Aluminum 7021 vs 7072
Aluminum · grade comparison
Aluminum 7021 and 7072 are both aluminum grades. 7021 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) against 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) for 7072, about 18 times as much; tensile strength follows at 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) vs 55 MPa (7.98 ksi). In exchange, 7072 is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 12% for 7021, and 7021 is harder (125 HB vs 20 HB). 7072 runs hotter in service (150°C vs 120°C continuous) and 7072 conducts heat better (227 W/m·K vs 140 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 7021 machines more easily (good vs poor), 7072 welds better (80 vs 70 out of 100), and 7072 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 7021 (standard, $$).
7021Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
7072Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
7021 vs 7072: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all aluminum grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all aluminum grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 7021 | 7072 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | 0.5 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 0.8 µm | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
Both are offered for Sheet metal. They share 15 finishes: Anodizing Type II, Cerakote, Chem Film (Alodine), E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing, Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFE, Hard Anodizing Type III, Nickel Plating, PTFE Coating and 3 more.
7021 vs 7072 — frequently asked
Is 7021 stronger than 7072?
Yes. 7021 has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) against 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) for 7072 — about 18 times as much. Tensile strength is 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) vs 55 MPa (7.98 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 7021 or 7072?
7072 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 7021 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 7021 or 7072?
7021. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against poor (30/100) for 7072; for welding the order is 7072 first (very good, 80/100) then 7021 (very good, 70/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 7021 and 7072 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.