Aluminium Alloy 7050 Powder

aluminium alloy 7050 powder is a high-strength aerospace alloy also available in powder form for additive manufacturing and other powder metallurgy applications. With zinc and magnesium as primary alloyants, this 7xxx series alloy demonstrates superior mechanical properties ideal for critical structural components.

Overview of aluminium alloy 7050 powder

Property	Description
Alloy	AA7050
UNS Number	A97050
EN Designation	EN AW-7050
Primary Alloying Elements	Zinc (Zn), Magnesium (Mg), Copper (Cu)
Strength	High strength-to-weight ratio
Tensile Strength	Up to 570 MPa (T651 temper)
Yield Strength	Up to 500 MPa (T651 temper)
Fracture Toughness	Around 33 MPa√m (T7351 temper)
Fatigue Strength	About 310 MPa at 107 cycles (T7351 temper)
Corrosion Resistance	Good
Thermal Conductivity	High
Machinability	Good
Applications
Aerospace	Structural airframe components, landing gear, rockets https://am-material.com/news/7050-aluminium-alloy-powder-in-3d-printing/
Automotive	Wheels, control arms, drivetrain parts https://am-material.com/news/7050-aluminium-alloy-powder-in-3d-printing/
Industrial	Robotics, tooling jigs and fixtures, instrumentation https://am-material.com/news/7050-aluminium-alloy-powder-in-3d-printing/
Marine	Propellers, drive shafts, pumps, valves https://am-material.com/news/7050-aluminium-alloy-powder-in-3d-printing/
Powder Production Methods	Gas atomization, plasma atomization, cryomilling https://am-material.com/news/7050-aluminium-alloy-powder-in-3d-printing/

Types of Aluminium 7050 Powder

Based on production method and characteristics, common Al7050 powder varieties include:

Type	Description	Particle Size	Morphology	Apparent Density
Gas atomized	Inert gas atomization provides spherical powder	15-45 μm	Rounded	∼1.6 g/cc
Water atomized	Water breaking up of melt forms irregular particles	15-100 μm	Jagged, porous	∼1.2 g/cc
Plasma atomized	Smooth, spherical nano-to-micron powder from plasma	5-45 μm	Very spherical	∼2 g/cc
Mechanical alloyed	High-energy ball milling blendes and refines powder	15-100 μm	Jagged, composite particles	∼1.8 g/cc

Based on final application method, suitable grade is chosen. Smaller sizes below 100 microns allow better powder bed densities and printing resolution.

Composition of aluminium alloy 7050 powder

As an aerospace structural alloy, 7050 composition is:

Element	Weight %	Role
Zinc	5.7 – 6.7%	Major alloying element, improves strength through precipitation
Magnesium	1.9 – 2.6%	Strengthening element, forms MgZn2 precipitates
Copper	2.0 – 2.6%	Helps fine-tune mechanical properties
Iron	≤0.15%	Impurity level, kept low
Silicon	≤0.12%	Impurity element
Chromium	≤0.04%	Present only as trace impurity
Manganese	≤0.05%	Kept low as impurity
Aluminum	Balance	Base element

intentional additions of silver, lithium or other elements are sometimes used to modify powder characteristics.

aluminium alloy 7050 powder Properties

Key properties of Al7050 alloy powder suitable for additive manufacturing:

Physical Properties

Property	Value
Density	2.83 g/cm<sup>3</sup>
Melting Point	∼635°C
Thermal Conductivity	130 W/m-K
Specific Heat Capacity	0.88 J/g-K
Electrical Resistivity	∼4.5 μΩ-cm
CTE	23 μm/m-K
Color	Dark gray to black

Low density coupled with strength makes Al7050 suited for aerospace and aviation sectors enabling weight savings.

Mechanical Properties

Property	As-printed	Heat-treated
Tensile Strength	≥450 MPa	≥570 MPa
Yield Strength	≥400 MPa	≥500 MPa
Elongation	∼8%	∼10%
Hardness	∼150 VPN	∼195 VPN
Fatigue Strength	100 MPa	230 MPa

Controlled low-stress heat treatment develops optimal precipitation microstructure enhancing mechanical performance.

Performance Attributes

Parameter	Value	Unit
Strength-to-weight ratio	High	MPa/(g/cm<sup>3</sup>)
Stiffness-to-weight ratio	High	GPa/(g/cm<sup>3</sup>)
Corrosion Resistance	Good	–
Weldability	Fair	–
Conductivity	Excellent	%IACS
High temperature performance	Good	–

These characteristics make Al7050 suitable for commercial and defense aerospace applications.

