Aluminium Alloy 7075 Powder

Overview of aluminium alloy 7075 powder

Aluminium alloy 7075 powder is a precipitation hardening aluminum alloy that consists of aluminum, zinc, magnesium, copper, chromium, titanium, manganese, and other elements in minor amounts. It is considered one of the highest strength aluminum alloys and is widely used in applications that require high strength-to-weight ratio along with good fatigue strength.

Some key details about aluminium alloy 7075 powder:

• Composition – Aluminum base with zinc, magnesium, copper and other alloying elements
• Precipitation hardening type of alloy – Gets its strength from heat treatments
• Very high strength for its weight
• Good fatigue resistance and average machinability
• Common applications include structural parts, aircraft components, molds, etc.
• Available in various powder size ranges for use in additive manufacturing

Table 1: Composition of Aluminium Alloy 7075 Powder

aluminium alloy 7075 powder Properties and Characteristics

Aluminium alloy 7075 powder offers an exceptional combination of high strength and low density. Some of its key properties and characteristics are:

Table 2: Properties of Aluminium Alloy 7075 Powder

Some additional characteristics of the 7075 aluminium powder:

• Excellent strength-to-weight ratio and high specific strength
• Good toughness and fatigue resistance
• Prone to stress corrosion cracking in certain tempers
• Susceptible to deterioration by elevated temperatures
• Machines easily in fully annealed state, poor machinability in hardened tempers
• Forging requires preheating; hot working must be done between 400-510°C
• Can be easily welded by gas welding, arc welding and resistance welding methods

Table 3: Applications and Uses of Aluminium Alloy 7075 Powder

Specifications and Grades

Aluminium alloy 7075 powder is available under various standard specifications and tempers based on mechanical properties, heat treatment condition, etc.

Table 4: Specifications and Grades of Aluminium Alloy 7075 Powder

The common tempers include:

• F – As fabricated, no treatment
• O – Annealed state, lowest strength
• T6 – Heat treated and artificially aged to peak strength
• T651 – Stress relieved and artificially aged variant of T6
• Various other tempers available

Table 5: Size Ranges and Powder Sizes Available

Suppliers and Pricing

Aluminium alloy 7075 powder is readily available from many suppliers in various size ranges suitable for different additive manufacturing processes. Some example pricing ranges are given below for reference.

Table 6: Example Suppliers of Aluminium Alloy 7075 Powder

Table 7: Example Pricing of Standard Grade Aluminium Alloy 7075 Powder

• Pricing varies based on quantity ordered, exact size ranges and supplier selected. May be higher for higher purity or special grades.

Comparison

Table 8: Comparison of 7075 Aluminium Alloy with other Aluminium Alloys

Advantages and Limitations

Table 9: Advantages and Limitations of Aluminium Alloy 7075 Powder

FAQs

Q: What makes 7075 aluminium alloy so strong compared to other aluminium alloys?

A: Alloy 7075 derives its exceptionally high strength from precipitation hardening heat treatments. Fine particles of transition phases like MgZn2 and Al2CuMg precipitate inside the aluminium matrix during aging and hinder dislocation motion, drastically increasing strength.

Q: Why is 7075 aluminium preferred for aerospace applications compared to other 2xxx or 6xxx alloys?

A: The 7075 aluminium alloy offers the best combination of high strength, good fracture toughness and excellent fatigue strength. This makes it well suited for demanding aerospace parts exposed to dynamic loads. It also offers higher strength in thick sections.

Q: Does aluminium alloy 7075 powder require any special storage or handling precautions?

A: Yes, aluminium alloy powders can be explosive if dispersed in air. Ensure proper grounding and venting during powder handling. Store sealed containers in cool, dry area away from sparks, flames and other ignition sources. Take standard precautions for handling fine metal powders.

Q: What are some examples of 7075 aluminium alloy powder applications in additive manufacturing?

A: Some common AM applications include printing lightweight aerospace and automotive components, high strength marine products like propellers, molds and dies for plastic injection molding, robotic arms, UAV components, mountain bike parts, etc.

Q: What size powder is preferred for DMLS 3D printing of aluminium alloy 7075 parts?

A: A particle size range of 15-45 microns is typically recommended for DMLS printing to enable good powder flow and high density. However, parameters depend on the specific 3D printer model and laser power.

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