6061 and 7075 aluminum alloys are both widely used high-performance materials, each with unique characteristics and application fields.
- 6061 aluminum alloy: more suitable for applications requiring good machinability, weldability, corrosion resistance, and moderate strength, widely used in industries such as construction, automotive, and aerospace components.
- 7075 aluminum alloy: suitable for applications requiring high strength, such as aerospace, military equipment, racing, and high-strength structural components. Although it is less favorable in machinability and weldability compared to 6061, its strength and hardness are unmatched.
If high strength and the ability to withstand extreme stress are required, 7075 is the ideal choice; if better machinability and stronger corrosion resistance are needed, 6061 is more suitable.
Aluminum 6061 vs 7075 Chemical Composition and Basic Properties
6061 Aluminum Alloy
Main alloying elements: Silicon (Si) and Magnesium (Mg).
Contains small amounts of Copper (Cu) and Manganese (Mn).
The advantages of this alloy include its good machinability, formability, and weldability, along with excellent corrosion resistance, making it suitable for applications requiring higher corrosion resistance.
Main alloying element: Zinc (Zn), and contains small amounts of Magnesium, Copper, Chromium, etc.
Compared to 6061, 7075 has a higher zinc content, giving it extremely high strength, especially after heat treatment, making it suitable for applications requiring very high strength.
| Element | Composition (%) | |
| 6061 Alloy | 7075 Alloy | |
| Si | 0.4-0.8 | 0.40 |
| Fe | 0.7 | 0.50 |
| Cu | 0.15-0.4 | 1.2-2.0 |
| Mn | 0.15 | 0.30 |
| Mg | 0.8-1.2 | 2.1-2.9 |
| Cr | 0.04-0.35 | 0.18-0.28 |
| Ni | - | - |
| Zn | 0.25 | 5.1-6.1 |
| Ti | 0.15 | 0.20 |
| Others:Each | 0.05 | 0.05 |
| Others:Total | 0.15 | 0.15 |
| Aluminiumin. | Remainder | Remainder |
6061 vs 7075 Aluminum Alloy Strength and Performance
Tensile Strength
7075 T6 is one of the strongest aluminum alloys on the market, suitable for high-stress applications such as aerospace.
While 6061 T6 is not as strong as 7075, it still has very good strength and broad applicability.
Shear Strength
The shear strength of 7075 T6 is approximately 1.5 times that of 6061 T6, further enhancing its advantage in high-strength applications.
Hardness
Due to its higher zinc content, 7075 T6 also has significantly better hardness than 6061 T6. The hardness of 7075 is higher, making it suitable for parts that require wear resistance.
| Material properties | 6061 Aluminum alloy | 7075 Aluminum alloy |
| Yield strength | 276 MPa | 503 MPa |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 68.9 GPa | 71.7 GPa |
| Thermal conductivity | 167 W/m-K | 130 W/m-K |
| Melting point | 582 - 652°C | 477 - 635°C |
| Electrical resistivity | 3.99 x 10-6 ohm-cm | 5.15 x10-6 ohm-cm |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 95 | 150 |
| Machinability | Good | Fair |
6061 vs 7075 Aluminum Alloy Machinability and Formability
6061 Aluminum Alloy
- Machinability: Excellent, suitable for various machining processes such as cutting, milling, and drilling.
- Formability: Outstanding, suitable for the manufacturing of complex structural components.
- Weldability: Excellent, 6061 alloy can be joined through various welding methods (such as TIG and MIG welding).
7075 Aluminum Alloy
- Machinability: Moderate machinability, due to its high strength, it also has a higher hardness, making the machining process more difficult and requiring higher tools and machining techniques.
- Formability: Poor, due to its high hardness, effective forming can only be done in a heat-treated state.
- Weldability: Not as good as 6061, the high strength of 7075 causes issues with the heat-affected zone during welding, and it needs to be annealed before welding.
Both 6061 and 7075 aluminum alloys have good machinability, but 6061 alloy has lower hardness and tensile strength, making it easier to machine due to its lower hardness and better formability, whereas 7075 is more challenging to machine.
