7022 Aluminium Alloy (EN AW-7022) – Composition, Properties and Uses
Aluminium 7022 is an alloy that is known for its excellent strength properties. EN AW-7022 has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is resistant to corrosion and heat. This makes it an ideal material for various applications, from automotive to aerospace components. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the various uses of aluminum 7022 as well as its corrosion resistance, heat resistance, heat treatment process, machining, and welding characteristics.
7022 Aluminium Composition
Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Cr | Zn | Ti | Remark | Other elements |
0,5 | 0,5 | 0,5-1,0 | 0,1-0,4 | 2,6-3,7 | 0,1-0,3 | 4,3-5,2 | – | – | 0,15 |
7022 Aluminium Mechanical Properties
Condition | Nominal thickness | Tensile strength | Plug-in limit | Ultimate elongation | Rigor | ||||
in mm | Rm in MPa | Rp0,2 in MPa | in % (min.) | HBS | |||||
over | up to | min | max | min | max | A50 | A | ||
T6 | 3,0 | 12,5 | 450 | – | 370 | – | 8 | – | 133 |
T651 | 12,5 | 25,0 | 450 | – | 370 | – | – | 8 | 133 |
25,0 | 50,0 | 450 | – | 370 | – | – | 7 | 133 | |
50,0 | 100,0 | 430 | – | 350 | – | – | 5 | 127 | |
100,0 | 200,0 | 410 | – | 330 | – | – | 3 | 121 |
7022 Aluminium Physical Properties
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES | |||
(Guide values for 20° C) | |||
Density of g/cm3 | 2,78 | Resistance to: | |
Solidification range ° C | 485-640 | – Sea water | 5 |
Electrical conductivity MS/m | 19-23 | – Weather conditions | 4 |
Thermal conductivity W/(mK) | 130-160 | Hot formability | |
Therm. linear expansion- | – extrusion presses | 4 | |
Coeffizient 10-6/K | 23,6 | – Drop forging | 4 |
Modulus of elasticity N/mm2 | 70.000 | – Open die forging | 4 |
7022 Aluminium Uses
Aluminium 7022 is primarily used in aircraft manufacturing due to its light weight and ability to withstand high temperatures. It is also used in automotive parts such as pistons and cylinder heads because of its excellent strength properties. Additionally, aluminum 7022 can be found in marine applications such as propellers and rudders due to its corrosion resistance.
Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum 7022 offers excellent corrosion resistance because it contains a high level of magnesium (Mg), which gives the alloy a protective coating on its surface that prevents oxidation. The Mg content also helps reduce the risk of pitting or cracking caused by exposure to salt water or other corrosive elements. Additionally, aluminum 7022 has low porosity, which further contributes to its excellent corrosion resistance properties.
Heat Resistance
Adding Mg gives aluminium 7022 good thermal conductivity, allowing it to perform well under extreme temperatures without losing structural integrity or degrading performance. This makes it an ideal choice for applications with high temperatures, such as jet engines or turbine blades, which are expected. The alloy also maintains good ductility even when exposed to temperatures up to 350°C (662°F).
Heat Treatment
Two types of heat treatment is typically used on aluminum 7022 – solution heat treating and precipitation hardening – both of which improve the mechanical properties of the alloy while maintaining good formability and weldability. Solution heat treating involves heating the alloy above 500°C (932°F) to dissolve alloy components into solution, followed by rapid cooling to form solid solution particles that strengthen the material while maintaining ductility. Precipitation hardening involves heating the alloy between 150°C (302°F) and 200°C (392°F) in order for small amounts of Mg2Si particles to form, followed by cooling at room temperature in order for these particles to grow larger, which increases hardness without sacrificing toughness or ductility.
Machining
Machining aluminium 6061 requires special attention due to the material’s tendency towards work hardening during cutting operations. High-speed steel tools should be used with coolant or lubricant when machining this material in order to prevent excessive tool wear and ensure accurate dimensions are maintained throughout production runs. Additionally, chip breakers should be used whenever possible as they help reduce work hardening and improve overall cutting performance.
Welding
Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is recommended when joining two pieces of aluminum 6061 together because GTAW produces superior welds compared with other welding processes. When welding this material, it’s important that adequate preheating be performed prior to beginning any welding operation in order to prevent cracks from forming due to rapid cooling. It’s also important that proper post-weld heat treatment be performed after welding operations have been completed in order to restore optimum mechanical properties.
Conclusion:
As you can see, there are many uses for Aluminium7022 thanks to its excellent strength properties combined with its corrosion resistance and heat resistance capabilities. Not only does it offer good machinability, but it can also be easily welded together, making it an ideal choice for countless applications requiring strong yet lightweight materials. Whether you’re looking for parts for your car engine or aircraft engine components, Alumnium7022 is likely your best bet! With proper care during machining and welding operations, you can ensure that your product will last longer while providing superior quality performance each time! With all these features combined together, it’s no wonder why so many people choose Aluminum7022 over other materials!
A passionate metal industry expert and blogger. With over 5 years of experience in the field, Palak brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to her writing. Whether discussing the latest trends in the metal industry or sharing tips, she is dedicated to helping others succeed in the metal industry.