Aluminum alloys are widely used in construction, aerospace, electronics, new energy, sports equipment and automobiles due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratio, high relative strength, corrosion resistance and workability. 6061 and 7075 aluminum are two kinds of aircraft grade aluminum. Which is better to choose?
6061 Aluminum
The main alloys of 6061 plate are Mg and Si. It has good tensile strength, which can be improved by tempering treatment, and has good corrosion resistance, weldability and workability. Its machinability makes it the right choice for many extrusion projects because it is easy to shape.
7075 Aluminum
7075 aluminum uses Zinc as the main alloy component and is known for its high strength. Then the tempering treatment can further enhance its high mechanical strength. This high strength makes it very popular in the aerospace and defense industries.
Its strength is comparable to many types of steel, but the density is much lower. In high-stress applications, this alloy is a good substitute for steel. It is also excellent in resisting fatigue stress, making it very reliable.
7075 alloy only has average corrosion resistance and poor weldability. Another disadvantage of this alloy is that it has a relatively high cost compared to other aluminum alloys.
Comparison of Performance of 6061 and 7075 Alloys
6061 Aluminum | 7075 Aluminum |
Si and Mg are main alloys | Zn, Mg and Cu are main alloys |
Structural grade aluminum alloy | Structural grade aluminum alloy |
Medium strength, can be very high after tempering | High strength, even higher after tempering |
High strength to weight ratio | High strength to weight ratio |
Good corrosion resistance | Average corrosion resistance |
Good weldability, workability | Conventional machinability, as well as poor weldability and workability. |
It has high versatility and can be used in many industries. | It is mainly for high-strength applications, especially aerospace industry. |
Typical Applications of 6061 and 7075 Aluminum
6061 Plate | 7075 Plate |
Building material | Aircraft wings and fuselage |
Electrical products | Aerospace Parts |
Pipeline | Gears and shafts |
Bicycle frame | Worm gear |
Furniture | Control valve |
Car parts | Fuse parts |
Should you Choose 6061 Plate or 7075 Aluminum
Both alloys are of high strength-to-weight ratio, and each has advantages in specific applications. Therefore, the choice of alloy depends on the the specific use and the budget.
Original Source:https://www.aircraftaluminium.com/a/which-is-better-6061-plate-or-7075-aluminum.html
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