7075 Aircraft Aluminum

During high-speed fighter jet maneuvers, spacecraft re-entry, and prolonged aircraft operation, materials face extreme challenges—overloads, thermal shocks, and long-term fatigue. These demands require materials that are lightweight, strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant.

7075 aerospace aluminum excels under such conditions. Strengthened mainly by zinc and treated with precipitation hardening (T6, T73), it achieves near-steel strength (up to 570 MPa) while being about 60% lighter. This makes it ideal for critical components like fighter jet fuselage frames, landing gear supports, and rocket booster casings. From F-22 and F-35 jets to SpaceX Falcon 9 and NASA spacecraft, 7075 is a key material in modern aerospace structures.

However, not all 7075 aluminum meets aviation-grade standards. Impurities in melting or inadequate NDT and fatigue testing can cause failure to pass certifications like NADCAP or AS9100, making such materials unsuitable for extreme conditions.

As a dedicated supplier, Chalco provides aerospace-grade 7075 products—plates, bars, tubes, profiles, and forgings—fully compliant with AMS, ASTM, and MIL standards. Backed by AS9100, ISO9001, and NADCAP certifications, Chalco ensures reliable quality that meets the high demands of aerospace strength, weight reduction, and fatigue resistance.

• View the Standard Requirements for Aerospace-Grade 7075Aluminum
• Learn More About Chalco's Aerospace Aluminum SupplyCapabilities

Why 7075 Has Become a Core Material in the Aerospace Industry?

Material selection in aerospace is extremely stringent—aircraft operate under high-speed flight, high-G overload,extreme temperature fluctuations, long-term fatigue stress, and harsh humidity and corrosion environments. Thesedemanding conditions place almost "harsh" requirements on structural materials.

7075 aluminum alloy, with zinc as its primary alloying element and small additions of magnesium and copper, achievesoutstanding strength and toughness through precipitation hardening treatments. The following four key properties arewhy it is so favored in the aerospace industry:

Not All 7075 Aluminum Can Be Used in Aerospace: Industrial-Grade vs. Aerospace-Grade 7075 Aluminum

While 7075 aluminum inherently offers high strength and lightweight characteristics, the key to its suitability forextreme environments lies in the level of melting purity, grain control, and non-destructive testing (NDT). Onlythose products that meet strict certifications like AMS, MIL, and AS9100, and achieve specific mechanicalbenchmarks, can truly be classified as aerospace-grade 7075 aluminum.

It is clear that industrial-grade 7075 aluminum only meets the needs of general structural applications, whileaerospace-grade 7075 aluminum—used in high-G force aircraft—must meet much stricter standards in material purity,mechanical performance, and testing protocols.

Standards & Certifications Required for Supplying Aerospace-Grade 7075 Aluminum

To meet the high reliability and safety standards of aerospace components, suppliers must pass a series of rigorousquality systems and inspection certifications. Chalco has currently obtained the following:

• ISO 9001 – Certification for Quality Management Systems (QMS)
• ISO 14001 – Certification for Environmental Management Systems
• AS9100 – Certification for Aerospace Quality Management Systems, applicable to the manufacturing of aircraft andspacecraft products
• NADCAP HT – NADCAP accreditation for Heat Treatment, ensuring the consistency and reliability of thermalprocesses
• NADCAP NDT – NADCAP certification for Non-Destructive Testing (such as ultrasonic and X-ray inspections)

These certifications are not just constraints on Chalco's production process—they also require that criticalprocesses such as internal defect detection, fatigue testing, and corrosion resistance verification be completedbefore materials leave the factory. This ensures that every batch of aerospace-grade 7075 aluminum can withstandenvironments with high strength and high fatigue load requirements.

To supply 7075 aluminum alloy products for aerospace use, it is also mandatory to comply with a range of aerospacealuminum standards. Below is a list of 7075 aluminum materials provided by Chalco that meet aviation-gradestandards:

In addition, Chalco has successfully passed material audits and certifications from major aerospace companiesincluding Airbus, SAFRAN, Boeing, and Klin Aviation, demonstrating a proven track record of stable and reliabledelivery capabilities in real-world projects.

Chalco's Supply Capabilities of Aerospace-Grade 7075 Aluminum

Chalco has accumulated extensive experience in the field of aerospace aluminum materials, with multipleinternationally advanced production lines and a rigorous quality control system. Our product portfolio fully coversthe following forms and specifications:

Rolled Products

Utilizing high-precision rolling technology, Chalco supplies both bare (Bare) and clad (Alclad) versions to meet therequirements of aircraft skin, fuselage structures, and high-strength components. Various tempers such as T6, T651,and T73 are available to accommodate different strength and corrosion resistance needs. Maximum width reaches 3800mm, supporting customized production of large-format aerospace materials.

