7075-T6 Aluminum vs. 7075-T6511 Aluminum

7075-T6 aluminum and 7075-T6511 aluminum are two common tempers of 7075 aluminum alloy. The main difference between them lies in the heat treatment process, stress relief, and the stretching process applied to the metal during manufacturing.

7075-T6 aluminum is suitable for extremely high-strength applications, while 7075-T6511 aluminum is more suited for parts that work under repeated loads or in fatigue environments, particularly for structures that require better stress relief and higher fatigue performance.

Comparison Summary of 7075-T6 Aluminum and 7075-T6511 Aluminum

7075-T6 Aluminum vs. 7075-T6511 Aluminum Mechanical Properties

7075-T6 Aluminum vs. 7075-T6511 Aluminum Heat Treatment Process

7075-T6 Aluminum Heat Treatment Process

The 7075-T6 alloy undergoes solution heat treatment followed by artificial aging. The solution heat treatment involves heating the alloy to a specific temperature (about 475-495°C) and then rapidly cooling it to dissolve the solutes into the solid matrix. Afterward, artificial aging is applied (typically at temperatures between 120-150°C) to achieve maximum stability of the precipitates in the alloy, thus enhancing its mechanical properties.

7075-T6511 Aluminum Heat Treatment Process

In addition to solution heat treatment and artificial aging, 7075-T6511 also undergoes a stress relief step. Stress relief is carried out by stretching the metal at a specific temperature, typically through mechanical stretching, to release internal stresses within the metal. After stress relief, the metal is straightened to prevent deformation due to stress induced during the manufacturing process. 7075-T6511 aluminum is typically used for forged and extruded parts, especially in applications involving larger components.

7075-T6 Aluminum and 7075-T6511 Aluminum Strength Comparison

7075-T6 Aluminum Strength

As the most commonly used temper of 7075 aluminum, T6 has extremely high strength and is one of the strongest of all aluminum alloys. It is commonly used in aerospace, military, and engineering applications that require high strength. 7075-T6 provides good tensile strength, fatigue strength, and shear strength, but it has relatively low ductility.

7075-T6511 Aluminum Strength

7075-T6511 aluminum has slightly lower strength than 7075-T6, especially in tensile strength, shear strength, and fatigue strength, although fatigue performance is typically slightly better. However, its elongation at fracture (ductility) is lower, meaning it may not be as durable as T6 aluminum in cases of stress concentration or brittle fracture. Due to the added stress relief process, 7075-T6511 aluminum performs better in high-strength and high-fatigue applications, but its ductility is still poor.

7075-T6 Aluminum and 7075-T6511 Aluminum Applications

7075-T6 Aluminum Applications

7075-T6 aluminum is widely used in applications that require extremely high strength and corrosion resistance, such as aircraft fuselage structures, aerospace components, military equipment, and high-strength mechanical structures. Its high strength makes it suitable for applications that endure dynamic loads or large loads.

7075-T6511 Aluminum Applications

7075-T6511 aluminum is commonly used in manufacturing fields that require high strength and higher fatigue strength, especially for parts that undergo cyclical loads or work in fatigue environments. It is often used in large forged parts, structural components, aircraft landing gear, and aerospace engine components, particularly in parts subjected to repeated stress.

7075-T6 Aluminum vs. 7075-T6511 Aluminum Manufacturing Process Differences

7075-T6 Aluminum Manufacturing Process

7075-T6 aluminum does not require a stress relief step, making its production process relatively simple. It is suitable for use when strength is the primary consideration.

7075-T6511 Aluminum Manufacturing Process

7075-T6511 aluminum requires stress relief to release internal stresses generated during the manufacturing process. This step makes it perform better in large structural components, especially those that are extruded or forged. After the stretching operation, the metal surface is straightened, further enhancing its stability in high-load applications.