People researching 7075 aluminum properties on Google, Quora, and Reddit lately tend to ask the same practical questions: how strong is it in real terms, what it gives up in corrosion resistance, whether it can be welded, and which temper actually fits their job. Below are five of the most common questions, with buyer-oriented answers focused on selection, tradeoffs, and spec language.
7075 is among the highest-strength wrought aluminum alloys. In typical high-strength tempers (especially T6), it can deliver roughly 1.5 to 2 times the yield strength of 6061-T6. That is why it is common in highly loaded structures, fixtures, and performance parts.
However, the phrase "as strong as steel" needs context. Some mild steels have yield strengths in the same general range as 7075-T6, but steel grades vary widely, and steels usually win on stiffness because steel's elastic modulus is about 3 times aluminum's. So a 7075 part may be strong yet still deflect more than a steel part at the same geometry.
What to request on a quote or PO: specify temper and a standard (such as ASTM or EN) and ask for a mill test report showing tensile and yield values. If you are comparing vendors, compare the actual certified minimums, not marketing numbers.
| Alloy and temper | Relative strength | Relative corrosion resistance | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6061-T6 | Medium | Good | General structural parts, frames |
| 7075-T6 | Very high | Moderate to lower | Highly loaded parts, performance components |
| 7075-T73/T7351 | High | Better than T6 | Stress-corrosion-sensitive structures |
If you are comparing within the same family, understanding the broader 7xxx aluminum series helps, because different 7xxx grades balance strength and corrosion differently.
This is one of the hottest questions because it is not just about strength. The short version is:
When people say 7075 has "bad corrosion resistance," they often mean the T6 condition in chloride environments, under tensile stress, or where the surface is damaged. If your part will live outdoors, see salt, or be under sustained load, T73-type tempers are often chosen specifically to reduce SCC risk.
Practical selection tip: If you do not need the last increment of strength, T73 or T7351 is often a safer long-term choice for reliability. If you do need maximum strength, plan for protective finishing (anodizing, paint, cladding where applicable) and design to avoid sustained tensile stress in corrosive service.
7075 is an aluminum-zinc-magnesium-copper alloy. The copper contribution helps strength but can reduce general corrosion resistance compared with lower-strength alloys like 5xxx or 6xxx.
What users experience as "easy corrosion" is often one of these:
Finishes that commonly work well:
| Finish option | What it helps with | Notes to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Type II anodizing | General corrosion, appearance | Thickness is limited, less wear resistance |
| Type III hardcoat anodizing | Wear plus corrosion | Can affect fatigue and dimensions, seal properly |
| Primer plus paint | Barrier protection | Requires good surface prep |
| Conversion coating | Conductivity plus mild protection | Often used under paint |
If the part mates with dissimilar metals, use isolation washers, sealants, or coated fasteners to reduce galvanic attack.
In most purchasing and fabrication settings, 7075 is treated as not recommended for fusion welding. The alloy chemistry and heat treatment make it prone to hot cracking and to major property loss in the heat-affected zone. Even if a weld looks good, the surrounding material may no longer perform like 7075-T6 or T73.
Better alternatives:
If you must join 7075, discuss it with a welding engineer and expect qualification testing, because "works on my bench" is not the same as repeatable production performance.
Recent Q and A threads show many people are surprised that a "strong" alloy can still be very machinable. In practice, 7075 is often chosen because it machines cleanly, holds tolerances well, and produces good surface finish. That said, a few property-related details matter at ordering time.
Machining:
Forming:
Fatigue and toughness expectations:
| Item to specify | Why it matters | Example wording |
|---|---|---|
| Temper | Drives strength, SCC behavior, machinability | 7075-T6 or 7075-T7351 |
| Standard | Aligns chemistry and property minimums | ASTM B209 or EN equivalent |
| Flatness and thickness tolerance | Impacts machining time and yield | Tight tolerance plate or precision sheet |
| Certification | Confirms heat lot and test results | Mill test report required |
If your application is aerospace-leaning or you need consistent certified properties, it can be helpful to source designated products like 7075 Aircraft Aluminum Sheet Plate where documentation and temper control are typically emphasized.
Myth: 7075 is always the best choice if you want "the strongest aluminum."
Reality: Strength depends on temper and section size. Other 7xxx alloys can be competitive, and corrosion or SCC can be the deciding factor.
Myth: If it is anodized, corrosion is no longer a concern.
Reality: Anodizing helps, but edges, fastener areas, and scratches can still initiate corrosion. Design and isolation still matter.
Myth: Welding is fine if you use the right filler.
Reality: Filler choice cannot fully overcome hot cracking risk and heat-treatment property loss.
Original Source:https://www.aircraftaluminium.com/a/7075-aluminum-properties.html
Tags: 7075 aluminum properties , 7075-T6 , 7075-T73 , aluminum strength , corrosion resistance ,
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