Aluminum Alloy 7075 (UNS A97075)

Aluminum 7075 is a high-strength aluminum alloy known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It belongs to the 7000 series of aluminum alloys, which are commonly used in aerospace, military, and industrial applications where strength and toughness are critical.
Chemical Composition | ||
---|---|---|
Element | Min | Max |
Aluminum | 86.9% | 91.4% |
Chromium | 0.18% | 0.28% |
Copper | 1.2% | 2.0% |
Iron | —— | 0.5% |
Magnesium | 2.1% | 2.9% |
Manganese | —— | 0.3% |
Silicon | —— | 0.4% |
Titanium | —— | 0.2% |
Zinc | 5.1% | 6.1% |
Zirconium | —— | 0.25% |
Residuals | —— | 0.15% |
The following table provides a list of aluminum 7075 properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units.
Click on the button to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
Physical Properties | Metric |
---|---|
Density | 2810 kg/m3 |
Mechanical Properties | Metric |
Tensile Strength | 240 - 590 MPa |
Yield Strength | 120 - 510 MPa |
Shear Strength | 150 - 340 MPa |
Fatigue Strength | 110 - 190 MPa |
Young’s Modulus (E) | 70 GPa |
Shear Modulus (G) | 26 GPa |
Elongation at Break | 12% |
Poisson’s Ratio (ν) | 0.33 |
Brinell Hardness | 150 HB |
Thermal Properties | Metric |
Melting Point | 477 - 635 °C |
Thermal Conductivity | 130 - 150 W/m·K |
Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 870 J/kg·K |
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 2.36×10-5 1/°C |
Electrical Properties | Metric |
Electrical Conductivity | 1.9×107 S/m |
Electrical Resistivity | 5.2×10-8 Ω·m |
The values in this table are approximate and can vary depending on various factors such as the specific manufacturing process and heat treatment applied to the alloy.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Aluminum 7075
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
High strength-to-weight ratio | Difficult to weld |
Excellent fatigue resistance | Lower formability |
Good machinability | High cost |
Corrosion resistance | Limited availability |
Applications of Aluminum 7075
Aluminum 7075 is the material of choice for mission-critical applications demanding uncompromising strength and lightweight durability, including:
- Aerospace: Widely used in aircraft structures, wings, fuselages, and other components where weight reduction is critical without compromising strength, thanks to its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.
- Defense and Military: Favored for military aircraft, helicopters, armored vehicles, and missile components due to its outstanding strength and toughness.
- Automotive: Used in high-performance vehicles for suspension components, chassis parts, wheels, and other areas where lightweight construction and strength are crucial for improved performance.
- Sporting Goods: Ideal for bicycle frames, rock climbing equipment (carabiners, crampons), tent poles, and other outdoor gear that requires strength and durability.
- Marine Industry: Utilized in boat hulls, marine fittings, and structures that need to withstand harsh marine environments due to its corrosion resistance.
- High-Performance Machinery: Employed in industrial machinery and equipment requiring high strength, including CNC machines, hydraulic systems, and robotics.
- Firearms: Commonly used for receivers, handguards, and pistol frames where strength and light weight contribute to performance and maneuverability.
- Tooling and Fixtures: Excellent machinability makes it suitable for jigs, fixtures, molds, and other applications demanding high strength and dimensional stability.