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EN AW-7022 (High-Strength Structural 7xxx, Weldable)

EN AW-7022 -- weldable high-strength 7xxx structural alloy. Rm 470-540 MPa T6, retains good post-weld strength recovery through natural aging, unlike most 7xxx alloys which are difficult to weld successfully. For welded military armour, high-performance structural weldments and motorsport structures.

Aluminium Alloys 7xxx Series Aluminium ENEN AW-7022 / AlZn5Mg3Cu AA7022 ASTMB209 Alloy 7022 UNSA97022 +2
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Description

EN AW-7022 (AlZn5Mg3Cu) per EN 573-3. Lower Cu content than 7075 gives usefully better weldability -- the alloy naturally re-ages at ambient temperature after welding, recovering a useful fraction of base-metal strength in the heat-affected zone over several weeks, unlike 7075 where welded joints remain permanently weak. Standard for welded lightweight armour plate, high-performance welded structural frames and motorsport chassis components where 7xxx strength is wanted in a welded structure.

Key Properties — T6
Rm (Tensile Strength)
470 – 540
MPa
Re / Rp0.2 (Yield)
390
MPa
A₅ (Elongation)
≥ 8.0
%
Hardness
140 – 160
HB
E (Young's Modulus)
72
GPa
Density
2.78
g/cm³
Main Designations (6)
Standard BodyDesignationCountry / RegionNote
EN EN AW-7022 / AlZn5Mg3Cu EU
AA 7022 USA
ASTM B209 Alloy 7022 USA
UNS A97022 USA (UNS)
MIL MIL-DTL-46027 (armour applications, nearest) USA Military
JUS AlZn5Mg3Cu zavarljivi 7xxx; nema JUS Yugoslavia/BiH 7022 zavarljiva visokocvrsta Al legura
Standards (6)
#Standard BodyDesignationCountry / RegionNote
1 EN EN AW-7022 / AlZn5Mg3Cu EU —
2 AA 7022 USA —
3 ASTM B209 Alloy 7022 USA —
4 UNS A97022 USA (UNS) —
5 MIL MIL-DTL-46027 (armour applications, nearest) USA Military —
6 JUS AlZn5Mg3Cu zavarljivi 7xxx; nema JUS Yugoslavia/BiH 7022 zavarljiva visokocvrsta Al legura
All values in wt.%
Zn
Zinc
4.3000 – 5.2000
Mg
Magnesium
2.6000 – 3.7000
Cu
Copper
0.5000 – 1.0000
Zr
Zirconium
0.0800 – 0.2500
ElementSymbolMin %Max %Typical %
Zinc Zn 4.3000 5.2000 4.7500
Magnesium Mg 2.6000 3.7000 3.1000
Copper Cu 0.5000 1.0000 0.7500
Zirconium Zr 0.0800 0.2500 0.1500
Mechanical Properties
ConditionCode Rm min
MPa		Rm max
MPa		 Re min
MPa		Re max
MPa		 A₅ min
%		 Z
%		 KV
J		 HB minHB max HRC minHRC max E
GPa
T6 T6 470 540 390 — 8.0 — — 140 160 — — 72.0
As-welded, naturally re-aged (typical HAZ recovery) T6-W 330 400 260 — 10.0 — — — — — — 72.0
Physical Properties
Density
2.780
g/cm³
Melting Point
477–635
°C
Young's Modulus
72.0
GPa
Poisson's Ratio
0.330
—
Thermal Conductivity
140.0
W/m·K
Thermal Expansion
23.70
×10⁻⁶ /K
Specific Heat
875
J/kg·K
Electrical Resistivity
0.0530
µΩ·m
Magnetic
No
 
Heat Treatment
SHT
Temperature:465°C – 475°C
Medium:Water quench
Duration:1h/25mm
Cooling:Rapid quench
Hardness After:HB ~85
Artificial Aging T6
Temperature:115°C – 145°C
Medium:Two-step oven schedule
Duration:8-16 h total
Cooling:Air cool
Hardness After:Rm 470-540 MPa
Post-weld natural re-aging (key characteristic)
Temperature:20°C – 25°C
Medium:Ambient temperature
Duration:Several weeks
Cooling:N/A
Hardness After:HAZ strength recovers to roughly 65-75% of base metal
The defining advantage over 7075 -- natural aging partially restores welded-joint strength over time without a post-weld furnace cycle.
Post-weld artificial aging (optional, faster recovery)
Temperature:115°C – 145°C
Medium:Oven
Duration:8-16 h
Cooling:Air cool
Hardness After:Faster, more complete HAZ strength recovery
Where production schedule does not allow weeks of natural aging.
Machinability
Machinability Rating
relative to AISI B1112 = 100%
370.0%
Excellent
Turning Speed (HSS)
225
m/min
Turning Speed (Carbide)
900
m/min
Feed Rate (Turning)
0.340
mm/rev
Drilling Speed (HSS)
185
m/min
Milling Speed (Carbide)
980
m/min
CoolantFlood or MQL
Chip FormationShort-medium chips
Tool MaterialCarbide K10; PCD for production
Surface FinishRa 0.2-0.8 um
Good machinability, similar to 7075.
Applications
Armour Plate
Lightweight welded armour plate for military vehicles.
Motorsport Structures
Welded high-performance chassis and structural components.
Aerospace Welded Structures
Structural weldments requiring 7xxx-class strength with practical weldability.
Technical Notes
✅
7022 vs 7075 for welded structures
7075: highest 7xxx strength, but welded joints remain permanently weak (Rm often below 250 MPa in the HAZ, roughly half base metal, with NO significant natural recovery). 7022: somewhat lower peak strength, but genuinely weldable with meaningful HAZ strength recovery via natural or artificial re-aging. Never weld 7075 for a structural joint expecting near-base-metal strength; use 7022 (or 7020) specifically when the structure must be both high-strength 7xxx AND welded.