In recent years, the anodizing of aluminum alloys has been very popular from military space to civil use. Because aluminum alloy material light, large storage, easy processing, surface treatment effect is good, civil products are used more and more. Especially aviation aluminum alloy 6061,7075,7050, due to its strong hardness (no less than steel), light weight, machining easy to form, surface treatment wide domain degree is relatively high. So the market acceptance is getting better.
When it comes to choosing the right type of aluminum for your project, it can be confusing to know which one to choose. 6061 and 7075 are two of the most common types of aluminum, but what is the difference between them? In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between 6061 and 7075 aluminum, so you can make the best decision for your needs.
What is Aluminium？
Aluminium is a silvery white, soft, non-magnetic, ductile metal in the boron group. By mass, aluminium makes up about of the Earth’s crust; it is the third most abundant element after oxygen and silicon and the most abundant metal in the crust. The abundance of aluminium decreases relative to other elements at greater depths in the Earth’s mantle and crust.
- Pure Aluminium characteristics: Aluminum 99.00% or more, good electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, good welding performance, low strength, no heat treatment strengthening.
- Scope of application: Mainly used for lighting appliances, reflectors, decorations, chemical industrial containers, heat sink, dissolving wiring, conductive materials and special purposes.
- Typical grade of Pure Aluminum: 1050 Aluminum, 1060 Alumin
1050 Aluminum is mainly used in extrusion coils for the food, chemical and brewing industries. 1060 Aluminum is mainly used for high corrosion resistance and molding, but not high strength requirements.
What is 6061 Aluminum?
6061 aluminum alloy is a kind of aluminum alloys with silicon and magnesium as the main alloying elements. Magnesium content is 0.8 — 1.2%, silicon content is 0.4 — 0.8%. It is a general purpose universal aluminum that can be used in a wide variety of applications.
6061 aluminum has the characteristics of easy machining and welding, easy electroplating, good toughness, easy deformation, easy polishing and surface treatment, strong corrosion resistance, and can be heat treated to increase its strength.
What is 7075 Aluminum?
7075 aluminum is an alloy that contains zinc as its primary alloying element. It is different from other aluminum alloys, It is one of the strongest alloys available, making it popular for uses where high strength is required. 7075 aluminum has good weldability and machinability, but it cannot be heat treated like 6061 aluminum.
7 series aluminum alloys contain zinc and magnesium. Zinc is the main alloying element in this series, so corrosion resistance is quite good, and a little magnesium alloy allows the material to be heated to achieve very high strength. 7075 aluminum alloy has excellent weight to strength ratio and is ideal for high stress parts. And can be according to the need, molding processing, heat treatment and other operations.
6061 Aluminum Vs 7075 Aluminum，What is difference?
6061 Vs 7075 Aluminum #1: Chemical Composition
The main alloying elements of 6061 aluminum are magnesium and silicon, while the main alloying element of 7075 aluminum is zinc. Here’s a list of their ingredients:
| Chemical Elements | 6061 Aluminum | 7075 Aluminum |
| Al | bal. | bal. |
| Cr | 0.04 - 0.35% | 0.18 - 0.28% |
| Cu | 0.15 - 0.4% | 1.2 - 2% |
| Fe | ||
| Mg | 0.8 - 1.2% | 2.1 - 2.9% |
| Mn | ||
| Si | 0.4 - 0.8% | |
| Ti | 0.15% | 0.2% |
| Zn | 5.1 - 6.1% |
6061 Vs 7075 Aluminum #2: Material physical characteristics
| Material Physical | 6061 Aluminum | 7075 Aluminum |
| Density | 2.70 g/cm3 | 2.81 g/cm3 |
| Melting Point | 582 - 652°C | 477 - 635 °C |
| Yield Strength | 276 MPa | 503 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 310 MPa | 572 MPa | Thermal Expansion | 23.4 x10^-6 /K | 173 W/m-K |
| Brinell Hardness | 95 HB | 150 HB |
| Elongation | 17% | 11% |
| Machinability | Excellent | Good |
| Weldability | Yes | No |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 69 GPa | 72 GPa |
| Electrical Resistivity | 3.99 x 10-6 ohm-cm | 5.15e-006 ohm-cm |
| Thermal Conductivity | 166 W/m.K | 130 W/m-K |
6061 Vs 7075 Aluminum #3: Mechanical characteristics
6061-T651 is heat-treated to achieve high strength. 7075-T651 has excellent mechanical properties and is used in the manufacture of aircraft structures and other high-stress parts.