6061 vs 7075 Aluminum Alloy Corrosion Resistance
| Property | 6061 Aluminum Alloy | 7075 Aluminum Alloy |
| Corrosion Resistance | Exhibits good corrosion resistance, especially in marine and chemical corrosive environments. | Relatively lower corrosion resistance, particularly in saltwater environments, but its corrosion resistance can be improved with coatings or anodizing. |
| Anodizing | Excellent anodizing performance, forming a transparent protective oxide layer that enhances corrosion resistance. | 7075 alloy can also undergo anodizing, but if the zinc content is too high, the oxide layer may turn brown. However, 7075 still has very high strength. |
6061 vs 7075 Aluminum Alloy Heat Treatment and Strength Enhancement
6061 Aluminum Alloy
Common heat treatment state is T6 (solution heat-treated and artificially aged), which significantly enhances its strength, making it widely used in aerospace, construction, and other fields.
After heat treatment, 6061's strength is moderate, suitable for most non-high-stress applications.
7075 Aluminum Alloy
7075 is mainly strengthened through T6 state (solution heat-treated and aged), and in T6 state, its tensile strength and shear strength are much higher than that of 6061.
7075 alloy can also achieve very high strength through heat treatment, making it the material of choice for aerospace and military fields.
6061 vs 7075 Aluminum Alloy Applications
6061 Aluminum Alloy Applications
| Application | Description |
| Aircraft Parts and Structures | 6061 aluminum alloy is commonly used in aircraft parts and structures because it provides good strength and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for components such as aircraft exteriors, wing frames, and door frames. Its weldability and machinability make the manufacturing process more efficient, and it performs excellently in the aerospace environment. |
| Automotive and Truck Parts | 6061 aluminum alloy is used in automotive and truck parts, especially in body frames, doors, hoods, and suspension systems. The alloy has a good strength-to-weight ratio, which helps reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, thereby improving fuel efficiency. It also has excellent corrosion resistance, making it suitable for use in variable road and weather conditions. |
| Yachts and Ship Components | 6061 aluminum alloy is widely used in the manufacturing of yacht and ship components, such as hull frames, hatch covers, and window frames. Its excellent corrosion resistance makes it an ideal material for marine environments, effectively resisting corrosion caused by saltwater and moisture. |
| Building Materials (e.g., Window Frames, Door Frames, Railings) | In building materials, 6061 aluminum alloy is commonly used in window frames, door frames, railings, and curtain wall structures. Due to its excellent corrosion resistance and appropriate strength, 6061 alloy can be used in external building environments for long periods, ensuring structural safety while enhancing the building's appearance and durability. |
| Furniture and Appliance Components | 6061 aluminum alloy is widely used in furniture and appliance components. It is used to manufacture modern-style furniture frames, lighting supports, kitchen equipment, etc. Due to its lightweight, strength, and good machinability, it can be used to create complex designs, meeting aesthetic and functional requirements across industries. |
| Electronic Product Casings and Components | In the manufacture of electronic product casings and components, 6061 aluminum alloy is used in phone casings, laptop casings, TV frames, etc. Due to its good thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, 6061 alloy not only protects internal components but also helps achieve better heat dissipation, extending the service life of the device. |
| Pipes and Structural Components | In the field of pipes and structural components, 6061 aluminum alloy is widely used in industrial pipes, building structural frames, mechanical supports, etc. Its excellent weldability and machining performance make it perform well in environments requiring high strength and durability, especially in changing climates and harsh working conditions. |
7075 Aluminum Alloy Applications
| Application Area | Description |
| Aerospace and Aircraft Structures | In aerospace and aircraft structures, 7075 aluminum alloy is widely used in the manufacturing of aircraft fuselage, wing frames, door frames, landing gear, and other critical components. Due to its extremely high strength and fatigue resistance, 7075 alloy can withstand the tremendous pressure and stress encountered during aircraft flight, making it an ideal material for high-strength structural parts. |
| Missiles and Defense Equipment | Components in missiles and defense equipment also commonly use 7075 aluminum alloy. Due to its excellent strength and high-pressure resistance, 7075 provides strong protection in extreme environments, making it particularly suitable for manufacturing missile casings, launch devices, and other critical parts in military applications. |
| High-Performance Racing Parts | In the manufacturing of high-performance racing parts, 7075 aluminum alloy is widely used in race car frames, engine components, transmission systems, and suspension assemblies. Its extremely high strength and wear resistance help racing cars endure extreme pressures at high speeds and temperatures, while also reducing overall vehicle weight, improving performance and handling. |
| High-Stress Components, such as Aircraft Fuselage, Wings, Landing Gear Components, Military Equipment, etc. | High-stress components, such as aircraft fuselage, wings, landing gear components, and military equipment, typically require 7075 aluminum alloy to ensure durability and strength under high-load conditions. The high tensile strength and fatigue resistance of 7075 aluminum alloy enable it to function stably over long periods in these critical components, ensuring safety and performance. |