7075 Aluminium Alloy Powder

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Overview of 7075 Aluminium Alloy Powder

7075 aluminium alloy powder is a strong, hard-wearing aluminium alloy powder commonly used in high-stress aerospace and defence applications. It has high strength-to-density ratio, good fatigue strength, average machinability, and excellent corrosion resistance.

Key properties and applications of 7075 aluminium alloy powder:

Properties Details
Composition Aluminium, zinc, magnesium, copper, chromium, iron, silicon, manganese, titanium, other elements
Strength Very high strength
Hardness High hardness
Density Low density (2.81 g/cm3)
Corrosion Resistance Excellent in various environments
Major Applications Aircraft structures, defence equipment, marine fittings, high-stress parts

7075 aluminium gets its high strength from precipitation hardening heat treatment. It is weldable but loses some strength during welding. It has lower fracture toughness than other aluminium alloys.

7075 aluminium alloy powder

Types of 7075 Aluminium Alloy Powder

7075 aluminium alloy powder is available in various types:

Type Characteristics
Atomized powder Spherical powder produced by atomization process, good flowability
Gas atomized powder Made by inert gas atomization, very spherical, high purity
Water atomized powder Irregular shape, high oxygen content
Plasma atomized powder Very spherical, smooth surface, high purity
Milled powder Irregular shape from mechanical milling

Gas atomized and plasma atomized powders have more uniform particle size distribution and shape ideal for additive manufacturing. Water atomized and milled powder is cheaper but has less sphericity.

Applications and Uses of 7075 Aluminium Powder

Key applications of 7075 aluminium alloy powder include:

Application Uses
Aerospace Aircraft fuselages, wings, fittings, fasteners, gears, valves
Defence Armoured vehicles, weapons, protective equipment
Automotive Wheels, transmission parts, pistons, valves, drivetrain
Marine Boat hulls, fittings, propellers, deck hardware
Additive manufacturing 3D printing of complex, lightweight parts
Machining High-speed CNC machining into complex shapes

7075’s high strength, hardness and fatigue resistance allow it to withstand heavy loads in structural parts for aircraft, vehicles, boats etc. It resists corrosion in marine environments. Its lightweight properties provide fuel savings. It can be 3D printed into complex shapes not possible with casting or machining.

Specifications and Design Standards for 7075 Alloy Powder

Key specifications and design standards for 7075 aluminium alloy powder include:

Specification Details
Alloying elements Zinc 5.1-6.1%, Magnesium 2.1-2.9%, Copper 1.2-2.0%, Iron 0.5% max, Si 0.4% max, Mn 0.3% max
Density 2.81 g/cm3
Melting point Approx. 475°C
Strength Tensile 510-540 MPa, Yield strength 430-505 MPa
Hardness Brinell 150
Elongation 11%
Shear strength 330 MPa
Fatigue strength 159 MPa
Thermal conductivity 130 W/m-K
Designation UNS A97075, Aluminium Association 7075, ISO Al Zn5.5MgCu
Applicable standards AMS 4045, AMS 4127, ASTM B918, ISO 16220, NF L 16-720

Key specifications like alloy composition, mechanical properties, design standards should be reviewed to ensure procurement of high quality 7075 powder for production use.

Suppliers and Pricing of 7075 Aluminium Alloy Powder

Some leading global suppliers of 7075 aluminium alloy powder include:

Supplier Description Price Range
Alpoco Gas atomized, high purity $50-$150/kg
Rusal Plasma atomized, for 3D printing $75-$250/kg
Valimet Inc. Different size distributions $30-$100/kg
Makin Metal Powders Water atomized, economic $20-$60/kg
Sandvik Custom alloys and particle sizes $100-$500/kg

Prices vary based on powder shape, size range, gas atomization, specialty alloys, and order volume. Small lab quantities of specialty powder can cost over $500/kg. Bulk volumes of water atomized powder can cost as low as $20/kg.