Production of aluminium alloy 7050 powder

Process	Description
Atomization	Molten 7050 alloy is fed into the atomizer. Inert gas (typically nitrogen) or plasma jet is used to break up the liquid metal into fine droplets. Droplets rapidly solidify into spherical powder particles due to the high surface area to volume ratio. Various techniques exist, including: Gas Atomization (GA) – Most common method for 7050 powder production. Plasma Atomization (PA) – Offers finer particle size control.
Milling	Optional step to further refine particle size and morphology, typically used for powders produced by GA. Mechanical milling uses grinding media to achieve the desired particle characteristics. Cryomilling – A specialized milling process conducted at low temperatures to minimize oxidation and improve powder flow.
Sieving/Classification	Powder is separated into specific size fractions using sieves or classifiers. Ensures consistent particle size distribution for optimal flow and packing in Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes.
Mixing (Optional)	Blending powders from different batches to achieve uniform chemistry and properties.
Quality Control	Powder is rigorously tested to ensure it meets strict specifications for: Chemical composition Particle size distribution Morphology (shape) Flowability Moisture content Oxygen content

Key Powder Characteristics	Description	Importance for AM
Particle Size Distribution	Distribution of powder particle sizes.	Affects packing density, flowability, and final part properties. Typically desired range for 7050 AM is 15-63 microns.
Morphology	Shape of the powder particles.	Spherical particles offer better flowability and packing compared to irregular shapes.
Alloy Composition	Specific percentages of elements in the powder.	Determines the mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and other characteristics of the final part. 7050 powder typically contains Zinc (6%), Magnesium (2%), Copper (2.3%) as key alloying elements.
Apparent Density	Bulk density of the powder.	Impacts the final density of the printed part.
Flowability	Ease with which powder flows.	Measured by Hall flow rate. Crucial for uniform layer formation in AM processes.
Moisture Content	Amount of moisture absorbed by the powder.	Minimizes powder oxidation during storage and AM processing. Typically below 0.1% for 7050 powder.

Applications of aluminium alloy 7050 powder

Applications	Properties desired
Aerospace (including aircraft structures, landing gear, and spacecraft components)	High strength, fracture toughness, fatigue strength
Automotive (including wheels, engine components, and body panels)	High strength, light weight
Sporting goods (including baseball bats, bicycle frames, and golf clubs)	High strength, good fatigue resistance
Military applications (including armor, weapons, and vehicles)	High strength, weldability
Molding and tooling (due to its good dimensional stability and wear resistance)	Dimensional stability, wear resistance
Electronics (due to its good electrical conductivity)	Electrical conductivity
Cryogenic applications (due to its good low-temperature strength)	Low-temperature strength
Marine applications (due to its good corrosion resistance)	Corrosion resistance
Medical applications (due to its biocompatibility)	Biocompatibility
Construction (due to its high strength-to-weight ratio)	High strength-to-weight ratio

aluminium alloy 7050 powder Specifications

Aluminum Alloy 7050 Powder Specifications

Property	Description	Typical Value	Units
Chemical Composition	Aluminum alloy 7050 powder is a high-strength aluminum alloy containing several key elements in specific proportions.	Aluminum (Al): Balance Zinc (Zn): 5.7 – 6.7% Magnesium (Mg): 2.0 – 2.6% Copper (Cu): 2.0 – 2.5% Other elements (Si, Fe, Mn, Cr, Ti, Zr): ≤ 0.15% total	wt%
Particle Morphology	The shape and surface characteristics of the powder particles influence their flowability, packing density, and printability.	Spherical or near-spherical
Particle Size Distribution	The size of the powder particles plays a crucial role in determining the surface finish, mechanical properties, and overall quality of the final printed part.	Typically offered in a range of sizes, such as 15-45 μm, 45-100 μm, or 100-150 μm. Narrower size distributions may be desired for specific applications.	μm
Apparent Density	This refers to the bulk density of the powder, considering the spaces between particles.	Approximately 2.6 – 2.8 g/cm³	g/cm³
Tap Density	Tap density represents the density of the powder after a standardized tapping process to minimize voids.	Slightly higher than apparent density, typically around 3.0 – 3.2 g/cm³	g/cm³
Flowability	Good flowability is essential for even powder deposition in additive manufacturing processes.	Spherical morphology and appropriate particle size distribution contribute to good flowability.
Mechanical Properties (wrought equivalent)	While the exact properties can vary depending on the manufacturing process and post-processing techniques, 7050 aluminum powder generally offers excellent mechanical properties comparable to wrought (bulk) 7050 aluminum.	Yield Strength: 415 – 475 MPa Tensile Strength: 500 – 570 MPa Elongation: 12 – 18%	MPa, %

Grades

Per MPIF 35 standards based on particle size:

Grade	Particle Size
Ultrafine	1 – 20 μm
Very Fine	15 – 45 μm
Fine	25 – 75 μm
Relatively Coarse	53 – 105 μm

Ultrafine and very fine Al7050 suitable for laser-based fusion.

