Aluminum MoldMAX Aluminum
MoldMAX Aluminum is a trade-named high-strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu (7075/7050-type) mould plate supplied as thick, stress-relieved and flatness-machined plate for injection, blow and vacuum-forming tooling, jigs and prototype cavities.
MoldMAX Aluminum tempers and conditions
MoldMAX Aluminum is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T74, stress relieved by stretching | Overaged plate: about 12–15 % less strength but markedly better stress-corrosion resistance, toughness and thermal conductivity — pick for large tools, humid or water-cooled service. | 430 | 500 | 10 | 135 HB | 40 % IACS |
Standard supply: stress-relieved, machined-flat mould plate | Default stock condition: peak-aged and stretch/stress-relieved thick plate, milled to flatness — pick it for general mould bases, cavities and fixtures. | 495 | 565 | 8 | 150 HB | 33 % IACS |
T6, stress relieved by stretching | Peak-strength, low-residual-stress plate temper — the normal choice when maximum hardness and dimensional stability after heavy machining are wanted. | 500 | 570 | 8 | 152 HB | 33 % IACS |
Solution heat treated and artificially aged | Peak-aged condition for bar, blocks and forged inserts where stretch stress-relief is not applicable; expect more machining distortion than T651. | 505 | 570 | 7 | 150 HB | 33 % IACS |
What is MoldMAX Aluminum?
MoldMAX Aluminum is a trade-named high-strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu (7075/7050-type) mould plate supplied as thick, stress-relieved and flatness-machined plate for injection, blow and vacuum-forming tooling, jigs and prototype cavities. It is chosen because it machines several times faster than tool steel, has ~4× the thermal conductivity (shorter cycle times) and needs no heat treatment after cutting. Limits are modest surface hardness and wear life versus P20/H13, essentially no arc weldability, sensitivity to stress-corrosion cracking in the peak-aged condition, and a service ceiling near 120–150 °C. MoldMAX Aluminum has a density of 2.81 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of aluminum grades. It melts at 477°C (891 °F). MoldMAX Aluminum has a yield strength of 495 MPa (71.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 71.7 GPa (10.4 Msi).
What is MoldMAX Aluminum used for?
- Injection mould cavities and cores
- Blow moulding tooling
- Vacuum and thermoforming moulds
- Foam and rotational moulds
- Prototype and bridge tooling
- Fixtures, jigs and mould base plates
- Ejector and backing plates
Advantages
- High strength — 495 MPa (71.8 ksi), better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 93% of aluminum grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 18/100, worse than 94% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 75% of aluminum grades
MoldMAX Aluminum properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
MoldMAX Aluminum has a density of 2.81 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of aluminum grades. It melts at 477°C (891 °F).
Mechanical15
MoldMAX Aluminum has a yield strength of 495 MPa (71.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 71.7 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal6
MoldMAX Aluminum is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 130 W/m·K (75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 65% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
MoldMAX Aluminum conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 75% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of MoldMAX Aluminum takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
MoldMAX Aluminum's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (18/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. MoldMAX Aluminum is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with MoldMAX Aluminum
Is MoldMAX Aluminum easy to machine?
Excellent — polished-flute carbide, 300–1000 m/min, high feeds and copious coolant/MQL; chips are gummy-free but plan roughing/stress-relief order to limit distortion on thin cores.
Can MoldMAX Aluminum be welded?
Not recommended for structural or cavity joints (hot cracking, loss of temper); repair by TIG with 5356/4043 or by cold welding/laser cladding, then re-machine and accept local softening.
Can MoldMAX Aluminum be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially a machining stock — cold forming and tight-radius bending should be avoided; hot forming/forging only above ~350 °C followed by full re-heat treatment.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to MoldMAX Aluminum. Every MoldMAX Aluminum part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent80 / 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 |
MoldMAX Aluminum 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Znnominal Al-Zn-Mg-Cu (7075-type) mould-plate chemistry; branded exact analysis is proprietary | 5.1 – 6.1 | 5.6 |
| Mg | 2.1 – 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Cu | 1.2 – 2 | 1.6 |
| Crmay be replaced by Zr in 7050-type variants | 0.18 – 0.28 | 0.22 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.2 | 0.03 |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on MoldMAX Aluminum?
Diamond-polish to a mould finish, then hard-anodize (Type III) or electroless nickel for wear/release; avoid caustic or chloride-bearing cleaners on bare surfaces.
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 MoldMAX Aluminum in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Mold MAX Aluminum
How much does MoldMAX Aluminum cost?
MoldMAX Aluminum is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
MoldMAX Aluminum — frequently asked
What is MoldMAX Aluminum used for?
MoldMAX Aluminum is typically used for injection mould cavities and cores, blow moulding tooling, vacuum and thermoforming moulds, foam and rotational moulds, prototype and bridge tooling and fixtures, jigs and mould base plates. In short: mid-grade mold plate.
What is the yield strength of MoldMAX Aluminum?
MoldMAX Aluminum has a typical yield strength of 495 MPa (71.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 565 MPa (81.9 ksi) — stronger than 96% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is MoldMAX Aluminum easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 92% of aluminum grades). Excellent — polished-flute carbide, 300–1000 m/min, high feeds and copious coolant/MQL; chips are gummy-free but plan roughing/stress-relief order to limit distortion on thin cores.
Can MoldMAX Aluminum be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (18/100). Not recommended for structural or cavity joints (hot cracking, loss of temper); repair by TIG with 5356/4043 or by cold welding/laser cladding, then re-machine and accept local softening.
What surface finishes work on MoldMAX Aluminum?
Diamond-polish to a mould finish, then hard-anodize (Type III) or electroless nickel for wear/release; avoid caustic or chloride-bearing cleaners on bare surfaces.
Can MoldMAX Aluminum be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially a machining stock — cold forming and tight-radius bending should be avoided; hot forming/forging only above ~350 °C followed by full re-heat treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of MoldMAX Aluminum?
MoldMAX Aluminum 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.
How much does MoldMAX Aluminum cost?
MoldMAX Aluminum is a premium-cost aluminum ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 MoldMAX Aluminum?
Yes — MoldMAX Aluminum is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM B209 / B209M — Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2021)
- Aluminum Association Teal Sheets — Alloy and Temper Designations — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- MMPDS-16 typical mechanical and fracture data, 7000-series plate — Battelle/FAA (2021)
- High-strength aluminium mould plate datasheets (7075/7050-type) — mould-plate producers (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion of Aluminum 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.