Aluminum 7017 · temper
Aluminum 7017-T6
Properties of the T6 condition, compared with the other 7017 tempers.
Peak-strength temper for structural plate and armour; highest strength but the most SCC/exfoliation sensitive.
What is 7017-T6?
7017-T6 is 7017 in the T6 temper — peak-strength temper for structural plate and armour; highest strength but the most SCC/exfoliation sensitive. 7017-T6 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 88% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi). 7017-T6 has a density of 2.78 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of aluminum grades. It melts at 590°C (1,094 °F).
Advantages
- High strength — 400 MPa (58 ksi), better than 88% of aluminum grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 31 MPa·√m (28.2 ksi·√in), better than 80% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 79% of aluminum grades
7017-T6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 7017-T6 — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 7017 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
7017-T6 has a density of 2.78 g/cm³ (0.1 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of aluminum grades. It melts at 590°C (1,094 °F).
Mechanical12
7017-T6 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 88% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal6
7017-T6 is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 138 W/m·K (79.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 55% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
7017-T6 conducts electricity at 32 % IACS, worse than 63% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 69% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 7017-T6 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
7017-T6's machinability is good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 7017 tempers and conditions
7017 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 7017 overview.
- T6Peak-strength temper for structural plate and armour; highest strength but the most SCC/exfoliation sensitive.400 MPa yield · 140 HB
- T651Standard supply condition for 7017 armour and structural plate: T6 strength with low residual stress for flat, stable machined parts.390 MPa yield · 138 HB
- T73Choose when stress-corrosion cracking or exfoliation risk governs (marine, thick sections, sustained tensile stress), accepting ~10 % lower strength.350 MPa yield · 128 HB
- T7351Best combination for thick machined structures: SCC-resistant overaged microstructure with low residual stress and good toughness.340 MPa yield · 126 HB
- T4Intermediate-strength, more formable condition; also represents the naturally re-aged strength recovered in weld HAZ.250 MPa yield · 105 HB
- OSoftest condition for maximum cold forming or deep drawing before solution treatment and ageing.110 MPa yield · 65 HB
Working with 7017-T6
Is 7017 easy to machine?
Machines well in T6/T651 with sharp carbide tools, high speeds and generous coolant; chips are short and finishes are good, but relieve residual stress (T651/T7351) before heavy asymmetric machining to avoid distortion.
Can 7017 be welded?
Its selling point — MIG/TIG weldable with 5356 or 5183 filler; the HAZ naturally re-ages to a large fraction of parent strength, but avoid restrained joints and consider post-weld ageing/overageing to limit HAZ stress-corrosion cracking.
Can 7017 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T4; peak-aged plate has limited bend ductility (use generous bend radii, warm forming or form-then-age).
What surface finishes work on 7017?
Anodizes and paints well after proper deoxidising; clear anodic films tend slightly grey, and chromate-free primers plus paint are standard for armour and marine service.
7017 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Fe | ≤ 0.45 | — |
| Cumax; essentially Cu-free to keep weldability | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Mn | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mg | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Crmax; limit varies between standard editions | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Zn | 4 – 5.2 | 4.6 |
| Zrgrain-structure/recrystallisation control | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.16 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Others (each)0.15 total | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
7017-T6 — frequently asked
What is 7017-T6 used for?
7017-T6 is typically used for armour plate for military vehicles, combat vehicle hulls, welded military structures, rail vehicle structures, high-strength welded plate assemblies and military bridging and shelter structures. In short: armor plate alloy.
What is the yield strength of 7017-T6?
7017-T6 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — stronger than 88% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 7017-T6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 62% of aluminum grades). Machines well in T6/T651 with sharp carbide tools, high speeds and generous coolant; chips are short and finishes are good, but relieve residual stress (T651/T7351) before heavy asymmetric machining to avoid distortion.
Can 7017-T6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Its selling point — MIG/TIG weldable with 5356 or 5183 filler; the HAZ naturally re-ages to a large fraction of parent strength, but avoid restrained joints and consider post-weld ageing/overageing to limit HAZ stress-corrosion cracking.
What surface finishes work on 7017-T6?
Anodizes and paints well after proper deoxidising; clear anodic films tend slightly grey, and chromate-free primers plus paint are standard for armour and marine service.
Can 7017-T6 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in O or T4; peak-aged plate has limited bend ductility (use generous bend radii, warm forming or form-then-age).
What is the maximum service temperature of 7017-T6?
7017-T6 is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 7017-T6?
Yes — 7017-T6 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 573-3 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Chemical composition (EN AW-7017) — CEN (2019)
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum Alloys (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 485-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Sheet, strip and plate: mechanical properties — CEN (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (aluminium alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- Published research and producer data on 7017 armour-grade aluminium plate — various (peer-reviewed literature) (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.