Aluminum 7050-W
Heat-treated state
AA 7050 · UNS A97050, A07050 · EN AW-7050, AW 7050 · JIS A7050P · also ZG32A
W = solution heat treated (unstable)
Transient condition used for forming/straightening immediately after quench; must be aged to a T7x temper and is not a delivery condition for service parts.
Values for the W condition
Other 7050 tempers and conditions
7050 is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at 7050.
Compare all 11 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
705.0-T1 (cast Al-Zn-Mg, as-cast and naturally aged) | Self-hardening Al-Zn-Mg sand/permanent-mold casting alloy 705.0 used as-cast and naturally aged, giving moderate strength without solution heat treatment plus good machinability and anodizing response. | 110 | 200 | 5 | 60 HB | 35 % IACS |
705.0-T5 (cast Al-Zn-Mg, artificially aged) | Casting alloy 705.0 given a low-temperature artificial age directly from the as-cast condition, raising strength and dimensional stability while keeping the alloy's good machinability, weldability and anodizing behaviour. | 125 | 225 | 8 | 65 HB | 35 % IACS |
WThis page Solution heat treated (unstable) | Transient condition used for forming/straightening immediately after quench; must be aged to a T7x temper and is not a delivery condition for service parts. | 220 | 380 | 18 | 90 HB | 32 % IACS |
Solution treated, stress-relieved by compression, T74 overaged | Standard condition for 7050 die and hand forgings needing low residual stress plus good short-transverse SCC resistance. | 434 | 496 | 10 | 135 HB | 40.5 % IACS |
Overaged between T73 and T76 | General overaged forging temper (former T736) where stretching/compression stress relief is not specified; good SCC resistance in the short-transverse direction. | 441 | 510 | 11 | 138 HB | 40.5 % IACS |
Extrusion, solution treated, stress-relieved by stretching, T73 overaged | Extruded shapes/bar where maximum SCC resistance and low residual stress are required and minor straightening is not permitted. | 462 | 510 | 10 | 140 HB | 40.5 % IACS |
Extrusion, T73510 plus minor straightening within tolerance | Same as T73510 but minor straightening after stress relief is allowed — the usual purchase condition for long extruded sections. | 462 | 510 | 10 | 140 HB | 40.5 % IACS |
T74, stress relieved by stretching | The workhorse condition for thick aerospace plate: best balance of strength, fracture toughness and SCC resistance, low residual stress so it stays flat during heavy machining. | 469 | 524 | 11 | 140 HB | 40.5 % IACS |
T76, stress relieved by stretching | Pick for thinner plate where higher strength is needed and good exfoliation resistance suffices; SCC resistance and toughness are lower than T7451. | 490 | 552 | 11 | 147 HB | 40 % IACS |
Extrusion, solution treated, stress-relieved by stretching, T76 overaged | Higher-strength extrusion temper with good exfoliation resistance; choose over T735xx when strength governs. | 490 | 538 | 10 | 146 HB | 40 % IACS |
Extrusion, T76510 plus minor straightening within tolerance | Commercial straightened version of T76510 for stringers, seat tracks and other high-strength extruded profiles. | 490 | 538 | 10 | 146 HB | 40 % IACS |
What is 7050-W?
7050-W is 7050 heat treated to W — transient condition used for forming/straightening immediately after quench; must be aged to a T7x temper and is not a delivery condition for service parts. 7050-W has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi). 7050-W has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 488°C (910 °F).
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 36 MPa·√m (32.8 ksi·√in), better than 93% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 18%, better than 86% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to weld — 18/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
7050-W properties
Typical room-temperature values for 7050-W; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 7050 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
7050-W has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of aluminum grades. It melts at 488°C (910 °F).
Mechanical12
7050-W has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
7050-W is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 125 W/m·K (72.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.5 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
7050-W conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 98% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 7050-W takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
7050-W's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (18/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 7050-W
Is 7050 easy to machine?
Machines very freely in T74/T76 with sharp carbide, high speed and flood coolant/MQL; low residual stress of the ...51/...52 tempers is what makes deep pocket milling of monolithic parts practical.
Can 7050 be welded?
Not arc weldable (hot-cracking and severe HAZ SCC) — join by fasteners, adhesive bonding or friction stir welding with qualified procedures.
Can 7050 be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially a machining/forging alloy: form only in the W (as-quenched) or hot condition; cold bending in T7x risks cracking, use generous radii.
What surface finishes work on 7050?
Chromic/sulfuric or hard anodize plus primer for aerospace service; chemical conversion coating (Alodine/trivalent) is common, and the alloy takes paint well but gives a dull grey-yellow clear anodize.
7050 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 | 5.7 – 6.7 | 6.2 |
| Mg | 1.9 – 2.6 | 2.25 |
| Cu | 2 – 2.6 | 2.3 |
| Zrgrain-structure control instead of Cr | 0.08 – 0.15 | 0.11 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Si | ≤ 0.12 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Cr | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.06 | — |
| Others (each)each | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Others (total)total | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
7050-W — frequently asked
What is 7050-W used for?
7050-W is typically used for aircraft bulkheads, fuselage frames, wing spars and ribs, landing-gear fittings, monolithic machined structural components and die and hand forgings for airframes. In short: crack resistant; heavy-duty aerospace.
What is the yield strength of 7050-W?
7050-W has a typical yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — stronger than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is 7050-W easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 54% of aluminum grades). Machines very freely in T74/T76 with sharp carbide, high speed and flood coolant/MQL; low residual stress of the ...51/...52 tempers is what makes deep pocket milling of monolithic parts practical.
Can 7050-W be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (18/100). Not arc weldable (hot-cracking and severe HAZ SCC) — join by fasteners, adhesive bonding or friction stir welding with qualified procedures.
What surface finishes work on 7050-W?
Chromic/sulfuric or hard anodize plus primer for aerospace service; chemical conversion coating (Alodine/trivalent) is common, and the alloy takes paint well but gives a dull grey-yellow clear anodize.
Can 7050-W be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially a machining/forging alloy: form only in the W (as-quenched) or hot condition; cold bending in T7x risks cracking, use generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 7050-W?
7050-W 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 7050-W?
Yes — 7050-W 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
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — Registration Record of Alloys (composition of 7050) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- ASTM B209 / AMS 4050 — 7050 plate mechanical properties — ASTM / SAE (2021)
- AMS 4107 / AMS 4108 — 7050 die and hand forgings — SAE International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS-17 — Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization — Battelle/FAA (2022)
- 7050 aerospace plate datasheet — Alcoa / Arconic (2019)
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.