When parts require more strength and little forming, harder aluminium alloys are employed.

The
7xxx series aluminium alloys are made harder and stronger by the addition of zinc. Some widely used
forms of aluminium-zinc alloys are 7075 and 7178.
The aluminium-zinc alloy 7075 has a tensile strength of 77 KSI and a bearing strength of 139 KSI.
However, the alloy is very hard and is difficult to bend. An even stronger zinc alloy is 7178 which has
a tensile strength of 84 KSI and a bearing strength of 151 KSI. 1KSI = 1 kilopounds / square inch (1
KIP) = 1,000 pound-force/square inch (PSI) For example, on B737-200 aircraft:

Frames, stringers, keel and floor beams, wing ribs - Aluminium alloy 7075 (Aluminium and
zinc) - High mechanical properties and improved stress corrosion cracking resistance.
Bulkheads, window frames, landing gear beam - Aluminium alloy 7079 (Aluminium and zinc)
Tempered to minimise residual heat treatment stresses.
Wing upper skin, spars and beams - Aluminium alloy 7178 (Aluminium, zinc, magnesium and
copper) - High compressive strength to weight ratio.
Landing gear beam - Aluminium alloy 7175 (Aluminium, zinc, magnesium and copper) - A very
tough, very high tensile strength alloy.
Wing lower skin - Aluminium alloy 7055 (Aluminium, zinc, magnesium and copper) - Superior
stress corrosion.
8xxx series used for those alloys with lesser used alloying elements such as Fe, Ni and Li. Each is used
for the particular characteristics it provides the alloys: