In the aerospace industry, the landing gear is often referred to as the "steel legs" of an aircraft. It must withstand the tremendous impact loads during takeoff and landing, while also enduring complex cyclic stresses and harsh environmental conditions. Therefore, the choice of landing gear materials is critical to flight safety and aircraft performance. Among these materials, 7075 T6 aircraft aluminum plate plays a central role due to its exceptional properties.

What is 7075 T6 Aluminum Plate?

7075 aluminum alloy belongs to the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu series and is one of the most widely used high-strength aluminum alloys. When treated to the T6 temper (solution heat-treated and artificially aged), its strength is significantly enhanced, reaching levels comparable to - or in some cases replacing - steel, while offering a much lower weight.

Mechanical Properties of 7075 T6 Aluminum Plate

Alloy: 7075-T6

Tensile Strength: 500-524 MPa

Yield Strength: 400-455 MPa

Elongation: ~11%

Elastic Modulus: 71 GPa

Density: ~2.8 g/cm³

Why Use 7075 T6 Aluminum Plate for Landing Gear?

1. High Strength for Load Bearing

During takeoff and landing, landing gear must endure impact loads of tens or even hundreds of tons. With strength levels close to steel, 7075 T6 aluminum plate provides reliable safety while reducing structural weight.

2. Lightweight Advantage

In aviation, every kilogram of weight reduction improves fuel efficiency and payload capacity. 7075 T6 aluminum offers the strength of steel at a fraction of the weight, supporting the aerospace industry’s ongoing pursuit of lightweight design.

3. Excellent Fatigue Resistance

Landing gear experiences repeated cyclic loading throughout its service life. 7075 T6 aluminum plate, when properly heat-treated and processed, demonstrates superior fatigue strength, extending service life and enhancing flight safety.

4. Corrosion Resistance & Protection

Although the intrinsic corrosion resistance of 7075 alloy is moderate, it can be significantly improved through surface treatments such as anodizing, hard anodizing, or protective coatings, ensuring durability in demanding aerospace environments.

Applications in Aircraft Landing Gear

In landing gear manufacturing, 7075 T6 aircraft aluminum plate is commonly used for main load-bearing beams, support arms, and connecting components. These plates are precisely machined using CNC equipment to achieve complex geometries, then subjected to rigorous surface treatments such as anodizing or coating to enhance corrosion and wear resistance.

Comparison with Other Materials

The selection of landing gear materials involves alternatives such as 2024 aluminum alloys and titanium alloys. Comparing them helps highlight the advantages of 7075 T6 aluminum.

Compared with 2024 Aluminum Alloy

2024 aluminum is also widely used in aerospace for its strength and toughness. However, 7075 T6 generally offers higher strength than 2024 T3/T4, making it the preferred choice for primary load-bearing landing gear structures.
While 2024 has relatively poor corrosion resistance (often requiring cladding), 7075, despite not being the most corrosion-resistant, provides a better balance of properties in many applications.

Compared with Titanium Alloys

Titanium alloys (such as Ti-6Al-4V) are known for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, making them ideal for landing gear components. However, their high cost and machining difficulty limit widespread use.
For non-critical load-bearing parts or cost-sensitive applications, 7075 T6 aluminum plate serves as an excellent alternative, balancing performance and affordability.