Installation, Operation and Maintenance of 7075 Powder Production Equipment

Key aspects for installation, operation and maintenance for 7075 aluminium alloy powder production equipment:

Activity Guidelines
Installation Ensure proper grounding, vacuum lines, water cooling, gas lines, safety devices, ventilation. Follow OEM manuals.
Operation Operate within recommended parameters of temperature, pressure, flow rates. Ensure gas purity, proper feeds.
Maintenance Regularly inspect and replace wear items like nozzles, o-rings, valves. Check drive motors and pumps. Monitor analyzers.
Powder handling Ensure proper powder sieving, storage in sealed containers, movement minimizes oxygen exposure.
Safety Wear PPE, ensure gas line integrity, establish SOPs for pressurized systems. Provide fire suppression.
Training Train operators on startup, shutdown, safety, troubleshooting. Emphasize powder flammability risks.

Proper installation, operation and maintenance as per OEM guidelines ensures maximum powder production, quality and safety. Personnel training is key.

How to Select 7075 Aluminium Powder Suppliers

Key factors in selecting suppliers of 7075 aluminium alloy powder:

Parameter Guidelines
Powder manufacturing process Match process like gas atomization to application needs
Composition compliance Alloy composition meets required standards
Particle size distribution Distribution meets product requirements
Sphericity and flowability Powder shape and flow properties suitable for usage
Lot testing data Review test reports for critical powder properties
Sampling Ask for samples to conduct evaluation tests
Certifications Manufacturer should have ISO 9001 certification
R&D capabilities Custom alloy development, enhancements
Customer service Responsiveness to inquiries, proactive updates
Production capacity Ability to fulfill volume requirements
Pricing Competitive pricing for product specifications
Terms and lead time Acceptable payment terms and lead time

Carefully evaluating multiple suppliers on these parameters ensures selection of the optimal 7075 powder provider.

7075 aluminium alloy powder

Pros and Cons of 7075 Aluminium Alloy Powder

Advantages Disadvantages
Very high strength for low weight Lower fracture toughness than other alloys
Excellent fatigue strength Susceptible to stress corrosion cracking
Good machinability and corrosion resistance Difficult to weld, requires special procedures
Used for highly stressed aerospace parts Expensive compared to lower strength alloys
Can be precipitation hardened to high strengths Powder production requires controlled processes
Can be 3D printed into complex shapes Sensitive to quenching rate during heat treatment

Key advantages of 7075 powder like high strength and fatigue resistance make it suitable for aircraft and defence applications despite disadvantages like lower toughness and weldability.

7075 aluminium alloy powder

FAQ

Q: What is 7075 aluminium alloy powder used for?

A: 7075 aluminium powder is commonly used to make high-strength structural parts for aircraft, defence equipment, and other critical applications where strength and fatigue resistance are paramount.

Q: What manufacturing processes use 7075 aluminium powder?

A: Key processes using 7075 powder include additive manufacturing/3D printing, metal injection molding, spray deposition, powder forging and other powder metallurgy techniques.

Q: What are the contents of 7075 aluminium alloy?

A: 7075 aluminium contains about 90% aluminium along with alloying elements like 5-6% zinc, 2-3% magnesium, 1-2% copper, and traces of silicon, iron, manganese, chromium and other metals.

Q: Is 7075 aluminium powder weldable?

A: Yes, 7075 aluminium can be welded but needs controlled procedures to minimize strength loss in the weld zone and susceptibility to cracking. Proper filler material selection is important.

Q: What are the alternatives to 7075 aluminium alloy powder?

A: Alternatives include 2024, 6061, and 7050 aluminium alloys. 2024 offers better toughness while 6061 trades some strength for better corrosion resistance vs 7075.

Q: What safety precautions are needed when handling 7075 aluminium powder?

A: Key precautions include avoiding all ignition sources, proper grounding of equipment, appropriate respiratory protection, and explosion-proof powder handling equipment. Powder flammability risks must be controlled.

Q: Does additive manufacturing use 7075 aluminium alloy?

A: Yes, 7075 is a popular alloy powder for high-end metal 3D printing when high strength and heat resistance is needed but powder costs are justified. Printing parameters must be optimized to get full properties.

Q: How should 7075 aluminium powder be stored?

A: 7075 powder should be stored in sealed containers in a cool, dry environment to prevent oxidation and contamination from moisture. Desiccant bags can be added to containers to absorb moisture. Proper first-in-first-out (FIFO) stock rotation should be used.

Q: What is the cost of 7075 aluminium alloy powder?

A: Prices can range from $20-500/kg depending on powder shape, size distribution, manufacturing method, order quantity and other factors. Small R&D quantities are most expensive while bulk orders of simple water atomized powder are cheapest.

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