6061 Vs 7075 Aluminum #4: Application
6061 Aluminum is used in the manufacture of aircraft parts, camera parts, ship parts, valve parts, trucks, trailers, boats, furniture and construction applications.
7075 aluminum alloy is mainly used for manufacturing aircraft structures and other high-stress parts. For example, the bearing components of aircraft, landing gear, rockets, propellers，spacecraft.
As you can see, there are many differences between 6061 and 7075 aluminum. When choosing the right type of aluminum for your project, be sure to keep these differences in mind so you can make the best decision for your needs.
6061 Vs 7075 Aluminum #5: Processing technology
6061 aluminum is a versatile heat treatable aluminum alloys that can fabricated by milling, drilling, tapping, punching and machining.It has good weldability and can be easily joined by all methods. 7075 aluminum is a zinc-alloyed aluminum with good weldability and machinability, but it cannot be heat treated like 6061 aluminum. Both 6061 and 7075 aluminum can be anodized to improve corrosion resistance and wear resistance.
6061 Vs 7075 Aluminum #6: Costs
6061 in the market sales, utilization rate is higher than 7075, usually 6061 is the highest sales of aluminum alloy material, because its performance is basically consistent with various mechanical processing, equipment processing and other industrial uses, has been a household aluminum alloy brand, in the traditional use has been the majority of manufacturers praise.
Therefore, it is a habit to choose 6061 as raw material. The production and processing cost of 6061 is also relatively low, so the supply and use of 6061 are relatively huge.
Generally, the price of 6061 is 3-6 $US a kilogram, and 7075 is 5-12 $US a kilogram, so the general choice can choose 6061, rather than 7075, because the price of 7075 is relatively high, generally for aviation aluminum alloy materials.
FAQs
Q: What is the heat treatment process of aluminum?
A: The heat treatment of aluminum is a process that alters the physical and mechanical properties of aluminum. Heat treatment can be used to increase the strength, hardness, and/or ductility of aluminum. It can also be used to improve the corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, or machinability of aluminum.
Q: What are the standards of aluminum alloy?
A: The standards of aluminum alloy are set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the International Alloy Designation System (IADS).
Q: What are the most common types of aluminum alloys?
A:The most common types of aluminum alloys are 6061, 7075, and 5052. 6061 aluminum is the most widely used alloy, offering a good balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and machinability. 7075 aluminum is strong and resistant to stress cracking, making it ideal for aerospace applications. 5052 aluminum is soft and easy to weld, making it a popular choice for applications such as fuel tanks and boat hulls.
Q: What are the surface finish of aluminum alloys?
A:The surface finishes of aluminum alloy can be anodized, polished, brushed, or mill finished. Anodizing is a process that increases the corrosion resistance of aluminum by increasing the thickness of its oxide layer. Polishing and brushing can improve the appearance of aluminum. Mill finishing is a process that leaves the surface of aluminum with a dull, matte finish.
Q: What are some common applications for 6061 aluminum?
A: Some common applications for 6061 aluminum include aircraft structures, automotive industries, truck and trailer frames, machine parts, and sporting goods. 6061 aluminum is commonly used in the food and beverage industry due to its corrosion resistance and sanitary properties. It is also used in the construction industry for a variety of applications such as windows, doors, roofs, and siding. 6061 aluminum is also a popular choice for making recreational equipment such as boats, bikes, and camping gear.
Author
Gavin Leo is a technical writer at Aria with 8 years of experience in Engineering, He proficient in machining characteristics and surface finish process of various materials. and participated in the development of more than 100complex injection molding and CNC machining projects. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience.