Understanding the Difference Between 6061 Aluminum Plate and 7075 Aluminum Sheet

Introduction to 6061 aluminum plate

6061 aluminum plate is a type of aluminum alloy in the 6000 series, with magnesium and silicon as its primary alloys and a lower total composition ratio. Its strength is lower than that of 7005 aluminum. However, because of the simple alloy composition and low content, it is relatively easy to weld and press, making it more affordable. The main alloy elements in the 6061 alloy are magnesium and silicon, which have medium strength, good corrosion resistance, weldability, and good oxidation effect. They are widely used in various industrial structural components that require a certain strength and high corrosion resistance. 6061 is the most common aluminum material, lightweight, strong, and economically affordable.

Introduction to 7075 aluminum sheet

7075 aluminum sheet is a type of cold treated forging alloy, with high strength, far surpassing that of soft steel. It is one of the strongest commercial alloys. It has good corrosion resistance, good mechanical properties, and anodic reaction. The small grain size makes it better for deep drilling performance, enhances tool wear resistance, and is different from other threaded rolling.

7075 aluminum sheet belongs to the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu series of super-hard aluminum. The 7075 alloy was applied to aircraft manufacturing as early as the late 1940s and still widely used in the aviation industry today as a high-strength deformation aluminum alloy. The characteristic of 7075 aluminum sheet is that it has good plasticity after solid solution treatment, special good heat treatment strengthening effect, high strength below 150℃, and special low-temperature strength. Poor welding performance, tendency of stress corrosion cracking, need to be used after aluminum packaging or other protective treatment. Dual heat treatment can improve the alloy's ability to resist stress corrosion cracking. The stable solid solution has good plasticity after heat treatment, and the heat treatment strengthening effect is particularly good. The super strength of 7075 also has the nickname of steel.

7075 aluminum sheet is powerful, comparable to many steels in strength, and has good fatigue strength and average machineability, but has poor resistance and is more corrosive than many other aluminum alloys. Its relatively high cost limits its use, and inexpensive alloys are not suitable for its application. 7075 is also an aluminum material in the 7000 series, with the same composition as 7005, but the content is much higher, and the hardness is far greater than 6061. It exceeds the hardness of steel. However, due to the more complex alloy composition, the hardness is extremely high, making welding and pressing very difficult.

Differences in uses between 6061 aluminum plate and 7075 aluminum sheet

Because of its price, 6061 aluminum plate can be used in various places that require aluminum alloy materials with low requirements, while 7075 aluminum plate and 7005 aluminum sheet  are usually used in aerospace, commercial applications requiring high hardness and small density. Therefore, 7075 aluminum plate is usually called commercial aluminum alloy.

6061 Aluminium Tube

5182 Aluminum Sheet

1050 Aluminium Plate