7050 Aluminum

An alloy which has been around for decades, 7050 aluminum plate is best known for its ability to stay strong over time. Although other alloys are available which are stronger on a one-off comparison basis, they do not necessarily demonstrate the longevity which the 7050 products can offer. Widely used in the aerospace industry, 7050 T7451 aluminum plate is suitable for uses where minimal maintenance and consistent, optimal strength is required. It is commonly used in bulkheads, fuselage frames and similar aircraft components.

7000 series Aluminum alloys have been the preferred choice for aerospace and aircraft applications ever since the introduction of commercial aircraft building in the post WWII era. Offering designers very high strength, low manufacturing costs, and a low replacing risk, the 7xxx series are alloys of choice in applications where strength is the primary requirement.

Alloy 7050 aluminum plates are now more commonly used for aerospace applications than 7075, especially in the 3-6 inch thickness range, due to its retention of strength in thicker sections. At Howard Precision Metals, we stock 7050 T7451 (AMS 4050) which provides better SCC resistance and excellent exfoliation resistance at slightly lower levels than that of 7050 T7651(AMS 4342). In addition, 7050 T7451 exhibits better toughness, corrosion resistance, and stress corrosion cracking resistance than alloy 7075. Since it is less quench sensitive than most other aerospace alloys, 7050 maintains its strength properties better than other high strength alloys in the thicker sections and also machines more consistently throughout the thickness of the heavier gauges. With these characteristics, it is no wonder why 7075 T7451 is the premium choice for applications in the aerospace and aircraft industries such as: bulkheads, fuselage frames, and wing skins.

Howard Precision Metals stocks primarily Kaiser Select Aerospace plate. Kaiser Select Aerospace is touted for having superior machining performance, consistent grain control throughout the thickness, and lower residual stress. In addition, the Kaiser product maintains exceptional flatness and lot to lot consistency due to their highly automated manufacturing process.

Niche Providers of 7050 Aluminum

Howard Precision Metals is a 100% aluminum distributor. With over ninety years of successful metals distributorship under our belt, you can rest assured that your aluminum order, no matter how big or small, will be filled correctly and timely by the aluminum experts at Howard Precision Metals. Over the years, not only have we acquired an enormous wealth of knowledge regarding the properties of aluminum and how it can be best worked to fit the needs of our customers, we have also continued to update and refine our machinery. Today we are able to procure premium 7050 aluminum plate in a variety of different thicknesses. In addition, using our custom-built, high-speed precision aluminum saws, we are able to saw cut 7050 aluminum plate into almost any dimension and hold tolerances as tight as ±.005”. For even the toughest aluminum requirements, we will get the job done!

How to Purchase 7050 Aluminum

You can purchase Alloy 7050 by filling out a Request for Quote form. If you’re interested in more information on Alloy 7050, you can download our Alloy 7050 brochure available in PDF format.

Click here to see a full listing of our 7050 randoms and drops. We are adding more thicknesses of 7050 regularly based on customer demand.

FAQ

7050 aluminum is an alloy that has been tested by time. It is highly regarded for its strength that it maintains even after a long period of time. Its consistent strength and longevity combined with the minimal maintenance it requires has made it a powerhouse as well as the top choice of alloys in a few specific industries.
The aerospace and aircraft industries have been utilizing 7050 aluminum plates since the post-World War II era. Their It’s reliable strength and durability make them 7050 a great choice for fuselage and bulkheads.
7050 aluminum plates have been the number one choice for decades due to their optimal levels of high strength, coupled with high resistance to exfoliation corrosion and stress-corrosion cracking, high fracture toughness, and fatigue resistance. This leads to applications in aircraft structures.
Unlike 7075, alloy 7050 aluminum has a high levels of resistance to corrosion which eventually causes pitting, then cracks in other alloys. When also subject to high stress over long periods of time, the cracking can propagate along the grain lines causing stress corrosion cracking. 7050 has much better resistance to this and is why it perform better than other alloys such as 7075 aluminum.
7050 aluminum has been contributing to the aerospace manufacturing supply chain ever since commercial aircraft building became more mainstream in the years after World War II. 7050 aluminum plates have low manufacturing costs and can be relied upon to retain their strength and durability even after years of high-stress usage. Because of this, they have long been the ideal choice for use in fuselage frames, bulkheads, and more.