Aluminum 7072-H16
Temper
AA 7072 · UNS A97072 · EN AW-7072, AW 7072
H16 = strain hardened, three-quarter hard
Higher-strength strip where fin geometry is shallow and springback is acceptable.
Values for the H16 condition
Other 7072 tempers and conditions
7072 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 7072.
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 |
H16This page 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-H16?
7072-H16 is 7072 in the H16 temper — higher-strength strip where fin geometry is shallow and springback is acceptable. 7072-H16 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 7072-H16 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).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 224 W/m·K (129.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 58 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
- Forms and bends easily — 60/100, better than 77% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 110°C (230 °F), worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 38/100, worse than 84% of aluminum grades
- Low strength — 115 MPa (16.7 ksi), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
7072-H16 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 7072-H16; 18 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 7072 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
7072-H16 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-H16 has a yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
7072-H16 is rated for continuous service to 110°C (230 °F). It conducts heat at 224 W/m·K (129.4 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-H16 conducts electricity at 58 % 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-H16 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-H16's machinability is fair (38/100, worse than 84% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 7072-H16
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.
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.
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 | — |
7072-H16 — frequently asked
What is 7072-H16 used for?
7072-H16 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-H16?
7072-H16 has a typical yield strength of 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 79% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 7072-H16 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, worse than 84% 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-H16 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). 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-H16?
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-H16 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-H16?
7072-H16 is rated for continuous use to about 110°C (230 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 7072-H16?
Yes — 7072-H16 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.