Aluminum 7022-T6
Temper
AA 7022 · EN AlZn5Mg3Cu, 3.4345
T6 = solution heat treated and artificially aged
Standard peak-aged condition for extrusions, bar and forgings when maximum static strength is required and residual stress is not critical.
Values for the T6 condition
Other 7022 tempers and conditions
7022 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 7022.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum formability or as an intermediate condition before solution treatment; strength is low and must be restored by T6 ageing. | 120 | 240 | 15 | 68 HB | 39 % IACS |
T6This page Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Standard peak-aged condition for extrusions, bar and forgings when maximum static strength is required and residual stress is not critical. | 460 | 520 | 8 | 148 HB | 32 % IACS |
Solution treated, stress-relieved by stretching, aged; no further… | Choose for extrusions and drawn bar that will be CNC-machined asymmetrically — stretched stress relief with no post-straightening keeps distortion minimal. | 465 | 520 | 8 | 149 HB | 32 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening | Same as T6510 but with a small straightening allowance, so it is the usual supply condition for long extruded profiles and rod with tight straightness limits. | 465 | 520 | 8 | 149 HB | 32 % IACS |
T651Default T6, stress relieved by stretching | Default stocked condition for thick plate and tooling/mould plate — peak strength with low residual stress so heavily machined parts stay flat. | 470 | 530 | 8 | 150 HB | 32 % IACS |
What is 7022-T6?
7022-T6 is 7022 in the T6 temper — standard peak-aged condition for extrusions, bar and forgings when maximum static strength is required and residual stress is not critical. 7022-T6 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 7022-T6 has a density of 2.78 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of aluminum grades. It melts at 475°C (887 °F). T651 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; T6 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 460 MPa (66.7 ksi), better than 92% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 72/100, better than 89% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
7022-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 7022-T6; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 7022 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
7022-T6 has a density of 2.78 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of aluminum grades. It melts at 475°C (887 °F).
Mechanical15
7022-T6 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 92% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
7022-T6 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 145 W/m·K (83.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
7022-T6 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 7022-T6 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
7022-T6's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 7022-T6
Is 7022 easy to machine?
Machines very freely in T6/T651 with sharp polished-flute carbide, high speed and copious coolant; chips are short and surfaces take a fine finish.
Can 7022 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding because of the Cu content (hot cracking and severe HAZ loss); use mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding or friction stir where qualified.
Can 7022 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the O or freshly solution-treated condition — T6/T651 material has low ductility and generous bend radii are mandatory; hot forge above ~400 °C.
What surface finishes work on 7022?
Responds well to hard and sulphuric anodising (slightly grey tone), chromate/chrome-free conversion coating and paint; polish before anodising for mould surfaces.
7022 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 | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Cu | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mg | 2.6 – 3.7 | 3.1 |
| Cr | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Zn | 4.3 – 5.2 | 4.8 |
| TiTi (+Zr where specified) limited as grain-refiner residual | ≤ 0.2 | 0.03 |
| Others (each)0.15 % total | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
7022-T6 — frequently asked
What is 7022-T6 used for?
7022-T6 is typically used for structural forgings, military vehicle components and high-strength extrusions. In short: stronger than 7020; forging and extrusion grade; not arc weldable.
What is the yield strength of 7022-T6?
7022-T6 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 92% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 7022-T6 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-flute carbide, high speed and copious coolant; chips are short and surfaces take a fine finish.
Can 7022-T6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended for fusion welding because of the Cu content (hot cracking and severe HAZ loss); use mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding or friction stir where qualified.
What surface finishes work on 7022-T6?
Responds well to hard and sulphuric anodising (slightly grey tone), chromate/chrome-free conversion coating and paint; polish before anodising for mould surfaces.
Can 7022-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the O or freshly solution-treated condition — T6/T651 material has low ductility and generous bend radii are mandatory; hot forge above ~400 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 7022-T6?
7022-T6 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.
What is the difference between 7022-T651 and 7022-O?
T651 is the default condition — default stocked condition for thick plate and tooling/mould plate — peak strength with low residual stress so heavily machined parts stay flat. O: pick for maximum formability or as an intermediate condition before solution treatment; strength is low and must be restored by T6 ageing. Yield strength is 470 MPa in T651 versus 120 MPa in O.
Sources
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- EN 485-2 Aluminium sheet, strip and plate — mechanical properties — CEN (2018)
- EN 755-2 Aluminium 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)
- High-strength AlZnMgCu (7022-type) mould plate datasheets — European aluminium plate producers (2022)
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.