Metal
Aluminum 7075
Aerospace aluminum. Near steel strength, but it does not weld or corrode well.
Published values for unfilled grades at 23 °C unless stated. Confirm against the supplier datasheet for the grade you specify.
What it is
7075 is a zinc-alloyed aluminum with roughly twice the yield strength of 6061, putting it in the range of medium-carbon steel while staying light. It is the standard choice for highly loaded machined structure in aerospace, motorsport, and robotics.
The cost is corrosion resistance and weldability. It is susceptible to stress corrosion cracking, and it is effectively unweldable by conventional methods.
Where it is used
- Highly loaded structural brackets and frames
- Motorsport and aerospace machined components
- Robotics arms and joints
- Mold and die components where steel would be too heavy
- High-stress fixtures
Processing notes
Machines well but is harder on tooling than 6061, and it produces a stringier chip.
Do not design welded joints. Fasten or bond.
Anodise for corrosion protection; bare 7075 pits in humid or salt environments.
Available through
Design notes
Use it where the load justifies it. On a lightly loaded part it is simply a more expensive 6061.
Avoid sustained tensile stress in the short-transverse direction, which is where stress corrosion cracking starts.
T7351 temper trades some strength for much better stress corrosion resistance and is worth specifying on long-life parts.
Grades and variants
- 7075-T6, maximum strength
- 7075-T651, stress relieved plate
- 7075-T7351, overaged, better stress corrosion resistance
- Alclad 7075, pure aluminum cladding for corrosion protection
- 2024-T3, alternative high strength alloy with better fatigue life
Alternatives
If Aluminum 7075 is not the right answer
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