7075 aluminum plate for aircraft
7075 Aluminum Plate for Aircraft: What Matters After You Choose "High Strength"
When customers ask for 7075 aluminum plate for aircraft, the conversation often starts and ends with one phrase: high strength. That's true-but aircraft buyers get the best results when they look at 7075 from a more practical angle:
7075 isn't just a strong alloy. It's a strength system that only works when thickness, temper, direction, stress, and corrosion protection are treated as one package.
Below is a concise, customer-friendly breakdown from that "real-world application" perspective.
1) Why aircraft programs keep choosing 7075 plate
7075 (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu) is one of the highest-strength aluminum alloys available in plate form. In aircraft structures, it's selected when designers want:
- High strength-to-weight for primary structures
- Good fatigue performance when properly designed and processed
- Machinability that supports tight-tolerance aerospace parts
Common aircraft uses include wing fittings, fuselage frames, bulkheads, seat tracks, landing gear-related components (non-rotating structural parts), and a wide range of machined structural blocks.
2) The decision is usually the temper, not the alloy name
From a buying standpoint, the biggest performance differences come from temper selection:
- 7075-T6: Very high strength; commonly used where peak static strength is needed.
- 7075-T73 / T7351: Slightly lower strength than T6, but better resistance to stress corrosion cracking (SCC)-often preferred for thicker plate and critical aircraft structures.
- 7075-T651 / T7651 (stress-relieved): Popular for plate because it helps reduce distortion during machining.
Distinctive takeaway:
If the part is thick, highly stressed, or will see corrosive environments, many aircraft buyers prioritize SCC resistance and stability (often T73/T7351 or similar) over maximum strength.
3) "Aircraft plate" success depends on thickness and grain direction
Plate is not mechanically identical in all directions. Aircraft parts frequently have load paths that must align with the plate's grain structure.
- L / LT / ST directions (longitudinal/long transverse/short transverse) matter for toughness, fatigue behavior, and crack growth characteristics.
- Thicker plate can be more sensitive in the short-transverse direction and more vulnerable to SCC if temper and processing aren't matched to the application.
Practical buying tip:
When requesting quotes, specify thickness and critical load direction, especially for fittings and heavily loaded blocks.
4) Machining reality: 7075 plate is chosen because it finishes well-if it's stress-relieved
Aircraft components are often heavily machined from thick plate. This is where customers see the real value of the right plate condition:
- Stress-relieved tempers (like -T651) reduce the risk of part distortion, warping, and scrap.
- Stable plate supports consistent flatness, tolerance control, and repeatability across batches.
Distinctive takeaway:
Many "7075 problems" in production are not alloy problems-they are residual stress + aggressive material removal problems. The plate condition and machining strategy must match.
5) Corrosion and protection: 7075 is strong, not naturally corrosion-proof
Compared with some other aerospace alloys, 7075 is less forgiving in corrosive environments, especially under sustained stress.
In aircraft use, 7075 plate is commonly paired with:
- Cladding (where applicable) or protective systems
- Anodizing / conversion coating
- Primer + paint systems, sealants, and good drainage design
Practical note:
If your part is exposed to moisture, salt air, or de-icing fluids, temper choice (e.g., T73/T7351) and surface protection are not optional-they are part of the design.
6) What to ask your supplier to avoid "looks right, performs wrong"
A quick purchase checklist for 7075 aluminum plate used in aircraft machining:
- Temper (T6 vs T73/T7351 vs stress-relieved options)
- Thickness and tolerances (flatness matters for machining yield)
- Grain direction requirements (if loads are directional)
- Test reports / traceability (common aerospace requirement)
- Intended surface treatment (anodize/paint system compatibility)
Bottom line
7075 aluminum plate for aircraft is a high-strength solution-but only when selected like an aircraft material, not a catalog item. The best outcomes come from choosing the right temper, aligning to thickness and grain direction, and planning for corrosion protection and machining stability from the start.