Benchmark · 4 materials
Aluminum 7021 vs Aluminum 2007 vs Aluminum 2017 vs Aluminum 2017A
All aluminum grades — bands show the family's 10th–90th percentile. The best value in each row is in bold; metric first, imperial in gray.
Properties
| Property | 7021 | 2007 | 2017 | 2017A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPa | 320 MPa46 ksi | 250 MPa36 ksi | 275 MPa40 ksi | 275 MPa40 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPa | 380 MPa55 ksi | 320 MPa46 ksi | 425 MPa62 ksi | 425 MPa62 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 115 | 88 | 99 | 99 |
| Densityg/cm³ | 2.78 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³ | 2.84 g/cm³0.103 lb/in³ | 2.79 g/cm³0.101 lb/in³ | 2.79 g/cm³0.101 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 105 HB | 95 HB | 105 HB | 105 HB |
| Max service temp°C | 120 °C248 °F | 150 °C302 °F | 150 °C302 °F | 150 °C302 °F |
| Min service temp°C | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F | -200 °C-328 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 38 % IACS22 MS/m | 31 % IACS18 MS/m | 33 % IACS19.1 MS/m | 33 % IACS19.1 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Good60 / 100 | Excellent95 / 100 | Excellent90 / 100 | Excellent85 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Very good80 / 100 | Not recommended10 / 100 | Not recommended10 / 100 | Not recommended10 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Very good70 / 100 | Poor25 / 100 | Poor30 / 100 | Poor30 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Processes | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet | CNC, Sheet |
Where each grade sits
One track per property; coloured markers are the compared grades, the shaded band is the aluminum family 10th–90th percentile and the tick its median.
Yield strength320 MPa
50 MPafamily median 175 MPa468 MPa
Tensile strength380 MPa
110 MPafamily median 290 MPa525 MPa
Density2.78 g/cm³
2.66 g/cm³family median 2.71 g/cm³2.82 g/cm³
Hardness (HB equiv.)105 HB
28 HBfamily median 78 HB145 HB
Max service temp120 °C
100 °Cfamily median 150 °C200 °C
Electrical conductivity38 % IACS
29 % IACSfamily median 38 % IACS52 % IACS
Machinability60 / 100
45 / 100family median 60 / 10085 / 100
Relative cost26
16family median 2248
7021200720172017A
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 7021 | 2007 | 2017 | 2017A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sheet metal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Default condition | — | — | — | — |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm | Ra 0.8 µm |
| Heat treatments | Age T6 (Aluminum), Age T651 (Aluminum), Full Anneal | Age T6 (Aluminum), Age T651 (Aluminum), Full Anneal | Age T6 (Aluminum), Age T651 (Aluminum), Full Anneal | Age T6 (Aluminum), Age T651 (Aluminum), Full Anneal |
| Anodizing Type II | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cerakote | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chem Film (Alodine) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chemical Etching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DLC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dot Peen Marking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| E-Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electro-chemical Etching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electropolishing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Embossing / Debossing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gold Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hard Anodizing Type III | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ink Stamping | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Laser Marking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mechanical Engraving | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Showing 18 of 25 finishes — the full list is on each grade's datasheet.
Typical handbook values for the default condition, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.