7075 Material: Properties, Processing, And Applications

7075 material

One of the biggest and growing aluminum alloy markets is that of 7075 material. The global 7075-T6 aluminum market was valued at USD 11.1 billion in 2024 and is touted to almost double that in a decade’s time. It is a popular material in CNC machining and other processes that produce parts for many industries.

The aerospace and defence segments of the market are some of the leading users of 7075 aluminum parts, but there are other users worth mentioning. These include automotive, transportation, industrial equipment, and marine. 

In most of these applications, the considerations that point to 7075 material are low weight, high strength, heat dissipation, machining ease, and overall, cost-effectiveness. 

Industry players interested in 7075 aluminum like to work with manufacturers who are experienced and renowned for world-class operations. ProleanTech, with credible referrals, a highly experienced team, and state-of-the-art facilities, fits this requirement.

As you consider a CNC-machined material for your next project, read on for crucial information about 7075 aluminum and its suitability. 

What is 7075 Aluminum?

7075 material

7075 aluminum is an incredibly strong alloy with an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It is not a surprise that many of the stressed parts of aircraft are made of this alloy. Available in plate, flat sheet, and round bar forms, this aluminum alloy suits processing requirements for other industries too, including mold-making.

Looking at the chemical composition, the percentages of copper, magnesium, and zinc is markedly higher than the rest of the alloying elements. Its main alloying element is zinc. This 7075 aluminum composition has a significant impact on the capabilities and applications of the alloy. 

The annealed and soft temper of the alloy is moderately formable. When heat-treated, 7075 aluminum can attain strength proportionate to steel alloys. 

The Chemical Composition of 7075 Aluminum

The chemical composition says a lot about an alloy, and the story is the same for 7075 aluminum composition. Its main alloying element is zinc at a maximum of 6.1% of the weight. However, it contains a relatively signficant amount of magnesium. 

As the table of main components below shows, the alloy contains other critical elements such as copper. 

Chemical Components Of 7075 Aluminum

The Mechanical Properties And Characteristics of 7075 Aluminum

7075 aluminum is popular in many industrial applications for its excellent properties and characteristics. The material exhibits high strength, good fatigue resistance, and admirable toughness. Because of its high tensile strength, this aluminum alloy is useful in highly stressed components, most notably those used in aircraft. 

Strength of 7075 Aluminum

One of the other 7075 aluminum properties is high strength, with the tensile strength and yield strength of the T6 condition at 572 MPa and 503 MPa respectively. This makes the material one of the strongest aluminum alloys, which are comparable to some steels in this respect. 

Welding 7075 aluminum

Yes, 7075 aluminum is strong, but this is the very reason it is difficult to weld the alloy. The material’s structure develops issues during welding. Cracks may develop on the welded part as it cools in a phenomenon called hot cracking. Stress corrosion cracking is also a serious challenge for this material. 

Hot cracking 

For welding to work on the alloy, weld preparation must be done carefully. On top of that, special welding techniques are required. Popular welding approaches to consider are High-Frequency TIG Welding, Friction Stir Welding (FSW), and Pulsed MIG Welding. 

7075 Aluminum Corrosion Resistance 

Corrosion resistance was always going to be a challenge for 7075 aluminum due to the high zinc content. However, users often consider this as a justifiable trade-off considering the strength and workability of the metal. Zinc is essential for the superior strength of this alloy and others in the 7xxx series. 

Corroded aluminum surface

Machinability of 7075 Material 

The high hardness and strength of the alloy makes machining a challenge. Issues that may occur during CNC machining 7075 aluminum include warping, cracking, undercuts, and burrs. The problems are more pronounced in T6 and other heat-treated varieties. 

A CNC machined 7075 aluminum part

If you are wondering about the intricacies of CNC machining, the Comprehensive Guide About CNC Machining gives details of what the process is all about. 

Fortunately, there are several ways around such 7075 aluminum properties. First, the machinist should ensure the workpiece is free of any defect. Other solutions are using the recommended feedrate,  using the appropriate cutting tools, adhering to tool speed recommendations, and securing the workpiece firmly. 

Here is a summarized table of properties and characteristics of the aluminum alloy. 

Summary Table Of Mechanical And Physical Properties For 7075 Material

Advantages Of 7075 Material

This material is best known for its perfect strength-to-weight ratio because of the low 7075 aluminum density, but that is not the only advantage. Applications in aerospace, automotive, and many other high-stress areas also consider several other selling points as the list below indicates. 

• High strength
• High stress and strain resistance 
• Very fine finish when polished
• Relatively good fatigue strength 

7075 material angles

What Are The Disadvantages Of 7075 Aluminum?

