Aluminum 7049
AA 7049 · UNS A97049 · EN AW-7049, AW 7049
7049 (A97049) is a heat-treatable Al-Zn-Mg-Cu forging alloy with strength close to 7075/7175, but normally supplied only in overaged T73/T74-type tempers (T73, T7351, T7352, T76, T7452) to obtain high resistance to stress-corrosion cracking and exfoliation.
7049 tempers and conditions
7049 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T73, stress relieved by stretching | Plate temper for machined structural parts where low residual stress and dimensional stability after heavy metal removal are required. | 455 | 525 | 11 | 130 HB | 40 % IACS |
Overaged, stress-relieved by compression | Hand and die forgings that will be extensively machined; compression stress relief minimises distortion. | 460 | 530 | 10 | 132 HB | 40 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and overaged for stress-corrosion resistance | Standard condition for 7049 die forgings and bar: ~10 % below peak strength but very high resistance to stress-corrosion cracking. | 475 | 545 | 11 | 135 HB | 40 % IACS |
T74-type overage, stress-relieved by compression | Preferred temper for thick 7049 landing-gear forgings: strength between T76 and T73 with near-T73 SCC resistance and good short-transverse properties. | 485 | 550 | 10 | 137 HB | 39 % IACS |
Overaged for exfoliation-corrosion resistance | Intermediate overage: higher strength than T73 with good exfoliation-corrosion resistance but less SCC margin. | 505 | 565 | 10 | 140 HB | 38 % IACS |
What is 7049?
7049 (A97049) is a heat-treatable Al-Zn-Mg-Cu forging alloy with strength close to 7075/7175, but normally supplied only in overaged T73/T74-type tempers (T73, T7351, T7352, T76, T7452) to obtain high resistance to stress-corrosion cracking and exfoliation. Engineers use it for thick-section die and hand forgings and thick plate in aircraft landing gear parts, fittings and support arms. Fusion weldability is essentially nil, quench response is section-sensitive in heavy cross-sections, cost is high and cold formability is limited; 7050-T7451 plate is the usual alternative. 7049 has a density of 2.84 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of aluminum grades. It melts at 477°C (891 °F). 7049 has a yield strength of 475 MPa (68.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) — stronger than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 71.7 GPa (10.4 Msi).
What is 7049 used for?
- Aircraft landing gear forgings
- Airframe fittings and lugs
- Support arms and links
- Thick-section closed-die forgings
- Hand (open-die) forgings
- Thick plate for machined structural parts
- Actuator and cylinder housings
Advantages
- High strength — 475 MPa (68.9 ksi), better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 33 MPa·√m (30 ksi·√in), better than 87% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 96% of aluminum grades
7049 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
7049 has a density of 2.84 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³), heavier than 93% of aluminum grades. It melts at 477°C (891 °F).
Mechanical14
7049 has a yield strength of 475 MPa (68.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) — stronger than 94% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 71.7 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
7049 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 154 W/m·K (89 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 68% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
7049 conducts electricity at 40 % IACS, better than 72% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (46/100), worse than 59% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 7049 takes about 215 MJ of energy and emits 13.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability8
7049's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (15/100); 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. 7049 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 7049
Is 7049 easy to machine?
Machines well in the overaged tempers with sharp carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; chips are tough so use polished flutes and generous rake to avoid built-up edge.
Can 7049 be welded?
Not weldable by fusion processes (hot cracking and loss of SCC resistance); join by fasteners, adhesive bonding or friction stir with qualified procedures.
Can 7049 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot-work / forge at about 350–440 °C; cold forming in T73-type tempers is very limited — form in the solution-treated (W) state or before ageing.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 7049. Every 7049 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 Recommend15 / 100 |
7049 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Zn | 7.2 – 8.2 | 7.7 |
| Mg | 2 – 2.9 | 2.45 |
| Cu | 1.2 – 1.9 | 1.55 |
| Crgrain-boundary/quench-sensitivity control | 0.1 – 0.22 | 0.16 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each)0.15 total | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 7049?
Chromic or sulfuric anodize plus primer for aerospace corrosion protection; keep parts insulated from steel and carbon composites, and shot-peen critical machined surfaces for fatigue life.
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 7049 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A97049
- Aluminum Association
- AA7049
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-7049AW 7049
How much does 7049 cost?
7049 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 58% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
7049 — frequently asked
What is 7049 used for?
7049 is typically used for aircraft landing gear forgings, airframe fittings and lugs, support arms and links, thick-section closed-die forgings, hand (open-die) forgings and thick plate for machined structural parts. In short: high-strength aerospace forging.
What is the yield strength of 7049?
7049 has a typical yield strength of 475 MPa (68.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) — stronger than 94% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 7049 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades). Machines well in the overaged tempers with sharp carbide tools, high speed and flood coolant; chips are tough so use polished flutes and generous rake to avoid built-up edge.
Can 7049 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not weldable by fusion processes (hot cracking and loss of SCC resistance); join by fasteners, adhesive bonding or friction stir with qualified procedures.
What surface finishes work on 7049?
Chromic or sulfuric anodize plus primer for aerospace corrosion protection; keep parts insulated from steel and carbon composites, and shot-peen critical machined surfaces for fatigue life.
Can 7049 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot-work / forge at about 350–440 °C; cold forming in T73-type tempers is very limited — form in the solution-treated (W) state or before ageing.
What is the maximum service temperature of 7049?
7049 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 7049 cost?
7049 is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 58% 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 7049?
Yes — 7049 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- MMPDS — Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization — FAA/Battelle (2023)
- AMS 4111 / AMS-QQ-A-367 aluminium forging specifications — SAE International (2019)
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.