Buyers usually ask one of two questions: “Is it aluminium?” or “Is it 7075?” The first one is the wrong question, and the second one is only sometimes the right one.
The two grades in one line each
- 6063 is an extrusion alloy. It machines cleanly, anodises beautifully, resists corrosion well and is the standard choice for visible parts.
- 7075 is a zinc-bearing aerospace alloy. It is roughly twice as strong in yield, noticeably stiffer, and costs more to buy and to machine.
| 6063 | 7075 | |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | Moderate | High |
| Stiffness | Good | Higher — resists flexing |
| Anodised finish | Bright, even, easy to match | Slightly darker and less uniform in clear finishes |
| Machining | Easy, less tool wear | Harder on tools |
| Weight | Slightly lighter | Slightly heavier |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Typical use here | Ring bodies, visible plates, desk stands | Thin arms, hinge parts, car mount structures |
For most phone accessories, finish decides more than strength
A magnetic ring holder does not carry a structural load. What it has to do is feel solid in the hand, keep its colour after a year in a pocket, and look consistent across a production run. That is exactly what 6063 does better.
If you switch a visible ring body from 6063 to 7075 without changing the process, you usually get two complaints: the clear anodised colour shifts slightly, and the part costs more. You do not get a better product.
When 7075 earns its price
There are three cases where the stronger alloy is the right answer:
- Thin load-bearing parts. A car mount arm that holds a phone steady over a bumpy road will flex if it is made from a softer alloy.
- Hinge and clamp structures. Where a small part takes repeated force, higher yield strength means less permanent deformation over time.
- Weight reduction. Because 7075 is stronger, a part can be thinner and still hold — sometimes the finished part ends up lighter despite the denser alloy.
How to specify it so you get what you ordered
The material grade should appear in three places, not one:
- On the drawing, as a note next to the part — not only in the general title block.
- On the quotation, so the price you compare between suppliers refers to the same material.
- On the inspection sheet, next to the measured results for that batch.
If a supplier cannot say which grade is used on which part, that is the answer you need — regardless of what the website says.
What we use
We work with 6063 and 7075, and the choice is made per part: visible ring bodies and plates are normally 6063 for the finish, while thin structural parts such as car mount arms and hinge components are specified in 7075.
The magnet side is a separate decision with its own numbers: our standard ring models use N52 magnets with a measured strength of about 4,100 GS, and the SK7 hinge used on several models is cycle tested to over 6,000 open-and-close movements. Those two numbers affect how the product feels far more than the alloy does.
Three questions worth asking any supplier
- Which grade is used for which part, and can it be written on the drawing?
- What is the measured magnet strength, and how is it measured?
- What is cycle tested, and to how many cycles?
The short version
Use 6063 where people look at and touch the product. Use 7075 where a thin part has to stay straight under repeated force. Put the grade on the drawing, in the quote and on the inspection sheet.
Need a price for your own model?
Send us your drawing or a reference photo. You will get unit price, sampling time and shipping cost within one working day.
Models mentioned in this guide