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Aluminum 7075 vs 7A52

Aluminum · grade comparison

Aluminum 7075 and 7A52 are both aluminum grades. 7075 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 503 MPa (73 ksi) against 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) for 7A52, about 29% more; tensile strength follows at 572 MPa (83 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi). 7075 is harder — 150 HB against 135 HB for 7A52 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 7A52 conducts heat better (150 W/m·K vs 130 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 7075 machines more easily (very good vs good), 7A52 welds better (very good vs poor), and 7A52 forms better (fair vs poor).

7075Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

7A52Choose it when it will be welded.

7075 vs 7A52: properties

70757A52

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

71.7 GPa10.4 Msi
70 GPa10.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

26.9 GPa3.9 Msi
27 GPa3.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

70 GPa10.2 Msi
72 GPa10.4 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

572 MPa83 ksi
460 MPa66.7 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

503 MPa73 ksi
390 MPa56.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

11%
12%

Reduction in Area

25%
—

Compressive Strength

505 MPa73.2 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Shear Strength

331 MPa48 ksi
280 MPa40.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

159 MPa23.1 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

27 MPa·√m24.6 ksi·√in
32 MPa·√m29.1 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

8 J5.9 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

150 HB
135 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

87 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

175 HV
145 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.33

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

477°C891 °F
585°C1,085 °F

Liquidus Temperature

635°C1,175 °F
640°C1,184 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

130 W/m·K75.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
150 W/m·K86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

23.6 µm/m·K13.1 µin/in·°F
23.5 µm/m·K13.1 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 960 J/kg·K0.23 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 120°C248 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

33 % IACS
40 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.15×10⁻⁸ Ω·m2.03 µΩ·in
4.3×10⁻⁸ Ω·m1.69 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.83 V
-0.85 V

Corrosion Resistance

35 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

78 / 100
62 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

160%
70%

Weldability

18 / 100
75 / 100

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

10 / 100
20 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

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

Typical Recycled Content

15%
20%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 1,200 L/kg144 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

204 kN·m/kg
165 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.5 MN·m/kg
25.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,764 kJ/m³
1,086 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

48.2 mm²/s
56.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

44
42

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 scale70757A52

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability70757A52
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionT6—
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$$ High
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 0.8 µm—
Anodizing Type IIYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chem Film (Alodine)Yes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
Hard Anodize Type III w/ PTFEYes—
Hard Anodizing Type IIIYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Powder CoatingYes—

They share 4 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Silver Plating.

7075 vs 7A52 — frequently asked

Is 7075 stronger than 7A52?

Yes. 7075 has a typical yield strength of 503 MPa (73 ksi) against 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) for 7A52 — about 29% more. Tensile strength is 572 MPa (83 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 7075 or 7A52?

7075 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 7A52 is high ($$$$). 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, 7075 or 7A52?

7075. Its machinability rates very good (78/100) against good (62/100) for 7A52; for welding the order is 7A52 first (very good, 75/100) then 7075 (poor, 18/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 7075 and 7A52 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.