
7050 Large Diameter Aluminum Pipe
7050 large-diameter aluminum tubes belong to the category of high-strength, heat treatable alloys. Their characteristics are extraordinary strength, resistance to peeling corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. These pipelines are widely used in the manufacturing of aircraft structural components, such as medium thick plates, extruded parts, free forging parts, and die forgings. The alloys used in these parts must have high resistance to spalling corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, fracture toughness, and fatigue resistance.
1. Material Composition & Manufacturing Process
7050 (AMS 4050M, ASTM B247) large diameter pipes feature copper-zinc-magnesium alloying system optimized for high-strength structural applications:
Alloy Chemistry:
Zinc (Zn): 5.7-6.7% (primary strengthening)
Magnesium (Mg): 1.9-2.6% (precipitation hardening)
Copper (Cu): 2.0-2.6% (stress corrosion resistance)
Trace Elements:
Zirconium (Zr): 0.08-0.15% (grain refinement)
Iron (Fe): ≤0.15% max
Silicon (Si): ≤0.12% max
Manganese (Mn): ≤0.10% max
Advanced Manufacturing Process:
Billet Pre-heating: 430-480°C (Argon atmosphere)
Hot Extrusion: 315-410°C at 100-350 MN press force
Cold Draw Sizing: 15-30% reduction
Stretch Straightening: 1-3% permanent elongation
Heat Treatment: T7451/T7651 proprietary aging
Calibration: 3-roll planetary sizing system
Surface Finish: Micro-peening (0.5-1.2μm Ra)
Certified to AMS-QQ-A-200/11 and EN 754 standards with full digital material traceability.
2. Mechanical Properties for Heavy Structures
|
Property |
T7451 Temper |
T7651 Temper |
Test Standard |
|
Ultimate Tensile Strength |
510-550 MPa |
530-570 MPa |
ASTM E8 |
|
Yield Strength (Rp0.2) |
455-495 MPa |
470-510 MPa |
ASTM E8 |
|
Elongation (%) |
9-12% |
7-10% |
ASTM E8 |
|
Fracture Toughness KIC |
32 MPa√m |
29 MPa√m |
ASTM E399 |
|
Compression Yield |
480-520 MPa |
500-540 MPa |
ASTM E9 |
|
Shear Strength |
300-335 MPa |
310-345 MPa |
ASTM B565 |
|
Fatigue Strength (10⁷) |
160-185 MPa |
180-205 MPa |
ASTM E466 |
|
Bearing Strength |
840-890 MPa |
860-910 MPa |
ASTM E238 |
Maintains ≥90% mechanical properties at temperatures from -55°C to +125°C per ASTM E21.
3. Heat Treatment & Microstructural Control
Proprietary Aging Sequence:
Solution Treatment: 477°C ±5°C for 2-4 hours
Controlled Quenching: Polymer quench at 40-60°C/sec
Stress Relief: 3% stretch deformation
Aging Protocol:
T7451: 107°C/8hr + 163°C/30hr
T7651: 121°C/6hr + 177°C/20hr
Microstructural Characteristics:
Grain Size: ASTM 6-7 (25-40μm)
Precipitate Structure:
η' (MgZn₂) phase: 10-30nm
Al₃Zr dispersoids: 5-15nm
Dislocation Density: 4-6×10¹⁰/cm²
Grain Boundary Structure: Discrete η-phase
Recrystallization: ≤15%
Texture Index: <1.5 random multiples
4. Dimensional Specifications for Large Pipes
|
Parameter |
Standard Range |
Precision Tolerance |
Special Capabilities |
|
Outer Diameter |
200-1200 mm |
±0.15% OD |
Up to 2500 mm |
|
Wall Thickness |
8-80 mm |
+10%/-5% WT |
3-150 mm available |
|
Length |
3-20 m |
+10mm/-0mm |
Up to 30m sections |
|
Ovality |
≤0.8% |
≤0.3% (critical) |
- |
|
Straightness |
1.0 mm/m |
0.3 mm/m |
- |
|
Perpendicularity |
≤0.5° |
≤0.2° |
- |
|
Wall Uniformity |
±7% |
±3% |
- |
Advanced Forming Technologies:
Spin Forming for end configurations
Flow Turning for thickness variation
Explosive Expansion for size transitions
Mandrel Forging for flanged ends
Localized Solution Heat Treatment
5. Environmental Durability Performance
|
Condition |
Performance Rating |
Key Metrics |
Protection Methods |
