Aluminum TK Ultra 7
TK Ultra 7 is a high-strength AlZnMgCu (7000 series) precision plate produced by roll/continuous casting, then solution treated, aged and deeply stress-relieved — a tooling plate product in the same class as Alimex G.AL C plate.
TK Ultra 7 tempers and conditions
TK Ultra 7 is supplied in one standard condition, STD.
What is TK Ultra 7?
TK Ultra 7 is a high-strength AlZnMgCu (7000 series) precision plate produced by roll/continuous casting, then solution treated, aged and deeply stress-relieved — a tooling plate product in the same class as Alimex G.AL C plate. Engineers choose it for uniform strength and hardness through thick sections combined with very low residual stress, so large milled surfaces stay flat, plus excellent machinability and high surface quality. Limits are poor weldability and cold formability, lower stress-corrosion and general corrosion resistance than 5083 or 6061, continuous service to about 120 °C, and a price clearly above standard rolled plate. TK Ultra 7 has a density of 2.82 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of aluminum grades. It melts at 475°C (887 °F). TK Ultra 7 has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) — stronger than 80% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
What is TK Ultra 7 used for?
- Injection mold cavities, cores and inserts
- Blow mold tooling
- Thermoforming and vacuum forming molds
- Precision fixture and jig plates
- Machine base and mounting plates
- Prototype and short-run mold tooling
- Automation tool plates
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of aluminum grades
- High strength — 320 MPa (46.4 ksi), better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 89% of aluminum grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
TK Ultra 7 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
TK Ultra 7 has a density of 2.82 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 89% of aluminum grades. It melts at 475°C (887 °F).
Mechanical14
TK Ultra 7 has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) — stronger than 80% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 71 GPa (10.3 Msi).
Thermal6
TK Ultra 7 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 150 W/m·K (86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
TK Ultra 7 conducts electricity at 33 % IACS, worse than 57% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 62% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TK Ultra 7 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
TK Ultra 7's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. TK Ultra 7 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TK Ultra 7
Is TK Ultra 7 easy to machine?
Excellent — high cutting speeds with polished-flute carbide, short chips, low distortion thanks to the stress-relieved plate; typical Ra <0.4 µm achievable on finish passes.
Can TK Ultra 7 be welded?
Not recommended for structural joints — Cu/Zn-bearing 7000 series is hot-crack prone; use mechanical fastening, or FSW/laser repair only with qualified procedures.
Can TK Ultra 7 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied for machining, not forming — very limited cold bending; any hot forming above ~150 °C will over-age and soften the plate.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to TK Ultra 7. Every TK Ultra 7 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent88 / 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 |
TK Ultra 7 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Znprincipal hardening element (AlZnMgCu family) | 4.5 – 6.5 | 5.6 |
| Mg | 1 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Curaises strength, lowers corrosion resistance | 0.3 – 1.6 | 0.8 |
| Mn | 0 – 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Crgrain-structure control | 0 – 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Zroptional dispersoid former | 0 – 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Tigrain refiner | 0 – 0.2 | 0.03 |
| Feimpurity | 0 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Siimpurity | 0 – 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Al | balance |
What surface finishes work on TK Ultra 7?
Hard anodize for wear surfaces, chemical conversion coating or paint for corrosion protection; decorative anodizing tends to a grey, non-uniform shade — bead blasting or polishing before coating gives the best cosmetics.
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
How much does TK Ultra 7 cost?
TK Ultra 7 is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), cheaper than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
TK Ultra 7 — frequently asked
What is TK Ultra 7 used for?
TK Ultra 7 is typically used for injection mold cavities, cores and inserts, blow mold tooling, thermoforming and vacuum forming molds, precision fixture and jig plates, machine base and mounting plates and prototype and short-run mold tooling. In short: ultra-hard mold plate; steel-like.
What is the yield strength of TK Ultra 7?
TK Ultra 7 has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) — stronger than 80% of aluminum grades.
Is TK Ultra 7 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades). Excellent — high cutting speeds with polished-flute carbide, short chips, low distortion thanks to the stress-relieved plate; typical Ra <0.4 µm achievable on finish passes.
Can TK Ultra 7 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended for structural joints — Cu/Zn-bearing 7000 series is hot-crack prone; use mechanical fastening, or FSW/laser repair only with qualified procedures.
What surface finishes work on TK Ultra 7?
Hard anodize for wear surfaces, chemical conversion coating or paint for corrosion protection; decorative anodizing tends to a grey, non-uniform shade — bead blasting or polishing before coating gives the best cosmetics.
Can TK Ultra 7 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied for machining, not forming — very limited cold bending; any hot forming above ~150 °C will over-age and soften the plate.
What is the maximum service temperature of TK Ultra 7?
TK Ultra 7 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does TK Ultra 7 cost?
TK Ultra 7 is a high-cost aluminum ($$$$), cheaper than about 59% 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 TK Ultra 7?
Yes — TK Ultra 7 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
- High-strength cast AlZnMgCu precision/tooling plate datasheets (G.AL C-series class products) — European aluminium plate producers (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- EN 485-2 / EN 573-3 (7000-series wrought aluminium plate properties and composition limits, used as analogue) — CEN (2019)
- MMPDS-18 typical 7000-series thick-plate property data — Battelle/FAA (2023)
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.