Aluminum 7068
AA 7068 · UNS A97068
7068 (A97068) is an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy among the highest-strength commercially available aluminums, reaching about 683 MPa yield, 710 MPa tensile, 11% elongation and 190 HB in T6 — above 7075.
Reference datasheet — 7068 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the T6511 condition
7068 tempers and conditions
7068 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. T6511 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Soft fabrication condition for heavy forming or straightening before re-heat-treatment; never used as a service temper. | 110 | 230 | 14 | 60 HB | 42 % IACS |
Solution treated, stretched, fully overaged for maximum SCC resistance | Special-order overaged condition for the most SCC-critical parts; strength drops toward 7075-T73 levels so it is rarely specified for 7068. | 555 | 600 | 12 | 160 HB | 39 % IACS |
Solution treated, stretched, overaged for exfoliation/SCC resistance | Pick when exfoliation and stress-corrosion resistance are required and ~7 % strength loss versus T6511 is acceptable. | 620 | 655 | 11 | 175 HB | 36 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Use for flat rolled or machined plate/bar where low residual stress and dimensional stability during machining matter. | 670 | 700 | 10 | 185 HB | 31 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Peak-strength temper for forgings and non-stress-relieved product where maximum static strength is wanted. | 676 | 705 | 10 | 188 HB | 31 % IACS |
T6511Default T6, stress relieved by stretching, minor straightening | The standard stocked condition for 7068 extruded rod/bar/shapes — maximum strength with controlled residual stress. | 683 | 710 | 11 | 190 HB | 31 % IACS |
Solution treated, stress-relieved by stretching, aged; no further… | Extruded shapes/bar with minimum residual stress and no post-stretch straightening — best choice for symmetric heavy machining. | 683 | 710 | 11 | 190 HB | 31 % IACS |
What is 7068?
7068 (A97068) is an Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy among the highest-strength commercially available aluminums, reaching about 683 MPa yield, 710 MPa tensile, 11% elongation and 190 HB in T6 — above 7075. It is supplied mainly as extrusions and die forgings in O, T6, T651, T6510, T6511 and the more corrosion-resistant T76511 and T73511 tempers, and is used where weight saving justifies reduced toughness. Weldability (12/100), formability (12/100) and corrosion resistance (32/100) are all poor, service is capped near 120 °C, and cost and availability are well behind 7075. 7068 has a density of 2.85 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of aluminum grades. It melts at 476°C (889 °F). 7068 has a yield strength of 683 MPa (99.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 710 MPa (103 ksi) — stronger than 100% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 73 GPa (10.6 Msi).
What is 7068 used for?
- bicycle components
- sporting goods (golf clubs, bats)
- high-strength fasteners
- military components
Advantages
- High strength — 683 MPa (99.1 ksi), better than 100% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 82% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 98% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 32/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
7068 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 7068-T6511; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
7068 has a density of 2.85 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of aluminum grades. It melts at 476°C (889 °F).
Mechanical13
7068 has a yield strength of 683 MPa (99.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 710 MPa (103 ksi) — stronger than 100% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 73 GPa (10.6 Msi).
Thermal6
7068 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 155 W/m·K (89.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
7068 conducts electricity at 31 % IACS, worse than 68% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), worse than 94% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 7068 takes about 205 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability7
7068's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
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. 7068 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 7068
Is 7068 easy to machine?
Machines well with sharp carbide, high speed and polished flutes (like 7075 but with higher cutting forces and springback); use flood or MQL coolant and choose T6510/T651 for low residual stress on thin-walled parts.
Can 7068 be welded?
Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking and severe HAZ strength/SCC loss); join by fasteners, adhesives, or friction-stir/friction welding with post-weld aging where qualified.
Can 7068 be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially no cold forming in T6x — bend or form in O/W (as-quenched) condition and re-age; supplied mainly as extrusions and die forgings hot-worked at ~370–430 °C.
7068 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Znprimary strengthening addition | 7.3 – 8.3 | 7.8 |
| Mg | 2.2 – 3 | 2.6 |
| Cu | 1.6 – 2.4 | 2 |
| Zrgrain-structure control (recrystallization inhibitor) | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Si | ≤ 0.12 | |
| Fe | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Cr | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Ti | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Others (each)0.15 max total | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on 7068?
Anodizes well including Type III hard coat (shade runs slightly grey/dark); protect short-transverse machined surfaces with anodize + primer to limit stress-corrosion and exfoliation risk, or specify a T76 temper.
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).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 7068 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A97068
How much does 7068 cost?
7068 is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
7068 — frequently asked
What is 7068 used for?
7068 is typically used for bicycle components, sporting goods (golf clubs, bats), high-strength fasteners and military components. In short: highest-strength aluminum extrusion; stronger than 7075-T6; not fusion weldable.
What is the yield strength of 7068?
7068 has a typical yield strength of 683 MPa (99.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 710 MPa (103 ksi) — stronger than 100% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 7068 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 80% of aluminum grades). Machines well with sharp carbide, high speed and polished flutes (like 7075 but with higher cutting forces and springback); use flood or MQL coolant and choose T6510/T651 for low residual stress on thin-walled parts.
Can 7068 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Not recommended for fusion welding (hot cracking and severe HAZ strength/SCC loss); join by fasteners, adhesives, or friction-stir/friction welding with post-weld aging where qualified.
What surface finishes work on 7068?
Anodizes well including Type III hard coat (shade runs slightly grey/dark); protect short-transverse machined surfaces with anodize + primer to limit stress-corrosion and exfoliation risk, or specify a T76 temper.
Can 7068 be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially no cold forming in T6x — bend or form in O/W (as-quenched) condition and re-age; supplied mainly as extrusions and die forgings hot-worked at ~370–430 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 7068?
7068 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 7068-T6511 and 7068-O?
T6511 is the default condition — the standard stocked condition for 7068 extruded rod/bar/shapes — maximum strength with controlled residual stress. O: soft fabrication condition for heavy forming or straightening before re-heat-treatment; never used as a service temper. Yield strength is 683 MPa in T6511 versus 110 MPa in O.
How much does 7068 cost?
7068 is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- 7068 Extruded Rod, Bar and Shapes — Alloy Data — Kaiser Aluminum (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS (Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization) — Battelle/FAA (2023)
- MatWeb aluminium 7068-T6511 data record — MatWeb LLC (2024)
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.