7068 aluminium alloy is the strongest commercially available aluminium alloy, and comparable to that of some steels. 7068-T6511 has typical ultimate tensile strength of 710 MPa (103 ksi) versus a similar product produced from 7075-T6511 that would have a typical ultimate tensile strength of 640 MPa (93 ksi). Typical yield strength for alloy 7068-T6511 is 683 MPa (99.1 ksi) versus 590 MPa (86 ksi) for a similar product produced from 7075-T6511. Strength allowables for this alloy are provided in Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization (MMPDS) for design.
Contents
The main alloying elements are zinc (7.3-8.3%), magnesium (2.2-3.0%), copper (1.6-2.4%) and zirconium (0.05-0.15%), with traces of silicon, iron, manganese, chromium, titanium.
Uses
Primarily developed for ordnance applications, alloy 7068 is now being used or considered for markets like the aerospace and automotive industries (valve body and connecting rod applications), medical devices, such as prosthetic limbs, as well as recreational products like bicycles and mountain climbing equipment. Most recently, it was discovered that 7068 is used to make the outer encasing of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.
Manufactured by Kaiser USA. Supplied throughout Europe by Smiths Advanced Metals.
Standard specifications
Standard specifications for AL 7068 include: