7075 perforated aluminum plate sheet
7075 Perforated Aluminum Plate Sheet: When "Lightweight" Still Means "Serious Strength"
Most perforated sheets are bought for one reason-airflow, drainage, screening, or weight reduction. 7075 perforated aluminum plate sheet is different: people choose it when the perforations are useful, but the base material still has to behave like a structural component. Think of it as "perforated sheet that doesn't want to be treated like a flimsy panel."
A unique way to think about it: you're buying the metal behind the holes
Perforations get attention (hole size, pitch, open area), but performance is determined by what remains: the ligaments between holes and the plate's ability to carry load, resist bending, and hold fasteners.
7075 stands out because it's one of the highest-strength aluminum alloys commonly available-so even after you remove material for the hole pattern, you can still achieve exceptional stiffness-to-weight compared with many alternatives.
Why 7075 for perforated plate (and when it's worth it)
Choose 7075 perforated plate when you need:
- High strength with weight savings (aerospace-inspired strength in a sheet format)
- Better resistance to denting and deformation than softer alloys
- A panel that stays rigid even with significant open area
- Performance-first parts: protective panels, load-bearing screens, equipment covers, stiffened guards, lightweight structural skins
Consider other alloys when you need:
- Frequent forming/bending: 7075 is not ideal for tight-radius bends after perforation
- Maximum corrosion resistance without coating: 5052/6061 may be easier choices
- Welding-heavy fabrication: 7075 is generally not a "weld-friendly" structural alloy
The details customers actually need (quick and practical)
1) Temper matters more than many buyers realize
Common tempers include 7075-T6 and 7075-T651.
- T6: high strength
- T651: similar strength, stress-relieved to reduce distortion during machining (helpful for precision panels)
If your perforated sheet will be CNC machined, countersunk, or needs tight flatness, T651 is often the safer option.
2) Hole pattern vs. thickness: avoid "weak web" problems
Perforation removes load paths. Two common failure modes are:
- Tearing between holes (ligaments too thin)
- Edge cracking near cutouts/fasteners (insufficient margin)
Practical guidelines to discuss with your supplier:
- Keep adequate edge distance (space from hole pattern to sheet edge)
- Avoid extremely high open area on thin plate if the panel carries load
- If you need both high airflow and strength, consider thicker plate with larger pitch, rather than thin plate with tight spacing
3) How it's made affects quality
For 7075, clean perforations depend on tooling and process:
- Punching is common and economical for volume, but can leave burrs
- Laser can be precise but may introduce heat effects and slower throughput
- Waterjet avoids heat but is slower and typically used for custom/low volume
Ask about:
- Burr direction (important for handling and assembly)
- Deburring options (mechanical deburr, brushing, tumbling)
- Flatness control (especially on larger panels)
4) Corrosion protection: don't skip the finishing plan
7075 has high strength but is generally less corrosion-resistant than 5xxx series. In real-world use, finishing is often what makes it reliable:
- Anodizing (common for protection and appearance)
- Hard anodizing for wear resistance (note: may affect fatigue behavior and tight tolerance fits)
- Primer + paint/powder coating for strong environmental protection
- If dissimilar metals are involved (steel fasteners, carbon fiber), plan for galvanic isolation (washers, coatings, sealants)
Where 7075 perforated aluminum plate sheet shines
- Aerospace/aviation interiors and equipment panels where rigidity matters
- Performance automotive and motorsport: vents, shields, lightweight stiff panels
- High-end industrial enclosures: guarding that stays straight and doesn't "oil can"
- Defense/outdoor equipment where strength-to-weight is a priority
A fast checklist to order the right material
When requesting a quote, specify:
- Alloy/temper: 7075-T6 or 7075-T651
- Thickness (plate/sheet gauge or mm/inch)
- Perforation pattern: hole diameter, pitch, staggered/straight, open area
- Sheet size and tolerances (especially flatness)
- Edge condition: raw, sheared, laser cut, deburred
- Surface/finish: mill finish, anodized, coated
- Intended use: structural panel vs. decorative screen (helps optimize pattern and web strength)
Bottom line
7075 perforated aluminum plate sheet is a performance material disguised as a perforated panel. If you need airflow, visibility, or weight reduction-but still require high rigidity and strength-7075 can deliver results that more common alloys struggle to match. The is treating it like a structural part: choose the right temper, control the ligament strength, and plan corrosion protection from the start.