6061 7075 metal alloy aluminium plate

10/22 2025

Aluminium plates fabricated from the 6061 and 7075 alloys are among the most popular and widely used aerospace, automotive, and structural metals today. These aluminum alloy plates provide a remarkable combination of strength, machinability, corrosion resistance, and versatility suitable for a wide range of demanding applications.

Alloy Type	6061 Aluminum Plate	7075 Aluminum Plate
Series	6xxx (Al-Mg-Si alloy)	7xxx (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy)
Temper	T6 (solution heat-treated and artificially aged)	T6 (solution heat-treated and artificially aged)
Common Forms	Sheet, plate, extrusions	Sheet, plate, forgings
Traits	Good strength, excellent corrosion resistance, good machinability	Excellent strength, slightly inferior corrosion resistance

Chemical Composition

The typical chemical composition (in wt%) of 6061 and 7075 aluminum alloys is listed below. Variations can occur based on source specifications.

Element	6061 (wt%)	7075 (wt%)
Aluminum (Al)	Balance	Balance
Magnesium (Mg)	0.8 – 1.2	2.1 – 2.9
Silicon (Si)	0.4 – 0.8	0.4 – 0.8
Copper (Cu)	0.15 – 0.4	1.2 – 2.0
Zinc (Zn)	0.25 max	5.1 – 6.1
Chromium (Cr)	0.04 – 0.35	0.18 – 0.28
Iron (Fe)	0.7 max	0.5 max
Manganese (Mn)	0.15 max	0.3 max
Titanium (Ti)	0.15 max	0.2 max

Physical and Mechanical Properties at Room Temperature (T6 Temper)

Property	6061-T6 Aluminum Plate	7075-T6 Aluminum Plate
Density (g/cm³)	2.70	2.81
Tensile Strength (MPa)	290 – 320	520 – 560
Yield Strength (MPa)	240 – 280	480 – 525
Elongation at Break (%)	10 – 17	5 – 11
Modulus of Elasticity (GPa)	68.9	71.7
Hardness (BHN)	95 – 107	150 – 190
Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K)	~167	~130
Electrical Resistivity (μΩ·cm)	~40	~45
Melting Point (°C)	582 – 652	477 – 635

Features

6061 Aluminium Plate

Moderate to High Strength: Offers a balanced tensile strength and toughness for structural applications.
Excellent Corrosion Resistance: Exceptional resistance to atmospheric corrosion, ideal for marine and chemical exposure.
Good Weldability: Easily weldable using conventional techniques such as TIG and MIG welding.
Good Machinability: Machines well with high-quality surface finish.
Versatility: Can be anodized for improved surface hardness and appearance.

7075 Aluminium Plate

Highest Strength Aluminum Alloy Plate: Comparable strength to many steels, making it suitable for critical load-bearing applications.
Good Fatigue Resistance: Maintains strength under cyclic loading.
Heat Treatability: Frequently solution heat-treated for optimum mechanical advantage.
Moderate Corrosion Resistance: Although less corrosion-resistant than 6061, it performs well with surface treatments like anodizing or cladding.
Good Bearing Strength: Applicable where surface loading needs to be withstood, such as gears and bearings.

Typical Applications

Industry	6061 Plate Applications	7075 Plate Applications
Aerospace	Lightweight aircraft components, fuselage frames, brackets	Structural aircraft parts, high strength gears, machinery parts
Automotive	Chassis components, engine parts, overturned “hood” panels	High-performance automotive components, racing parts
Marine	Boat hulls, decks, marine fittings	Cargo vessels requiring reinforced components
Construction	Structural profiles, scaffolding, architectural elements	Structural frames requiring very high load-bearing capabilities
Electronics	Enclosures, heat sinks	Electronic housings requiring stiffness and rigidity
Sports Equipment	Bicycle frames, frames for other recreational vehicles	High-stress sports components such as racing bicycles, firearms

Processing Recommendations

Forming: Both alloys can be formed using cold stamping or bending, though 7075 may require heating due to its strength.
Machining: Use carbide tools for 7075 aluminum alloy due to its high strength, while standard tools suffice for 6061.
Welding: For critical applications requiring welding, 6061 is preferable; for 7075, welding must be carefully controlled as it weakens after heat exposure.
Surface Treatment: Anodizing is recommended for both alloys to improve corrosion resistance and surface hardness.

6061 7075

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