Yes, 7075 material provides the pros listed above, but there are tradeoffs for engineers to consider. The limitations highlighted here affect the production process and general cost-effectiveness of the aluminum alloy. 

Here are the limitations of the alloy:

• Corrosion resistance is poor
• Presents machining challenges
• It is challenging to weld
• It has poor formability and workability
• Pricey 

Comparison of 7075 Aluminum To Other Alloys

A good comparison of 7075 alloy composition and other elements would be with 6061 aluminum, 7050 aluminum, 5052 aluminum, and 2024 aluminum. These alternatives have their positives, but as expected, there are shortcomings too. 

6061 aluminum is easy to weld, but does not match the strength. 5052 aluminum is also not as strong, but its corrosion resistance is incredible. As for 2024 aluminum, the selling point is fatigue resistance and strength, but it is prone to corrosion. 

7075 Aluminum vs. 6061 Aluminum 

Both 7075 aluminum and 6061 aluminum have excellent mechanical properties. However, 6061 is more machinable and affordable than 7075. 6061 aluminum also scores higher in corrosion resistance in the 6061 vs. 7075 comparison. 

6061 aluminum

There are more details about 6061 Aluminum vs. Other Alloys in Aluminum CNC Machining, including 7075 aluminum. 

7075 Aluminum vs. 7050 Aluminum

Both alloys belong to the 7XXX series of aluminum. This implies the materials share a lot of mechanical properties. However, there are some noteworthy differences. For instance, 7050 aluminum has better resistance to corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. The alloy is also slightly more machinable than 7075 aluminum. 

7075 Aluminum vs. 5052 Aluminum

5052 aluminum, another common alloy, can be compared to 7075 aluminum in terms of strength, weldability, corrosion resistance, and machinability, among other areas. The two alloys perform differently in most areas. 

5052 aluminum

7075 is stronger, but it comes out short in corrosion resistance, toughness, formability, and weldability. 

7075 Aluminum vs. 2024 Aluminum

2024 aluminum is also very strong, but not as much as 7075 aluminum. The two alloys have comparable corrosion resistance, but 2024 aluminum is easier to machine. 

2024 aluminum

Table Of Comparison, 7075 Aluminum Vs Other Alloys

Related: 2024 Aluminum Alloy Extrusion Process – In-depth Guide, 3003 Aluminum vs. 6061 Aluminum, 6061 VS 6063

Typical Industrial Applications of 7075 Material

With high strength and low weight, 7075 aluminum is easily preferred in many CNC Machining Services and related applications. The aerospace industry is a popular destination for CNC machined 7075 aluminum parts, but so is the automotive industry. 

Engineers are also widely using the alloy for tooling, among other areas briefly discussed below. 

7075 Aluminum For Aerospace 

This high-strength alloy is well-suited for aerospace parts. The material’s 572 MPa tensile strength qualifies it as one of the strongest aluminum alloys. Since the alloy is also machinable and tough, it is highly preferred for different aircraft parts. 

Examples of parts made using the material are:

• Rotor blades
• Engine components
• Fuselage 
• Wings 

7075 material aircraft wing

Contact us today for CNC machined aerospace parts of tolerances as good as ±0.0002″ (0.005mm) with very fast turnaround. 

7075 Material In Automotives

Still for strength, 7075 aluminum is common in this critical industry. Of course, the biggest selling point here is strength, because the highly-stressed car parts need that. 

Alongside that is the low weight. A high strength-to-weight ratio ensures fuel efficiency. The material is suitable for different parts including car body and car wheel. 

7075 aluminum alloy car rims

In Conclusion 

This comprehensive coverage of 7075 material, a strong, lightweight, and touch aluminum alloy popular in high-stress applications. If you are interested in CNC machined parts of the metal, it is important to partner with a reputable supplier with different and relevant manufacturing technologies. 

At ProleanTech, we have established a manufacturing approach that insists on quality from raw material to the finished product. Our suppliers are certified and our manufacturing processes world-class. Our clients can attest to the fact that we deliver value. 

Dont hesitate any longer. Get your quote now!

FAQs

Is 7075 stronger than steel?

7075’ strength is comparable to that of some steels, for instance, mild steel. However, it is not as strong as high-grade steels. 

Is 7075 stronger than 6061?

Yes, 7075 aluminum is much stronger than 6061 aluminum. 

What is the strongest aluminum alloy?

The strongest aluminum is the tempered state of 7075 aluminum (7075-T6) with an ultimate tensile strength of up to 540 MPa.   

Is aluminium 7075 expensive?

Yes, 7075 aluminum is relatively expensive.