Standards

• ASTM B233 – Standard for Aluminum Powder and Flake for Thermal Spraying
• MPIF 35 – Standard for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Powders
• ISO 22053 – Determination of particle size of metal powders used for additive manufacturing

Pricing of aluminium alloy 7050 powder

Representative pricing, 2023:

Grade	Price
Ultrafine	$45 – $55 per kg
Very Fine	$35 – $50 per kg
Fine	$18 – $35 per kg
Coarse	$12 – $25 per kg

Higher sphericity, smaller and narrow distribution powder sizes command premium pricing.

Pros and Cons of Aluminum Alloy 7050 Powder

Pros	Cons
High Strength: Aluminum alloy 7050 powder boasts excellent strength properties, exceeding those of other commonly used aluminum alloys for additive manufacturing like 6061 or 7075. This makes it suitable for applications requiring high load-bearing capacity, such as aerospace components or structural parts.	Limited Ductility: Compared to some other aluminum alloys, 7050 powder exhibits lower ductility, meaning it has a reduced ability to deform plastically before fracture. This can be a drawback for applications requiring some degree of flexibility or bendability.
Good Corrosion Resistance: 7050 aluminum powder offers good resistance to corrosion, particularly for applications involving saltwater environments. The presence of zinc and magnesium in the alloy contributes to this enhanced corrosion performance.	Post-Processing Requirements: To achieve the optimal mechanical properties of 7050 aluminum, parts printed with 7050 powder often require post-processing steps like hot isostatic pressing (HIP). This adds complexity and cost to the manufacturing process.
Lightweight: As with all aluminum alloys, 7050 powder offers a significant weight advantage compared to heavier materials like steel or titanium. This makes it ideal for weight-critical applications in aerospace, automotive, and other industries.	Higher Cost: Aluminum alloy 7050 powder can be more expensive than some other aluminum powders due to the additional elements included in the alloy and the potential need for specialized manufacturing processes.
Excellent Weldability: 7050 aluminum powder exhibits good weldability, allowing for the joining of 3D printed parts or the creation of hybrid structures combining additively manufactured components with traditionally fabricated elements.	Anisotropy: Similar to other metal alloy powders, parts printed with 7050 powder can exhibit anisotropic properties. This means their mechanical strength can vary depending on the printing direction. Careful design considerations are necessary to mitigate this effect.
Tailorable Properties: The specific properties of 7050 aluminum powder can be influenced by adjustments in the manufacturing process, such as powder atomization parameters and heat treatment techniques. This allows for some degree of customization to achieve desired characteristics for a particular application.	Safety Precautions: Aluminum alloy 7050 powder, like most metal powders, can pose safety hazards during handling. Proper ventilation, personal protective equipment, and adherence to safety protocols are essential to minimize risks.

aluminium alloy 7050 powder Suppliers

Prominent Al7050 powder manufacturers include:

Company	Location
Alpoco	UK
AMC Powders	Germany
Makin Metal Powders	UK
Sandvik Osprey	UK
PyroGenesis	Canada
TLS Technik	Germany

These and secondary LPF machine suppliers provide application-specific Al7050 powder lots to industrial buyers.

FAQs

Question	Answer
What is aluminium alloy 7050 powder?	Spheroidal gas or water atomized powder of the 7xxx series aerospace alloy with primary alloying additions of zinc and magnesium
What is 7050 alloy powder used for?	Additive manufacturing of lightweight structural components for aviation, automotive and marine applications
What is the typical composition of Al7050 powder?	∼6% zinc, ∼2.5% magnesium, ∼2.4% copper balanced by aluminium plus trace elements like Fe, Si, Mn.
What are the different varieties of Al7050 powder?	Gas atomized, water atomized, plasma atomized and mechanically alloyed powder
What are the properties of Al7050 alloy powder?	Density – 2.83 g/cm<sup>3</sup>; tensile strength – over 500 MPa; hardness – 150 to 200 VPN; excellent strength-to-weight ratio; moderate corrosion resistance
What is the typical particle size of Al7050 powder for additive manufacturing?	15 to 45 microns classified into Very Fine grade size
Does Al7050 powder require deoxidation or spheroidization before use?	Desirable to have lower than 50 to 100 ppm oxygen content; sphericity over 0.9 preferred
Is Al7050 hazardous during handling and storage?	No major hazards, but inhalation of fine powder can cause respiratory irritation

Summary

With a potent blend of high strength, respectable fracture toughness and moderate corrosion resistance, aluminum 7050 alloy demonstrates attractive properties from among nonferrous powder options for additive manufacturing. Careful attention to powder quality and recyclability promises exceptional in-service structural performance once components are processed via latest generation large powder bed systems.

As aluminum alloys gain wider acceptance across aviation, rocketry and premium automotive sectors, Al7050 powder will spearhead manufacturability of complex lightweight shapes and lattices hitherto unviable, backing new levels of functionality.

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