7075 Aircraft Aluminum

During high-speed maneuvers of fighter jets, the intense overloads, the extreme thermal shock when spacecraft re-enter the atmosphere, and the long-term fatigue stress on aircraft structures all place extremely demanding requirements on materials: they must be both lightweight and strong, with exceptional durability and corrosion resistance.

7075 aerospace aluminum alloy stands out in this context. This aluminum alloy, strengthened primarily by zinc (Zn) as the main alloying element, undergoes precipitation hardening treatments such as T6 and T73, enabling it to reach strength levels close to steel (with tensile strength up to 570 MPa) while being approximately 60% lighter in density. As a result, it is widely used in critical components such as fighter jet fuselage frames, landing gear supports, and rocket booster casings. From F-22 and F-35 fighter jets to SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets and NASA spacecraft, 7075 has become a foundational material in many core aerospace structures today.

However, not all 7075 aluminum products on the market can meet the demanding conditions required for aircraft. If there are any shortcomings in melting purity, non-destructive testing, or fatigue testing, the materials will fail to pass strict certifications such as NADCAP and AS9100, making them unreliable under extreme loads and corrosive environments.

As a specialized aluminum supplier, Chalco is committed to delivering aerospace-grade 7075 products (including plates, bars, tubes, profiles, and forgings) that comply with AMS, ASTM, and MIL standards. With authoritative certifications including AS9100, ISO9001, and NADCAP, Chalco ensures consistent material quality that fully meets the strict requirements for high strength, lightweight performance, and fatigue resistance in aerospace applications.

• View the Standard Requirements for Aerospace-Grade 7075 Aluminum
• Learn More About Chalco’s Aerospace Aluminum Supply Capabilities

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. These demanding 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, achieves outstanding strength and toughness through precipitation hardening treatments. The following four key properties are why 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 for extreme environments lies in the level of melting purity, grain control, and non-destructive testing (NDT). Only those products that meet strict certifications like AMS, MIL, and AS9100, and achieve specific mechanical benchmarks, 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, while aerospace-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 rigorous quality 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 and spacecraft products
• NADCAP HT – NADCAP accreditation for Heat Treatment, ensuring the consistency and reliability of thermal processes
• 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 critical processes such as internal defect detection, fatigue testing, and corrosion resistance verification be completed before materials leave the factory. This ensures that every batch of aerospace-grade 7075 aluminum can withstand environments 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 aerospace aluminum standards. Below is a list of 7075 aluminum materials provided by Chalco that meet aviation-grade standards:

In addition, Chalco has successfully passed material audits and certifications from major aerospace companies including Airbus, SAFRAN, Boeing, and Klin Aviation, demonstrating a proven track record of stable and reliable delivery 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 multiple internationally advanced production lines and a rigorous quality control system. Our product portfolio fully covers the following forms and specifications:

Rolled Products

Utilizing high-precision rolling technology, Chalco supplies both bare (Bare) and clad (Alclad) versions to meet the requirements 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 3800 mm, 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 fatigue resistance, 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 precision tolerance control up to ±0.02 mm. These are widely used in aerospace hydraulic systems, fuel lines, and high-strength structural supports.

Extrusions

Chalco supplies T-profiles, angles, U-channels, box profiles, and custom cross-sections. These are used in cockpit rails 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 landing gear, 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 customer requirements. Additional post-processing services such as cutting, sampling, and surface treatments are also available.

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

Now, let’s explore Chalco’s core competitive advantages in the aerospace aluminum sector.

Why Choose Chalco for Aerospace-Grade 7075 Aluminum?

• Full Product Range – From 7075 aluminum sheets, plates, bars, tubes, extrusions, to forgings, Chalco offers a one-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-ray non-destructive testing to ensure internal soundness and structural integrity.
• Fast Delivery Capability – Common specifications of sheet, plate, bar, and tube are available in stock. Custom orders 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 Collins Aerospace, HS Marston Aerospace, Alinabal, Inc., and Batam Aero Technic, delivering proven value in real-world projects.

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

Specific Applications of 7075 Aluminum Alloy in Aerospace

Thanks to its high strength, lightweight nature, and excellent fatigue resistance, 7075 aluminum alloy is widely used in critical structural components of aircraft such as wings, fuselages, landing gear, engines, cabins, and propellers. Each section of an aircraft has different material requirements, making the correct selection of 7075 aluminum 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 or extruded bar with tensile strength up to 570 MPa. Withstands high-frequency vibration and repeated bending, extending service life.
• Skin – Use 7075 Alclad Sheet for superior corrosion resistance in high-altitude, low-temperature, and humid conditions. Common thickness: 0.8–3.0 mm; 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 structural strength, impact resistance, and fatigue life. 7075 aluminum is widely used in its framework and skin supports due to 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 of thousands of load cycles without fatigue cracking. Excellent impact toughness absorbs shocks during flight and landing.
• Skin Supports – Prefer 7075-T7351 aluminum plate to enhance stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance. Ideal for 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, and fatigue 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 shock resistance 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 excellent strength, fatigue resistance, and thermal stability. 7075 aluminum is commonly used in non-critical engine support parts.

• Engine Mounts – Manufactured from 7075-T6 extruded profiles, strong enough to absorb vibration from fast-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. Excellent dimensional 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 high strength 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 stiffness and lightweight of 7075 aluminum make it ideal for these applications.

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

Overview: Applications of 7075 Aluminum Across Aircraft Systems

By utilizing 7075 aluminum alloy in targeted applications across various aircraft components, manufacturers can achieve a better balance between weight reduction, durability, and safety. Depending on specific load conditions and service environments, choosing the right product form (sheet, bar, tube, extrusion, or forging) and the appropriate temper (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 this alloy 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 a tensile strength ≥ 570 MPa, it achieves 15% weight reduction compared to titanium alternatives. A hard anodized surface 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% lower in strength than T6, the material significantly improved stress corrosion resistance, extending the shuttle’s orbital 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. Its fuselage skin was only 0.8 mm thick, contributing to a takeoff weight of just 1.68 tons. However, the lack of corrosion 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 aerospace programs such as the F-22, Falcon 9, NASA space shuttle, and Boeing 787, proving its value in delivering high strength, 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 MIL standards, backed by AS9100, ISO9001, and NADCAP certifications. We maintain long-term partnerships with world-renowned aerospace companies, delivering reliable, high-quality, and customized aluminum solutions to global manufacturers.

Contact Us for a Custom 7075 Aluminum Solution

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