Aluminum 7072
AA 7072 · UNS A97072 · EN AW-7072, AW 7072
7072 is a non-heat-treatable Al–1 % Zn alloy whose electrochemical potential is more anodic than common 2000 series, 3000 series, 5000 series, 6000 and 7000 series core alloys, so it is used as the sacrificial Alclad cladding on sheet and tube, as heat-exchanger finstock and as the clad layer of brazing strip.
7072 tempers and conditions
7072 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Standard stocked condition for 7072 sheet, finstock and clad veneer — maximum formability and sacrificial protection, essentially no load-carrying capability. | 21 | 55 | 32 | 20 HB | 60 % IACS |
Strain hardened, quarter hard | Light cold work for slightly stiffer finstock/clad sheet while keeping good bendability. | 75 | 95 | 12 | 27 HB | 59 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Choose when H14-level strength is required together with better bend/fin-forming ductility. | 85 | 110 | 12 | 31 HB | 59 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Most common work-hardened condition for 7072 heat-exchanger fin stock needing collapse resistance during fin forming. | 95 | 110 | 9 | 32 HB | 59 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Stabilised three-quarter-hard finstock temper balancing fin height retention against tearing. | 105 | 130 | 8 | 36 HB | 59 % IACS |
Strain hardened, three-quarter hard | Higher-strength strip where fin geometry is shallow and springback is acceptable. | 115 | 130 | 6 | 37 HB | 58 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | Full-hard strip/foil for high-stiffness fins and slit coil; minimal bend ductility. | 135 | 150 | 5 | 42 HB | 58 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Extra-hard thin gauge foil/finstock for maximum strength-per-thickness in condenser and radiator fins. | 150 | 165 | 3 | 46 HB | 58 % IACS |
What is 7072?
7072 is a non-heat-treatable Al–1 % Zn alloy whose electrochemical potential is more anodic than common 2000 series, 3000 series, 5000 series, 6000 and 7000 series core alloys, so it is used as the sacrificial Alclad cladding on sheet and tube, as heat-exchanger finstock and as the clad layer of brazing strip. Engineers specify it for cathodic protection of the core, excellent formability and high thermal and electrical conductivity. Strength is very low — about 55 MPa tensile in the O temper — so it is never used alone as a load-bearing material; 1100 or 3003 are the choices when strength matters more than protection. 7072 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 640°C (1,184 °F). 7072 has a yield strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 7072 used for?
- Alclad sacrificial surface layers
- Heat-exchanger finstock
- Brazing sheet cladding
- Tube cladding for condensers
- Corrugated radiator and condenser fins
- Automotive heat-exchanger strip
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 32%, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 227 W/m·K (131.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 60 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 21 MPa (3.05 ksi), worse than 99% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
7072 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
7072 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 640°C (1,184 °F).
Mechanical10
7072 has a yield strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
7072 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 227 W/m·K (131.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
7072 conducts electricity at 60 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 7072 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
7072's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability excellent (95/100).
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. 7072 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 7072
Is 7072 easy to machine?
Very soft and gummy — use sharp polished high-rake tools, high speed and flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge; parts are seldom machined since 7072 is a thin cladding or fin stock.
Can 7072 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded and vacuum/flux brazed; on Alclad products keep heat input low so Zn diffusion into the core does not destroy the cathodic protection.
Can 7072 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O temper — deep drawing, fin corrugation and roll bonding are routine; H1x tempers trade ductility for fin stiffness.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 7072. Every 7072 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent95 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better80 / 100 |
7072 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Znsacrificial anode element | 0.8 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Si+Fecombined limit per AA registration | ≤ 0.7 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Mg | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Alremainder, 99.0 % min basis | balance |
What surface finishes work on 7072?
Chromate/no-rinse conversion coating or clear anodize is typical; decorative anodizing looks duller than 1000 series and heavy caustic etching removes the thin sacrificial layer.
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).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 7072 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- A97072
- Aluminum Association
- AA7072
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-7072AW 7072
How much does 7072 cost?
7072 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 83% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
7072 — frequently asked
What is 7072 used for?
7072 is typically used for alclad sacrificial surface layers, heat-exchanger finstock, brazing sheet cladding, tube cladding for condensers, corrugated radiator and condenser fins and automotive heat-exchanger strip. In short: cladding alloy for 2000/7000 series.
What is the yield strength of 7072?
7072 has a typical yield strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) and a tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) — weaker than 99% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 7072 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades). Very soft and gummy — use sharp polished high-rake tools, high speed and flood lubricant to avoid built-up edge; parts are seldom machined since 7072 is a thin cladding or fin stock.
Can 7072 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded and vacuum/flux brazed; on Alclad products keep heat input low so Zn diffusion into the core does not destroy the cathodic protection.
What surface finishes work on 7072?
Chromate/no-rinse conversion coating or clear anodize is typical; decorative anodizing looks duller than 1000 series and heavy caustic etching removes the thin sacrificial layer.
Can 7072 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability in O temper — deep drawing, fin corrugation and roll bonding are routine; H1x tempers trade ductility for fin stiffness.
What is the maximum service temperature of 7072?
7072 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 7072 cost?
7072 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 83% 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 7072?
Yes — 7072 is available for 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)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate (Alclad products) — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — chemical composition — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (solution potentials of aluminium alloys) — ASM International (2005)
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.