2A16 alloy is a heat-treated Al-Cu-Mn heat-resistant aluminium alloy. It is also a cryogenic alloy and can be used at very cold temperatures. It has high endurance strength at 250 ~ 350 C, and can be used for a long time in this temperature range. Its room temperature strength is lower than that of 2A12 alloy. The alloy has good weldability. It can be welded by electric welding, rolling welding and argon arc welding. Friction stir welding has excellent performance. The natural failure rate of alloy after solution treatment is slow and the incubation period is long. It is one of the most deformed aluminium alloys used in spacecraft.
The chemical composition of 2A16 alloy is similar to that of 2219 alloy in the United States. 2219 alloy is mainly used in rocket and spacecraft to manufacture fuel tanks and combustion aids. Because of the development and maturity of automatic welding technology, especially friction stir welding, 2219 alloy was used instead. From the point of view of stress corrosion cracking properties, 2219 alloy is superior to 2014 alloy. The short transverse stress corrosion cracking stress of the latter is 53.9N/mm2. 2219 alloy, which is a good material for making rocket fuel tank. It is not only a heat-resistant alloy, but also its low temperature performance increases with the decrease of temperature.
 
2A16 alloy has high heat resistance and good weldability. It can be used to manufacture parts working at 250 - 350℃, such as discs, engine blades, etc.
 
2A16 alloy has high thermoplasticity and can roll plate, extrude profile, forge free forgings with complex shape and die forgings smoothly.