Rods and Bars

Produced via extrusion, stretching, or forging, 7075 aluminum bars offer extremely high yield strength and fatigueresistance, making them ideal for wing spars, landing gear support structures, and engine components.

Tubes

Chalco offers extruded, cold drawn, and seamless 7075 aluminum tubes in a wide range of dimensions with precisiontolerance control up to ±0.02 mm. These are widely used in aerospace hydraulic systems, fuel lines, andhigh-strength structural supports.

Extrusions

Chalco supplies T-profiles, angles, U-channels, box profiles, and custom cross-sections. These are used in cockpitrails and aerospace structural frames, supporting complex shapes and tailored extrusion needs.

Forgings

Chalco has advanced forging capabilities to produce 7075 forged bars, tubes, rings, flanges, and blocks for landinggear, turbine supports, and airframe structures, ensuring strength, reliability, and formability.

We offer pre-stretching, solution heat treatment, and aging treatments in various tempers based on customerrequirements. Additional post-processing services such as cutting, sampling, and surface treatments are alsoavailable.

Want to know about lead times, minimum order quantities, or pricing? Feel free to contact us for a detaileddiscussion.

Why Choose Chalco for Aerospace-Grade 7075 Aluminum?

• Full Product Range – From 7075 aluminum sheets, plates, bars, tubes, extrusions, to forgings, Chalco offers aone-stop solution to meet all your aerospace aluminum needs, saving both time and effort.
• Strict Quality Control – Fully AS9100, ISO9001, and NADCAP certified. Each batch undergoes ultrasonic and X-raynon-destructive testing to ensure internal soundness and structural integrity.
• Fast Delivery Capability – Common specifications of sheet, plate, bar, and tube are available in stock. Customorders can be scheduled for rapid production, with lead times as short as a few weeks.
• Expert Technical Support – We offer guidance on alloy selection, machining optimization, and surface treatment,and assist with sample preparation, fatigue testing, and third-party certification when needed.
• Trusted by Top Aerospace Companies – We have hands-on supply experience with leading clients such as CollinsAerospace, HS Marston Aerospace, Alinabal, Inc., and Batam Aero Technic, delivering proven value in real-worldprojects.

Backed by years of expertise in aerospace materials, Chalco provides alloy selection and heat treatment adviceduring the early stages of your project, ensures on-time delivery and quality throughout production, and supportsyou with validation and maintenance in the later phases. Our end-to-end solution gives you peace of mind from startto finish.

Specific Applications of 7075 Aluminum Alloy in Aerospace

Thanks to its high strength, lightweight nature, and excellent fatigue resistance, 7075 aluminum alloy is widelyused in critical structural components of aircraft such as wings, fuselages, landing gear, engines, cabins, andpropellers. Each section of an aircraft has different material requirements, making the correct selection of 7075aluminum forms—such as sheets, bars, tubes, or forgings—crucial.

Wing Structure

The wing is the primary load-bearing structure of an aircraft, subjected to aerodynamic loads, gravity, and lift.7075 aluminum is a top choice for main wing structures due to its exceptional strength and fatigue resistance.

• Spar – Recommended: 7075-T6/T651 forged orextruded bar with tensile strength up to 570 MPa. Withstands high-frequency vibration and repeatedbending, extending service life.
• Skin – Use 7075 Alclad Sheet forsuperior corrosion resistance in high-altitude, low-temperature, and humid conditions. Common thickness: 0.8–3.0mm; customizable per aircraft model.
• Ribs – Typically machined from 7075-T651 aluminum plate via CNC. Easy to shape with tight tolerance control (±0.02 mm),maintaining airfoil stability and distributing aerodynamic loads.

Fuselage

As the central load-bearing structure connecting wings, tail, and landing gear, the fuselage demands high structuralstrength, impact resistance, and fatigue life. 7075 aluminum is widely used in its framework and skin supports dueto its strength-to-weight ratio.

• Keel Beam – Main fuselage load beam. Uses 7075-T6 forgings for superior strength and stiffness.
• Bulkheads & Stringers – Made from 7075 extruded profiles (T6 temper), capable of withstanding hundreds ofthousands of load cycles without fatigue cracking. Excellent impact toughness absorbs shocks during flight andlanding.
• Skin Supports – Prefer 7075-T7351 aluminum plate to enhance stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance. Idealfor skin-contact zones in corrosive environments (e.g., salt spray, humidity).

Landing Gear

Landing gear absorbs heavy impact forces during takeoff and landing. It requires ultra-high strength, toughness, andfatigue resistance. 7075 aluminum alloy is a preferred material for supporting and connecting elements.

• Landing Gear Struts – Commonly use 7075-T6511 extruded bars with yield strength over 500 MPa. Excellent shockresistance improves landing gear life cycle.
• Bearing Housings – Made from 7075-T7652 forgings, providing long fatigue life under high stress and vibration.T76 tempers offer a balance of strength and corrosion resistance, reducing maintenance needs.

