high-yield automatic lathe production and high-speed CNC machining.

Standard & System Cross-Reference

When specifying this material across global supply chains or reading legacy engineering drawings, the standard designations map as follows:

• European Numerical Standard (EN): EN AW-2011 or EN AW-2011A (per EN 573-3)

• European Chemical Standard (EN): EN AW-AlCu6BiPb(A)

• German Standard (DIN): AlCuBiPb or AlCu6BiPb

• German Material Number (WNr.): 3.1655

• US Standard (AA/AISI): 2011

Chemical Profile and the Role of Chip Breakers

The alloying matrix relies heavily on copper for base precipitation strengthening, combined with controlled additions of Bismuth (Bi) and Lead (Pb). These low-melting-point metallic inclusions remain elemental and un-dissolved within the aluminum matrix. During machining, the localized heat generates microscopic zones of weakness, causing the chips to fracture instantly into small, manageable curls rather than long, dangerous ribbons.

⚠️ Compliance Note: Because EN AW-2011 contains up to 0.60% lead, it faces strict scrutiny under environmental directives like EU RoHS and REACH. While specific exemptions have historically permitted its use in machining alloys, engineering departments frequently transition new designs to compliant, lead-free alternative alloys such as EN AW-2030 or EN AW-6026.

Mechanical Standards and Properties (EN 755-2)

Bars and rods are most frequently produced via extrusion (EN 755) or cold drawing (EN 754). Cold drawing yields tighter dimensional tolerances and slightly elevated tensile baselines.

The material is commonly ordered in either T3 (solution heat-treated, cold-controlled, and naturally aged) or T8 (solution heat-treated, cold-controlled, and artificially aged) states.

Typical Mechanical Ranges ($\le$ 50mm / 2" Diameter)

Application and Fabricability Guidelines

• Machinability Index: 100% (Excellent). It sets the benchmark for aluminum machining. It permits maximum spindle speeds, reduced cutting fluid dependency, and leaves an exceptional as-machined surface finish.

• Joinability: Poor. The inclusion of low-melting-point free-machining elements creates extreme hot-shortness during fusion welding, resulting in extensive micro-cracking. Friction welding or mechanical joining are the only viable routes.

• Corrosion Resistance: Low. Like most 2000-series copper alloys, it lacks the passive resistance of 5000 or 6000-series profiles. It is prone to atmospheric pitting and should be anodized or coated if deployed in aggressive environments.