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Aluminum 7072 vs 7475

Aluminum · grade comparison

Aluminum 7072 and 7475 are both aluminum grades. 7475 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 421 MPa (61.1 ksi) against 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) for 7072, about 20 times as much; tensile strength follows at 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) vs 55 MPa (7.98 ksi). In exchange, 7072 is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 13% for 7475, and 7475 is harder (135 HB vs 20 HB). 7072 is lighter (2.72 g/cm³ vs 2.81 g/cm³ for 7475) and 7072 conducts heat better (227 W/m·K vs 163 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 7475 machines more easily (very good vs poor), 7072 welds better (very good vs poor), and 7072 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 7475 (premium, $$$).

7072Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

7475Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

7072 vs 7475: properties

70727475

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

69 GPa10 Msi
71 GPa10.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

26 GPa3.8 Msi
27 GPa3.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

69 GPa10 Msi
70 GPa10.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

55 MPa8 ksi
490 MPa71.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

21 MPa3 ksi
421 MPa61.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

32%
13%

Shear Strength

41 MPa5.9 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

30 MPa4.4 ksi
152 MPa22 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

20 HB
135 HB

Compressive Strength

—
428 MPa62.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
66 MPa·√m60.1 ksi·√in

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.72 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.81 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

640°C1,184 °F
477°C891 °F

Liquidus Temperature

657°C1,215 °F
635°C1,175 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

227 W/m·K131 BTU/hr·ft·°F
163 W/m·K94.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

900 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
864 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

23.6 µm/m·K13.1 µin/in·°F
22.7 µm/m·K12.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

395 J/g170 BTU/lb
390 J/g168 BTU/lb

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 150°C302 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

60 % IACS
40 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

2.87×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.13 µΩ·in
4.31×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.96 V
-0.82 V

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
50 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

30 / 100
72 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
70%

Weldability

80 / 100
18 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
30 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
10 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
65 / 100

Castability

—
20 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
205 MJ/kg88,134 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
12.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb
1,150 L/kg138 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

20%
12%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

20 kN·m/kg
174 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.4 MN·m/kg
25.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

3 kJ/m³
1,248 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

92.7 mm²/s
67.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
50

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.

20501002005002.22.42.62.83Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale70727475

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability70727475
CNC machining—Yes
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$$$ Premium
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.

7072 vs 7475 — frequently asked

Is 7475 stronger than 7072?

Yes. 7475 has a typical yield strength of 421 MPa (61.1 ksi) against 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) for 7072 — about 20 times as much. Tensile strength is 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) vs 55 MPa (7.98 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 7072 or 7475?

7072 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 7475 is premium ($$$). 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, 7072 or 7475?

7475. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against poor (30/100) for 7072; for welding the order is 7072 first (very good, 80/100) then 7475 (poor, 18/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 7072 and 7475 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.