|
Salt Spray Exposure |
Excellent |
<0.002 mm/yr corrosion rate |
Alodine 1200 treatment |
|
Stress Corrosion Cracking |
Good |
Threshold >150 MPa |
T7451 overaged temper |
|
Galvanic Corrosion |
Moderate |
<0.003 mm/yr when isolated |
Fiberglass isolation |
|
Atmospheric Exposure |
Excellent |
0.0001 mm/yr rural environment |
Chromate conversion coating |
|
High Humidity |
Good |
No pitting after 3000hr |
Anodizing (Type II) |
Surface Enhancement Options:
Hard Anodizing (50-70μm, 500-600 HV)
Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO)
HVOF WC-Co Coating (1200-1400 HV)
Electroless Nickel Plating (ENP)
Thermal Spray Aluminum (TSA)
6. Machining & Fabrication Properties
|
Operation |
Tool Material |
Recommended Parameters |
Dimensional Precision |
|
Deep Hole Drilling |
Carbide gundrills |
25-45 m/min, 0.05-0.12 mm/rev |
±0.05 mm |
|
End Milling |
TiAlN coated carbide |
250-400 m/min, 0.1-0.3 mm/tooth |
Ra 0.8-1.6μm |
|
Tapping |
Coated HSS-E taps |
8-15 m/min, spiral point |
6H tolerance |
|
Boring |
CBN-tipped bars |
150-250 m/min, 0.05 mm/rev |
IT7 grade |
|
Trepanning |
PCD cutters |
60-100 m/min |
Wall runout ±0.1 mm |
Machinability Advantages:
Chip Formation: Short breaking chips
Built-up Edge Tendency: Low (Class B per ISO 3685)
Cutting Force Requirements: 20-30% lower than steel
Residual Stress Control: Cryogenic machining capable
Typical Surface Finish: Ra 0.4-1.6 μm achievable
7. Welding & Joining Technologies
Optimal Welding Processes:
Variable Polarity PAW (VPPAW):
Current: 180-300A
Travel Speed: 100-250 mm/min
Filler: ER7037 (Al-Zn-Mg)
Friction Stir Welding:
Spindle Speed: 350-600 RPM
Traverse: 80-200 mm/min
Down Force: 12-20 kN
Specialized Joint Designs:
High-Strength Mechanical Joints:
Swaged collars with 1:15 taper
Interference fit bushings
Adhesive Bonding Systems:
Epoxy novolac: 25 MPa at 100°C
Polyurethane methacrylate: 18 MPa
Double-Welded Joints:
Root gap: 0.8-1.5mm
Groove angle: 60°±5°
Back-gouging: Full penetration
8. Physical Properties for Structural Applications
|
Property |
Value |
Structural Significance |
|
Density |
2.83 g/cm³ |
60% weight savings vs steel |
|
Young's Modulus |
71 GPa |
Stiffness-to-weight ratio |
|
Poisson's Ratio |
0.33 |
Stress distribution |
|
CTE (20-150°C) |
23.6 μm/m·°C |
Thermal compatibility |
|
Thermal Conductivity |
130 W/m·K |
Heat dissipation |
|
Electrical Resistivity |
41.5 nΩ·m |
Static discharge |
|
Damping Capacity |
0.002 |
Vibration reduction |
|
Magnetic Permeability |
1.00002 |
EMI protection |
9. Testing & Certification
Rigorous Testing Protocols:
Ultrasonic Testing: 5-15 MHz probes, AWS D1.2 standards
Eddy Current Inspection: 1-3% sensitivity
Hydrostatic Testing: 1.5x design pressure
Fracture Toughness: ESIS TC24 protocol
Fatigue Testing: 10⁷ cycles minimum
Residual Stress Analysis: X-ray diffraction method
Comprehensive Certification:
NADCAP AC7108 Accreditation
ISO 9001/AS9100 Quality Systems
PED 2014/68/EU Compliance
DNV GL Type Approval
ABS Material Certification
MIL-DTL-45225 Inspection
10. Industrial Applications
Primary Application Sectors:
Aerospace structural frameworks
Missile launch tube systems
Industrial hydraulic cylinders
Energy sector gas injection pipes
Heavy machinery booms and arms
Marine propulsion shafting
High-pressure gas storage
Telescope structural components
Handling & Storage:
VCI coating with desiccant packs
Non-metallic end protectors
Wooden saddles in storage racks
Never-stack direct contact policy
ISO container transport systems
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