Aspect | 7075 Aluminum Fasteners | Titanium Fasteners |
---|---|---|
Material Composition | 7075 aluminum alloy with zinc as the primary alloying element, along with magnesium, copper, and chromium | Titanium, often in the form of Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V), an alloy with aluminum and vanadium |
Density | 2.81 g/cm³, significantly lighter than titanium | 4.51 g/cm³, heavier than aluminum but much lighter than steel |
Strength-to-Weight Ratio | Excellent, with a tensile strength of up to 572 MPa | Superior, with a tensile strength of up to 950 MPa |
Corrosion Resistance | Good, but requires surface treatments like anodizing for enhanced protection | Excellent, naturally resistant to corrosion in many environments |
Thermal Conductivity | High thermal conductivity (~130 W/m·K), useful in dissipating heat | Low thermal conductivity (~21.9 W/m·K), suitable for high-temperature applications |
Fatigue Resistance | Good, but can be susceptible to stress corrosion cracking under certain conditions | Excellent, with high resistance to fatigue and stress corrosion cracking |
Cost | Relatively lower cost, making it more cost-effective for large-scale applications | Significantly higher cost, often 5-10 times more expensive than aluminum |
Ease of Machining | Excellent machinability, suitable for high-speed machining and complex geometries | More difficult to machine, requires specialized tools and techniques |
Applications | Widely used in aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment where weight reduction is critical | Used in aerospace, marine, medical, and high-performance automotive applications where both weight reduction and strength are crucial |
Temperature Performance | Performs well up to around 120°C, but loses strength at elevated temperatures | Maintains strength and stability at temperatures up to 400°C |
Environmental Impact | Lower environmental impact due to the abundance and recyclability of aluminum | Higher environmental impact due to the energy-intensive extraction and processing of titanium |
Availability | Readily available and widely used across multiple industries | Less readily available, often used in specialized applications |
Tensile Strength | Up to 572 MPa, providing good strength for most lightweight applications | Up to 950 MPa, providing superior strength for demanding applications |
Weight Savings | Excellent weight savings due to low density, especially in applications where every gram counts | Slightly less weight savings compared to aluminum, but with higher strength and durability |
Electrical Conductivity | High electrical conductivity, making it suitable for applications where electrical performance is required | Low electrical conductivity, more suitable for structural applications |
Titanium fasteners offer superior strength and corrosion resistance at a higher cost and weight, while 7075 aluminum fasteners provide excellent weight savings with good strength and machinability.