Aluminum 7005 · temper
Aluminum 7005-O
Properties of the O condition, compared with the other 7005 tempers.
Softest condition, chosen for severe bending/forming or deep drawing before a later solution treatment and age.
What is 7005-O?
7005-O is 7005 in the O temper — softest condition, chosen for severe bending/forming or deep drawing before a later solution treatment and age. 7005-O has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) — weaker than 89% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi). 7005-O has a density of 2.78 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 20%, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), better than 76% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 85 MPa (12.3 ksi), worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
7005-O properties
Typical room-temperature values for 7005-O — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 7005 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
7005-O has a density of 2.78 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of aluminum grades. It melts at 607°C (1,125 °F).
Mechanical13
7005-O has a yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) — weaker than 89% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
7005-O is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.8 µm/m·K (13.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
7005-O conducts electricity at 45 % IACS, better than 86% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 56% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 7005-O takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
7005-O's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability very good (80/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 7005 tempers and conditions
7005 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 7005 overview.
- T53Proprietary two-step age used on welded bicycle and sports frames — highest 7005 strength with improved SCC stability after welding.345 MPa yield · 105 HB
- T6Standard stocked condition: full precipitation strength for welded frames, structural extrusions and machined brackets.295 MPa yield · 94 HB
- T5Press-quenched and aged: cheapest route to near-T6 strength in thin-wall 7005 extrusions with less distortion.285 MPa yield · 90 HB
- OSoftest condition, chosen for severe bending/forming or deep drawing before a later solution treatment and age.85 MPa yield · 45 HB
Working with 7005-O
Is 7005 easy to machine?
Machines well in T5/T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed and generous coolant; chips are short compared with O temper but material gums if tools dull.
Can 7005 be welded?
Best-weldable 7xxx: GMAW/GTAW with 5356 or 5183 filler, no preheat, HAZ naturally re-ages to ~80 % of parent strength in ~30 days (faster with a 120 °C/24 h post-weld age).
Can 7005 be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes readily to thin-wall bicycle profiles; cold bending should be done in O or T4-like condition with generous radii, since T6 tube cracks at tight bends.
What surface finishes work on 7005?
Takes clear and hard sulfuric anodize well and is commonly powder-coated; weld beads anodize a different shade, so painted or shot-peened finishes are preferred on welded frames.
7005 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.35 | 0.1 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Cukept low for weldability | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Mg | 1 – 1.8 | 1.4 |
| Cr | 0.06 – 0.2 | 0.13 |
| Zn | 4 – 5 | 4.5 |
| Ti | 0.01 – 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Zrgrain-structure control | 0.08 – 0.2 | 0.14 |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
7005-O — frequently asked
What is 7005-O used for?
7005-O is typically used for bicycle frames and tubing, welded truss and space-frame structures, snowboard and ski cores, truck and trailer structural extrusions, sports equipment tubing and welded chassis and roll structures. In short: weldable mid-strength 7xxx.
What is the yield strength of 7005-O?
7005-O has a typical yield strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 195 MPa (28.3 ksi) — weaker than 89% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 7005-O easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T5/T6 with sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed and generous coolant; chips are short compared with O temper but material gums if tools dull.
Can 7005-O be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Best-weldable 7xxx: GMAW/GTAW with 5356 or 5183 filler, no preheat, HAZ naturally re-ages to ~80 % of parent strength in ~30 days (faster with a 120 °C/24 h post-weld age).
What surface finishes work on 7005-O?
Takes clear and hard sulfuric anodize well and is commonly powder-coated; weld beads anodize a different shade, so painted or shot-peened finishes are preferred on welded frames.
Can 7005-O be formed, bent or molded?
Extrudes readily to thin-wall bicycle profiles; cold bending should be done in O or T4-like condition with generous radii, since T6 tube cracks at tight bends.
What is the maximum service temperature of 7005-O?
7005-O is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 7005-O?
Yes — 7005-O is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 755-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Extruded rod/bar, tube and profiles — Mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Aluminum Standards and Data (mechanical property tables) — The Aluminum Association (2017)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.