2024 and 7075 Airplane Aluminum Alloys

GNEE works extensively with high-strength aerospace aluminum alloys such as 7075 and 2024, both of which are known for excellent mechanical properties and good machinability.

While both alloys are widely used in aviation, each has its strengths: 7075 excels in strength, whereas 2024 is more favorable for machining and welding.

Comparison of 2024 and 7075 Aluminum Alloys

Property / Parameter	2024 Aluminum Alloy	7075 Aluminum Alloy
Strength	High, with excellent fatigue resistance	Very high, among the strongest aluminum alloys available
Toughness	Moderate	Low, prone to stress concentration
Weldability	Moderate, suitable with proper techniques	Poor, difficult to weld
Corrosion Resistance	Relatively low, requires protective coating	Low, needs additional protection, high risk in humid environments
Heat Treatment State	T3, T4, T351, T6	T6, T73, T76
Forming Methods	Extrusion, forging, rolling	Extrusion, forging, machining
Aerospace Applications	Fuselage structures, wing beams, wing skins	Wings, fuselage frames, landing gear components

Properties of 2024 and 7075 Aluminum Alloys

2024 Aluminum Alloy

Strength: Exhibits excellent strength and fatigue resistance, often outperforming 7075 in cyclic stress conditions.

Weldability: Moderate; can be welded using proper techniques.

Corrosion Resistance: Limited; coatings or surface protection are required.

Machinability: Easy to machine, suitable for riveting, welding, and manufacturing large structural components.

7075 Aluminum Alloy

Strength: Among the highest-strength aluminum alloys, particularly after heat treatment.

Toughness: Lower than other high-strength alloys, prone to stress concentration.

Corrosion Resistance: Requires protective measures, especially in wet or humid environments.

Machinability: Excellent when properly heat-treated (T6, T73, T76), suitable for complex structural components.

Chemical Composition

2024 Aluminum Alloy

Aluminum: ~90%

Copper (Cu): 3.8–4.9%

Magnesium (Mg): 1.2–1.8%

Manganese (Mn): 0.3–0.9%

Silicon (Si): ≤0.5%

Iron (Fe): ≤0.5%

Other Elements: Each ≤0.05%, total ≤0.15%

7075 Aluminum Alloy

Aluminum: ~90%

Zinc (Zn): 5.1–6.1%

Magnesium (Mg): 2.1–2.9%

Copper (Cu): 1.2–2.0%

Chromium (Cr): 0.18–0.28%

Silicon (Si): ≤0.4%

Iron (Fe): ≤0.5%

Other Elements: Each ≤0.05%, total ≤0.15%

Machining and Forming Methods

2024 Aluminum Alloy

Heat Treatment: Common states include T3, T4, T351, and T6.

Forming Methods: Can be produced via extrusion, forging, or rolling into sheets, profiles, or tubes.

7075 Aluminum Alloy

Heat Treatment: T6, T73, and T76 states enhance strength and mechanical performance.

Forming Methods: Can be shaped into various forms and sizes through extrusion, forging, and machining.

Property / Parameter	2024 Aluminum Alloy	7075 Aluminum Alloy
Heat Treatment State	T3, T4, T351, T6	T6, T73, T76
Heat Treatment Effect	Increases strength and mechanical properties	Significantly improves strength and overall performance
Forming Methods	Extrusion, forging, rolling	Extrusion, forging, machining
Available Product Forms	Sheets, profiles, tubes	Various shapes and sizes