Aluminum 7012
AA 7012 · EN AW-7012, AW 7012
7012 (EN AW-7012) is a zirconium-bearing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu heat-treatable alloy supplied mainly as extrusions and thick plate.
7012 tempers and conditions
7012 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution heat treated and naturally aged | Intermediate condition used when some forming or straightening is needed before final artificial ageing. | 300 | 440 | 15 | 125 HB | 29 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged for stress-corrosion resistance | Pick for humid, marine or sustained-tension service where stress-corrosion cracking must be eliminated, accepting ~12 % lower strength. | 420 | 480 | 11 | 140 HB | 39 % IACS |
Overaged for exfoliation-corrosion resistance | Compromise temper: most of the T6 strength with much better exfoliation/SCC behaviour for thin plate and profiles. | 455 | 510 | 10 | 150 HB | 37 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Choose for thick plate that will be heavily machined — stretch stress-relief minimises distortion of mould and jig plates. | 495 | 540 | 9 | 158 HB | 32 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening | Standard low-residual-stress temper for 7012 extruded bar and profiles destined for precision machining. | 505 | 545 | 9 | 160 HB | 32 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard stock condition — maximum strength for structural extrusions, plate and machined parts in dry/protected service. | 510 | 550 | 9 | 160 HB | 32 % IACS |
What is 7012?
7012 (EN AW-7012) is a zirconium-bearing Al-Zn-Mg-Cu heat-treatable alloy supplied mainly as extrusions and thick plate. Its strength level approaches 7075, while the Zr-refined fine-grain structure gives better hardenability and extrudability, so it is used for high specific-strength structural parts, mould plate and sporting goods. Fusion weldability is poor (welds crack readily) and T6 material is sensitive to stress-corrosion cracking, so overaged T73/T76 tempers are specified for exposed service. 7075 is the nearest alternative where extrudability matters less. 7012 has a density of 2.81 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of aluminum grades. It melts at 480°C (896 °F). 7012 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is 7012 used for?
- Aerospace forgings
- Helicopter rotor parts
- High-strength structural extrusions
- Mould and tooling plate
- Machined structural fittings from thick plate
- Sporting goods frames
Advantages
- High strength — 510 MPa (74 ksi), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 85% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 22/100, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
7012 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
7012 has a density of 2.81 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of aluminum grades. It melts at 480°C (896 °F).
Mechanical13
7012 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
7012 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 135 W/m·K (78 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 58% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
7012 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 85% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 7012 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
7012's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (22/100); formability poor (22/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 7012 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 7012
Is 7012 easy to machine?
Machines very freely in T6/T651 with sharp polished PCD or uncoated carbide, high speed and generous coolant; chips are short and finishes excellent.
Can 7012 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking, large HAZ strength loss) — join by bolting, bonding or friction-stir welding with post-weld ageing.
Can 7012 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in F/T4 only; T6 material has low ductility and bend radii must be generous — cold bending of aged plate risks cracking.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 7012. Every 7012 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent72 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | N.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 350 / 420 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.5 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 8× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 0.8 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Not Recommend22 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Not Recommend22 / 100 |
7012 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.15 | 0.06 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.25 | 0.12 |
| Cu | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Mg | 1.8 – 2.2 | 2 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Znprincipal hardening addition | 5.8 – 6.5 | 6.1 |
| Zrgrain-structure control (dispersoids) | 0.08 – 0.2 | 0.14 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Other, each | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Other, total | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 7012?
Takes clear and hard anodizing well (slightly grey tone), chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coatings and primers; avoid direct contact with steel/CFRP without insulation.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Conversion Coating
PVD Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 7012 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Aluminum Association
- AA7012
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-7012AW 7012
How much does 7012 cost?
7012 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
7012 — frequently asked
What is 7012 used for?
7012 is typically used for aerospace forgings, helicopter rotor parts, high-strength structural extrusions, mould and tooling plate, machined structural fittings from thick plate and sporting goods frames. In short: european aero forging alloy.
What is the yield strength of 7012?
7012 has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 7012 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades). Machines very freely in T6/T651 with sharp polished PCD or uncoated carbide, high speed and generous coolant; chips are short and finishes excellent.
Can 7012 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (22/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking, large HAZ strength loss) — join by bolting, bonding or friction-stir welding with post-weld ageing.
What surface finishes work on 7012?
Takes clear and hard anodizing well (slightly grey tone), chromate/Ti-Zr conversion coatings and primers; avoid direct contact with steel/CFRP without insulation.
Can 7012 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in F/T4 only; T6 material has low ductility and bend radii must be generous — cold bending of aged plate risks cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of 7012?
7012 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 7012 cost?
7012 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 7012?
Yes — 7012 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. 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 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- EN 755-2 Aluminium alloy 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 (aluminium alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- High-strength 7000-series extrusion and plate alloy datasheets (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu-Zr) — Constellium / Alcoa (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.