7075 T651 Aluminum Plate

7075 T651 is one of the most popular high-strength aluminum alloys in the aerospace sector, combining lightweight, strength, and excellent machinability, making it an ideal material choice.

7075-T651 aluminum alloy undergoes solution heat treatment, stress relief, and artificial aging to ensure its mechanical properties and stability. The stress relief process involves applying a specific amount of stretching to the metal to reduce internal stress, enhancing the material's overall performance during subsequent processing.

What is 7075 T651 aluminum?

7075 T651 aluminum alloy is the material formed after processing 7075 aluminum into the T651 temper. To achieve this state, the alloy undergoes the following critical processes: solution heat treatment, stress relief, and artificial aging.

7075 T651 aluminum is a versatile, high-performance alloy whose outstanding mechanical properties make it suitable for demanding applications, particularly in aerospace and automotive industries. However, it requires careful handling and surface treatment to mitigate its susceptibility to corrosion.

What does T651 mean in aluminum?

7075-T651 aluminum is a specialized aluminum alloy primarily alloyed with zinc and chromium. The "T651" temper designation refers to a specific heat treatment process applied to the material. The "T6" indicates that the material has been solution heat-treated and artificially aged to enhance its properties, while the additional "51" signifies that the material underwent stretching after aging or cooling to relieve internal stresses. Due to its optimized alloy composition and precise heat treatment process, 7075 aluminum exhibits exceptionally high tensile strength, making it ideal for high-strength applications.

7075 T651 Aluminum Plate Properties

1. High Strength

The tensile strength of 7075-T651 aluminum typically ranges from 572 to 686 MPa, with a yield strength of approximately 503 MPa, making it one of the strongest heat-treatable aluminum alloys.

Its excellent strength-to-weight ratio is ideal for structures requiring reduced weight while withstanding high stress.

2. Moderate Corrosion Resistance

7075-T651 offers moderate corrosion resistance among high-strength aluminum alloys, with improved performance when anodized.

It withstands environmental corrosion better than some high-strength steels but requires protective measures in humid or marine environments.

3. Excellent Machinability

This material performs well in machining processes, making it suitable for manufacturing high-precision components.

It features a semi-smooth surface, making it suitable for finishing or coating.

4. Heat Treatability

The T651 temper of 7075 aluminum involves the following steps:

Solution heat treatment: Improves the internal microstructure of the material, enhancing its strength.

Stress relief: Reduces internal residual stress through slight stretching (typically 1.5%-3%) to ensure stability.

Artificial aging: Further enhances mechanical properties, achieving the ideal T651 state.

5. Wear Resistance and Toughness

Its high hardness and fatigue resistance make it suitable for structural applications subject to dynamic loads.

7075 T651 Aluminum Chemical Composition

7075 T651 Aluminum Mechanical Information

Applications of 7075 T651 Aluminum Plate

1. Aerospace

Used for manufacturing aircraft fuselages, wing frames, landing gear components, and other high-stress parts.

Its excellent strength-to-weight ratio makes it a critical material in commercial and military aircraft.

2. Shipbuilding

Commonly utilized in high-speed hulls and ship frameworks, offering lightweight structures and high strength while reducing fuel consumption.

3. Racing and Sports Equipment

Applied in manufacturing race car chassis, motorcycle components, mountain bike frames, and more, meeting the dual requirements of speed and durability.

4. Industrial and Commercial Parts

Used in mold making, pressure vessels, structural supports, and engineering machinery components, ensuring stability under high stress.

7075-T651 Aluminum Alloy: Performance, Characteristics, and Applications

7075-T651 is one of the most popular high-strength aluminum alloys in aerospace, combining lightweight, strength, and excellent machinability, making it an ideal material choice. Below is a detailed description of this material:

Advantages and Limitations of 7075-T651 Aluminum

Advantages of 7075-T651 Aluminum

Outstanding mechanical properties, especially high strength and hardness.

Excellent machinability, suitable for precision machining of complex shapes.

High fatigue resistance, ideal for long-term load-bearing conditions.

Limitations of 7075-T651 Aluminum

Relatively weaker corrosion resistance compared to other aluminum alloys.

Unsuitable for applications with prolonged exposure to seawater or high-humidity environments.

Higher cost, which corresponds to its superior performance.

What is the difference between 7075-T6 and 7075 T6511?

The primary difference between 7075-T6 and 7075-T6511 lies in their temper designations, which indicate specific treatment processes applied to the alloy, affecting their mechanical properties and applications.

1. Temper Designation

• 7075-T6:The material is solution heat-treated and then artificially aged to achieve its full strength.No additional stress relief is applied after heat treatment.
• 7075-T6511:The material undergoes the same solution heat treatment and artificial aging as T6.It also includes an additional stress-relief process via controlled stretching (1–3% for aluminum alloys), which reduces internal residual stresses.The "11" indicates that the alloy is extruded and receives specific shaping during manufacturing (e.g., bars or profiles).

2. Manufacturing Process

• 7075-T6:Can apply to various forms, including plates, sheets, extrusions, and forgings.Commonly used where internal stress relief is not a primary concern.
• 7075-T6511:Specifically applies to extrusions (e.g., bars, rods, profiles).The stress relief ensures dimensional stability in extruded products, making it ideal for machined components.

3. Mechanical Properties

Both tempers offer high strength, but there are slight differences due to stress relief:

• T6:May retain higher residual stresses, potentially causing distortion during machining.
• T6511:Lower residual stresses, reducing the risk of warping or deformation during machining.Very similar strength properties to T6.

4. Applications

• 7075-T6:Used in structural components where high strength and light weight are essential, such as in aerospace and automotive industries.Suitable for parts that require minimal machining.
• 7075-T6511:Ideal for machined components where stress-relief and dimensional stability are critical, such as aerospace fittings, precision tools, and mechanical assemblies.