7075 vs. 2024 Aluminum Alloys: Performance Showdown

In high-performance aluminum alloys, 7075 aluminum and 2024 aluminum are frequently compared due to their outstanding mechanical properties and wide use in aerospace and engineering applications. While 7075 aluminum is primarily alloyed with zinc, 2024 aluminum consists mainly of aluminum (around 90–95%) combined with copper. Both alloys offer strong fatigue resistance but differ in heat treatment behavior and application focus.

Below is a detailed comparison of 7075 aluminum vs. 2024 aluminum, covering properties, tempers, compositions, and applications, as supplied by GNEE, a professional aluminum materials provider.

7075 aluminum has a density of approximately 2.81 g/cm³. Its mechanical performance varies significantly depending on the temper condition, meaning different tempers deliver different strengths, ductility, and thermal characteristics.

7075-O aluminum exhibits a tensile strength of about 280 MPa and a yield strength of roughly 140 MPa, with elongation ranging between 9 and 10%, indicating good ductility. This temper offers excellent corrosion resistance and moderate strength, making it acceptable for applications where formability is prioritized.

For thinner sections (1.59 mm), elongation can reach 17%, while thicker sections (12.7 mm) typically show elongation around 16%. The alloy has a shear modulus of 26.9 GPa and a shear strength of 152 MPa.

7075 Airplane Aluminum Alloys

Additional properties include:

Electrical resistivity: 0.00000380 ohm·cm

Specific heat capacity: 0.96 J/g·°C

Annealing temperature: 413°C

Solution heat treatment range: 466–482°C

Thermal conductivity: 173 W/m·K

7075 aluminum primarily consists of aluminum, with small amounts of zinc, chromium, copper, magnesium, iron, and manganese.

The 7075-T6 temper delivers significantly higher strength through solution heat treatment and artificial aging. It features:

Brinell hardness: ~150

Elastic modulus: 70 GPa

Ultimate tensile strength: ~560 MPa

Yield strength: ~480 MPa

Elongation at break: ~7.9%

Fatigue strength: ~160 MPa

Thermal and electrical properties include:

Melting onset (solidus): 480°C

Thermal conductivity: 130 W/m·K

Specific heat capacity: 870 J/kg·K

Electrical conductivity: 98% IACS (equal weight) and 33% IACS (equal volume)

These balanced properties make 7075-T6 a preferred choice for demanding structural applications.

7075-T651 aluminum offers mechanical performance similar to T6 but with added stress relief. Typical values include

Ultimate tensile strength: ~570 MPa

Yield strength: ~500 MPa

Elongation at break: 3–9%

Strength and elongation vary with material source and plate thickness, making material selection a critical factor for dimensional stability and performance.

7075-T7 aluminum is produced through heat treatment followed by artificial over-aging to improve stability. It ranks second among 7075 tempers in ductility and has an elastic modulus of 70 GPa.

Key properties include:

Shear strength: 320 MPa

Shear modulus: 26 GPa

Poisson's ratio: 0.32

Elongation at break: ~9.3%

Fatigue strength: 160 MPa

Thermal characteristics:

Latent heat of fusion: 380 J/g

Maximum service temperature: 200°C

Specific heat capacity: 870 J/kg·K

Melting point: 640°C

7075 aluminum supplied by GNEE is widely used in:

Aerospace and defense components

High-end bicycle parts

Gliders

Meter gears and fuse components

Missile parts

Worm gears

Aircraft fittings

Regulating valve components

Contact now

Properties of 2024 Aluminum

2024 aluminum is available in multiple tempers with similar overall characteristics but varying strength and ductility.

2024-O aluminum consists mainly of aluminum, with alloying elements such as copper, magnesium, manganese, chromium, and iron. It features:

Ultimate tensile strength: ~186 MPa

Yield strength: ~75.8 MPa

Elongation at break: 20% (1.6 mm thickness), up to 22% (12.7 mm thickness)

Machinability: ~30%

Fatigue strength: ~89.6 MPa

Shear modulus: 28 GPa

Shear strength: 124 MPa

Additional properties:

Melting range: 502–638°C

Thermal conductivity: 193 W/m·K

Annealing temperature: 413°C

Solution temperature: 256°C

2024-T3 aluminum contains up to 94.7% aluminum and has a density of 2.78 g/cm³. Mechanical properties include:

Ultimate tensile strength: ~483 MPa

Yield strength: ~345 MPa

Elongation: ≥18%

Elastic modulus: 73.1 GPa

Ultimate bearing strength: 855 MPa

Bearing yield strength: 524 MPa

Other characteristics:

Machinability: ~70%

Thermal conductivity: 121 W/m·K

Fatigue strength: 138 MPa

Shear strength: 283 MPa

Specific heat capacity: 0.875 J/g·°C

This temper is commonly used for fasteners, missile components, couplings, and fuse parts.

2024-T4 aluminum exhibits:

Ultimate tensile strength: 395–579 MPa

Yield strength: 260–421 MPa

Its properties closely resemble those of 2024-T351, allowing the two to be used interchangeably. Additional features include:

Thermal conductivity: 121 W/m·K

Melting range: 502–638°C

Electrical resistivity: 0.00000582 ohm·cm

Machinability: ~70%

Shear modulus: 28 GPa

Shear strength: 283 MPa

Typical applications include aircraft fittings, pistons, missile parts, and rectifier components.

2024 aluminum from GNEE is commonly used in:

Aircraft fuselage and wing structures

Aircraft fittings

Truck wheels

Industrial hardware

Hydraulic manifolds

Transportation components

Aluminum: >90%

Zinc: 5.1–6.1%

Copper: 1.2–2.0%

Iron: ≤0.5%

Silicon: ≤0.4%

Manganese: ≤0.3%

Titanium: ≤0.2%

Other elements: ≤0.15%

Aluminum: 90.7–94.7%

Copper: 3.8–4.9%

Magnesium: 1.2–1.8%

Manganese: 0.3–0.9%

Iron: ≤0.5%

Silicon: ≤0.5%

Zinc: ≤0.25%

Titanium: ≤0.15%

Chromium: ≤0.1%

Both 7075 aluminum and 2024 aluminum are highly valued in aerospace due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratios. Precipitation hardening is often applied to further enhance strength, raising tensile and yield strengths to approximately 83,000 psi and 73,000 psi, respectively.

These alloys also provide excellent stress–strain performance and fatigue resistance, making them ideal for aerospace and defense applications. While both share similarities, differences in composition and mechanical behavior influence alloy selection based on specific performance requirements.

Through continuous development and surface treatments, GNEE supplies both alloys to meet demanding aerospace, marine, and high-performance engineering needs.

2024 and 7075 Airplane Aluminum Alloys