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Manufacturer’s Thoughts
For this application 7075 is superior in several ways. One example to show this is, is the difference between a 6061 AR 15 receiver and 7075 receiver. 7075 receivers are stronger and more rigid than the 6061. Have a higher wear resistance and overall much better machinability than softer (stringy) 6061. I run 7075 at twice the cutting speeds over 6061. 6061 is affected more and distortion is greater with temperature differences than 7075. It is why it’s called a aerospace material. 7075 is easily welded by TIG. Not so much by MIG. 6061 is easily welded by MIG. 6061 must be held or clamped rigidly when any welding process is used. 7075 maintains better rigidity under TIG welding. 7075 is more corrosion resistant than 6061. I worked for a while for Atlantic Nuclear services company after getting out of the navy. (Late 1980’s) Welded tons of 7075 and stainless for nuclear power plants for nuclear cooling and sub cooling systems. As far as cost, yes it runs about 35% more. A stick of 1.75” 6061 bar run’s about $120.00/12ft stick. 7075 runs about 185.00/12ft stick. Also the zinc and cu are only about 2%. I contacted several companies that offer 7075 tubing but are out of stock or withholding stock for regular government contractor customers. I’m awaiting a response from two that might get some available. Another option I was looking at is Titanium. I machine and weld Titanium for several customers. I have a good source overseas and delivery averages 2-3 weeks. Waiting on their response. Several Silencer manufacturers use either 7075 aluminum or titanium for their tubes. Also Titanium with the high positive sharp carbide tooling (which I have) for machining titanium is as easy to machine as 7075. Cost is only about 10-15% higher than 7075. I should have some answers on Monday or Tuesday. The cost difference between 6061 and 7075 tubing would be approximately $25-$45 difference. Titanium would average an increase of approximately 65-75. Hope that clears things up.
REN
For this application 7075 is superior in several ways. One example to show this is, is the difference between a 6061 AR 15 receiver and 7075 receiver. 7075 receivers are stronger and more rigid than the 6061. Have a higher wear resistance and overall much better machinability than softer (stringy) 6061. I run 7075 at twice the cutting speeds over 6061. 6061 is affected more and distortion is greater with temperature differences than 7075. It is why it’s called a aerospace material. 7075 is easily welded by TIG. Not so much by MIG. 6061 is easily welded by MIG. 6061 must be held or clamped rigidly when any welding process is used. 7075 maintains better rigidity under TIG welding. 7075 is more corrosion resistant than 6061. I worked for a while for Atlantic Nuclear services company after getting out of the navy. (Late 1980’s) Welded tons of 7075 and stainless for nuclear power plants for nuclear cooling and sub cooling systems. As far as cost, yes it runs about 35% more. A stick of 1.75” 6061 bar run’s about $120.00/12ft stick. 7075 runs about 185.00/12ft stick. Also the zinc and cu are only about 2%. I contacted several companies that offer 7075 tubing but are out of stock or withholding stock for regular government contractor customers. I’m awaiting a response from two that might get some available. Another option I was looking at is Titanium. I machine and weld Titanium for several customers. I have a good source overseas and delivery averages 2-3 weeks. Waiting on their response. Several Silencer manufacturers use either 7075 aluminum or titanium for their tubes. Also Titanium with the high positive sharp carbide tooling (which I have) for machining titanium is as easy to machine as 7075. Cost is only about 10-15% higher than 7075. I should have some answers on Monday or Tuesday. The cost difference between 6061 and 7075 tubing would be approximately $25-$45 difference. Titanium would average an increase of approximately 65-75. Hope that clears things up.
REN
