AL · aluminium
Aluminium 7075-T6
Harder than 6061, so it cuts cleanly and takes a sharper edge, but it is less forgiving of a rubbing tool and it is not weldable in any useful sense.
Quoting this material
- Typical lead time
- 7–12 working days
- Condition
- T6 - solution heat treated and artificially aged
- Achievable finish
- Ra 1.6 µm typical · Ra 0.4 µm best
Choosing between two grades? 6061-T6 vs 7075-T6 compared →
Machined in-house to your drawing: see the precision CNC machining service and the machine and inspection capability it runs on.
Machinability
Our own 1–10 shop ranking, not a published index: 10 is free-cutting brass C360, 1 is Inconel 718. It ranks how a material behaves on the floor - cycle time, chip control and tool life together. Where a published index exists it is quoted in the note.
Harder than 6061, so it cuts cleanly and takes a sharper edge, but it is less forgiving of a rubbing tool and it is not weldable in any useful sense.
Properties as supplied
| Parameter | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 572 | MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 503 | MPa |
| Elongation | 11 | % |
| Hardness | 150 | HB |
| Thermal conductivity | 130 | W/m·K |
| Modulus of elasticity | 71.7 | GPa |
Hardness, tensile and thermal figures are typical published values for the condition stated. Actual mill certificates govern; send the specification with the drawing and we confirm against the certificate before the material is cut.
Condition
T6 - solution heat treated and artificially aged
Heat treatment
No post-machining hardening. T7351 is available and slightly more stress-relief-stable; that is a mill selection, not something the machine shop can create.
Achievable surface finish
Ra 1.6 µm
Ra 0.4 µm
Anodises to a harder, more wear-resistant coating than 6061 - a common reason to choose it on its own.
Tooling and cutting parameters
Cutting speed
- 400–700 m/min (carbide)
Feed
- 0.10–0.30 mm/rev turning · 0.08–0.20 mm/tooth milling
Tooling
- Uncoated or TiAlN carbide with a strong edge; avoid razor-sharp geometry that chips
Coolant
- Flood preferred - the harder alloy generates more heat at the edge
Starting points for carbide on a rigid setup, not a guarantee. The right numbers depend on the machine, the toolholder and the fixturing - ask and we will say what we would actually run.
Typical applications
- Aerospace structural fittings
- Motorsport suspension and upright components
- High-load clamps and tooling bodies
- Robotics arms and end-effectors
- Firearm and defence components
DFM notes for this grade
- Not weldable - if the design needs a joint, it needs a different alloy or a mechanical joint
- Susceptible to stress corrosion cracking in T6; T7351 is the answer if the part sees sustained load in a wet environment
- Higher strength means higher cutting forces: a thin rib that a 6061 part tolerates will chatter in 7075
Questions buyers ask
- When is 7075 worth the price over 6061?
- When the part is strength- or stiffness-limited and there is no room to grow the section. 7075 is roughly twice the strength, so a fitting can be half the size for the same load - which on an aerospace or motorsport part is usually the whole point.
- Can 7075 be anodised or does it need a different coating?
- It anodises well and the coating is harder than on 6061, which is a legitimate reason to specify it. Hard anodising on 7075 is common for wear surfaces. Bare, unprotected 7075 is poor in corrosion compared with 6061, so leaving it unfinished is not an option in a wet environment.