7075 Aluminum: Everything You Should Know
Aluminum is a widely used versatile material that has many grades. 7075 aluminum is also a very commonly opted grade, which has multiple applications and properties.
If you are looking to use 7075 aluminum in your projects and want to learn about it, read the guide below.
What is Aluminum Alloy?
Aluminum alloys are metals that have aluminum as the prime metal, followed by other elements like tin, copper, magnesium, etc. The combination of these alloying elements with aluminum creates a new grade that modifies the structure and properties of the aluminum.
Composition of 7075 Aluminum
Aluminum 7075 is an aluminum alloy which has the following alloying elements:
- 87 to 91% of aluminum
- 5 to 6% of zinc
- 0-0.3% of manganese
- 1.2 to 2% of copper
- 2.1-2.9% of magnesium
- 0-0.5% iron
- 0.0-0.2% titanium
- 0.18-2% chromium
- 0.05-0.15% other types of elements
These elements, when added to aluminum in such small amounts, modify the properties of aluminum and make it suitable for different applications.
Properties of Aluminum 7075
Aluminum 7075 has the following properties:
- It has a density of 2.81 g/cm3 and a tensile strength of 228-572MPa; the yield strength is 103-503MPa.
- The modulus of elasticity ranges between 71.7 to 72.4 GPa, and Brinell hardness is 60-150.
- Shear modulus is 26.9-27 GPa, and elongation at break is 5% to 19%. The shear strength is 152-331 MPa, and the fatigue strength is up to 159 MPa.
- Aluminum 7075 offers a thermal conductivity of 130-173 W/mK and a specific heat capacity of 0.96KJ/kg°C.
- It has a melting point of 477°C.
- Aluminum 7075 has moderate corrosion resistance and high machinability, but it does not possess good weldability.
Advantages of Using Aluminum 7075
The advantages of opting for aluminum 7075 for the different projects are as follows:
- Aluminum 7075 offers a high strength-to-weight ratio.
- It works well under stress due to its high fatigue resistance. Therefore, applications where components are subjected to pressure may find aluminum 7075 suitable.
- Aluminum 7075 is highly machinable and can be opted for manufacturing components.
- Aluminum 7075 is not highly corrosion resistant, but some of its tempers, like T73, are suitable for marine and outdoor applications.
- It has a high modulus of elasticity and offers to be dimensionally stable.
Limitations of Aluminum 7075
Aluminum 7075 offers benefits but also has some limitations; some of these limitations are as follows:
- Aluminum 7075 has limited weldability and requires special techniques for welding, also, it has a tendency to crack during the process of welding.
- When compared to other aluminum grades, aluminum 7075 offers limited corrosion resistance and hence cannot be used in moisture-based environments unless treated.
- Aluminum alloys, apart from 7075, are quite affordable, whereas 7075 is very expensive and cannot be a suitable choice for budgeted projects.
Manufacturing Process of Aluminum 7075
The manufacturing process of aluminum 7075 involves different techniques, and the three most popular methods are given below.
CNC Machining
CNC machining of 7075 aluminum uses a process of manufacturing controlled by software. A block of aluminum 7075 is used, and the cutting tools allow for the shaping and manufacturing of components.
Aluminum 7075 offers good machinability and tends to produce highly precise components. Applications that need aluminum 7075 components with tight tolerance opt for CNC machining.
Aluminum Extrusion
The aluminum extrusion process helps manufacture components from aluminum 7075. In this process, aluminum is heated and forced through a die so that components with the shape of the die are created.
The process is suitable for manufacturing multiple components with consistency and a long structure. This process offers components with improved mechanical properties and is cost-effective.
Die Casting
Die casting process consists of injecting the aluminum 7075 in molten form into the molds using high pressure. Once the material has cooled down and solidified, it takes the shape of the mold.
The components manufactured through die casting offer consistent quality and are usually complex in shape.
Comparing Aluminum 7075 with Other Alloys
There are different alloys of aluminum, and comparisons of aluminum 7075 with those alloys are given below.
Aluminum 7075 vs. Aluminum 6061
Aluminum 6061 is also known as structure aluminum and is used in the construction industry. It is mostly opted for the purpose of extruding pipes, tubes, aluminum bars, etc. It is a versatile material and is opted for heat sinks and bicycle frames.
Compared to 7075, it has better corrosion resistance, high machinability, and is even weldable. However, the strength of 6061 is not as good as that of 7075.
Aluminum 7075 vs. Aluminum 2024
Aluminum 2024 is popular in aerospace applications and is opted for fuselages and wings of an aircraft. It is durable and is chosen for applications that need cyclic fatigue resistance.
7075 aluminum, on the other hand, is suitable for applications that have a high-strain and pressure environment. The two of these do not offer high weldability and even have the same machinability.
However, 7075 has better corrosion resistance, whereas 2024 has better workability.
Applications of Aluminum 7075
The applications of aluminum 7075 can be seen in different industries; some of these applications are as follows:
Aerospace: It is used in wings, fuselages, and structural components of aircraft due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.
Automobile: In the automobile industry, high-performance vehicles are mostly opted for to manufacture their components like chassis, driveshafts, and suspension parts.
Marine: Marine applications also use aluminum 7075 but require some additional coatings so that marine components made of aluminum 7075 resist corrosion.
Tools and Molds: Aluminum 7075 offers high strength, which is suitable for manufacturing tools, dies and molds for different manufacturing processes.
Conclusion
When selecting aluminum 7075 alloy, understanding its properties proves to be highly significant.
As you have gone through the guide, you must now know important details about aluminum 7075. If you need to have aluminum 7075 components manufactured with high accuracy, contact us at DEK.
