In the research and development of high-end aluminum forgings, the choice of materials directly determines the upper limit of the part’s performance. Lao Wang Forging Company has conducted a detailed practical comparison of four of the most common grades of materials.
”Old Wang the Forging” believes that the core advantage of forgings over CNC machined parts lies in their “fiber-like flow lines.” Through pressure processing, the grains are elongated and aligned along the deformation direction, a structure that enhances the material’s toughness and impact resistance.
Material analysis and strength comparison
”Old Wang the Forging” summarized the T6 state properties of the four materials as follows:
| Material grade | Tensile strength (MPa) | Yield strength (MPa) | Hardness (HB) | Typical characteristics |
| 6061 | 310 | 276 | 95 | It has a good overall performance and good weldability. |
| 6063 | 240 | 210 | 73 | Optimal anodizing effect, high plasticity |
| 6082 | 310-340 | 260-300 | 95 | The 6 series is the strongest, with excellent corrosion resistance. |
| 7075 | 510-570 | 430-500 | 150 | Ultra-high strength, the first choice for aerospace-grade stress resistance. |
Get Old Wang the Forging’s material selection plan
Advantages and disadvantages of forgings vs. CNC machining
Advantages: High fatigue strength of forgings, less material waste, and low cost in large-scale production.
Disadvantages: Forging is difficult to directly form extremely complex internal cavity structures, and usually requires a combination of “forging pre-forming + CNC finishing”.
Key application areas and material selection logic
“Old Wang the Forging” provides specific application suggestions based on the stringent requirements of different industries:
New energy vehicle chassis: 6082 is the preferred choice. It has higher strength and better salt spray corrosion resistance than 6061, and is becoming the industry standard for steering knuckles in EV platforms
Consumer Electronics & Architectural Finishes: We recommend 6063. Its excellent surface finish response meets the color and tactile requirements of mobile phone frames or high-end architectural casings.
Aerospace and heavy-duty machinery: 7075 is required. Its tensile strength is almost twice that of the 6 series, meeting the ultimate performance requirements of landing gear and high-stress structural components.
For general structural components：6061 remains the most cost-effective option, especially performing well in scenarios requiring post-welding assembly.
Xinpingfu, leveraging over 20 years of practical experience from “Old Wang the Forging”, not only provides high-quality aluminum forgings but also dedicates itself to tailoring material selection and forming solutions for each client. Old Wang the Forging firmly believes that understanding the science behind materials is key to achieving a balance between lightweighting and low cost.