Engine Components

Aircraft engines operate under high temperatures, vibration, and rotational forces. Materials must have excellentstrength, fatigue resistance, and thermal stability. 7075 aluminum is commonly used in non-critical engine supportparts.

• Engine Mounts – Manufactured from 7075-T6 extruded profiles, strong enough to absorb vibration fromfast-spinning engines while reducing overall weight. Easy to CNC-machine into complex shapes.
• Turbine Housing Supports – Recommend 7075-T7351 plates to improve corrosion resistance under stress. Excellentdimensional stability in high-heat environments, suitable for precision engine components.

Aircraft Cabin & Interior

Aircraft cabin structures need to be lightweight, durable, and dimensionally stable. 7075 aluminum alloy offers highstrength and machinability, making it suitable for interior components.

• Seat Tracks – Made from 7075-T6 extruded profiles to reduce equipment weight while maintaining impact toughness.Meets safety standards and emergency detachment tests.
• Instrument Panel Frame – Uses 7075-T7351 plates, which resist corrosion in humid or fluid-exposed environments.High rigidity keeps instruments stable despite vibration.

Propeller & Avionics

Propeller hubs and avionics mounts require strength, vibration resistance, and shock durability. The high stiffnessand lightweight of 7075 aluminum make it ideal for these applications.

• Propeller Hubs – Commonly use 7075-T6 extruded bars, offering high stiffness and shock resistance. Withstandcentrifugal force during high-speed rotation and maintain structure during pitch changes.
• Avionics Mounts – Recommended: 7075-T73 aluminum plate for long-term vibration environments. Resists stresscorrosion cracking, balances weight savings with structural reliability, and suits avionics and sensor mounting.

Overview of 7075 Aluminum Applications in Aircraft Systems

By utilizing 7075 aluminum alloy in targeted applications across various aircraft components, manufacturers canachieve a better balance between weight reduction, durability, and safety. Depending on specific load conditions andservice environments, choosing the right product form (sheet, bar, tube, extrusion, or forging) and the appropriatetemper (T6, T651, T73, T76, etc.) can help aircraft attain:

• Higher fuel efficiency
• Longer service life
• More reliable and safer flight performance

Now that we've outlined the performance requirements for 7075 aluminum in different aircraft sections, how does thisalloy perform in real-world top-tier aerospace engineering projects? The following case studies provide the answer.

Real-World Applications of Aerospace-Grade 7075 Aluminum in Leading Aviation Projects

F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter

The aircraft’s primary load-bearing fuselage frame utilizes 7075-T651 aluminum, certified to MIL-DTL-32262A. With atensile strength ≥ 570 MPa, it achieves 15% weight reduction compared to titanium alternatives. A hard anodizedsurface treatment enhances stealth performance by reducing radar signature.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket – LOX Tank Support Truss

The liquid oxygen tank’s structural trusses are made from 7075-T7351, offering 450 MPa yield strength at -183°C.This configuration passed NASA SPC-100 pressure cycling tests and reduced weight by 20% compared to 6061 aluminum.

NASA Space Shuttle Orbiter – Cargo Bay Hinges

Constructed with 7075-T73, these hinges withstood 5,000-hour salt spray testing without corrosion. Though 10% lowerin strength than T6, the material significantly improved stress corrosion resistance, extending the shuttle’sorbital service life.

Boeing 787 Wing Leading Edge – Bird Strike Reinforcement

Reinforcement ribs made from 7075-T76 passed FAA regulation §25.571: survived 1.8 kg bird impact at 900 km/h with<3 mm deformation (at specific angles). The ribs also assist in lightning strike protection for composite structures.

Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" Fighter

The world’s first mass-produced aircraft to use 7075 aluminum (then called "Extra Super Duralumin") extensively. Itsfuselage skin was only 0.8 mm thick, contributing to a takeoff weight of just 1.68 tons. However, the lack ofcorrosion protection led to high failure rates under tropical combat conditions.

These cases clearly demonstrate that 7075 aluminum alloy has been thoroughly validated in top-tier aerospaceprograms such as the F-22, Falcon 9, NASA space shuttle, and Boeing 787, proving its value in delivering highstrength, lightweight performance, and durability under extreme conditions.

Chalco is more than just a supplier—we offer aerospace-grade 7075 aluminum that complies with AMS, ASTM, and MILstandards, backed by AS9100, ISO9001, and NADCAP certifications. We maintain long-term partnerships withworld-renowned aerospace companies, delivering reliable, high-quality, and customized aluminum solutions to globalmanufacturers.

Contact Us for a Custom 7075 Aluminum Solution

Chalco not only delivers top-quality aerospace aluminum, but also provides tailored solutions including materialselection, heat treatment, and component processing. We assist you through all phases—from R&D to certificationcompliance. Have questions or a project in mind? Get in touch today.