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structures would increase the engine performance by
more than 50%.
The new advanced processing technologies are also
being developed to produce high-performance alloys
and composites in a cost effective manner. The aircraft
industries have global competition between airlines and
manufacturers, forcing them to cut down the life cycle cost
of the aircraft [4]. The new lighter metallic materials;
aluminium matrix composites, hybrid polymer metal
composites for airframes and titanium based metal matrix
composites for engine applications are being developed,
which are capable of service temperatures beyond the
capabilities of polymer based materials [3].
1. Materials used in Aerospace Applications
The aerospace materials must carry the structural and
aerodynamic loads while being inexpensive and easy to
fabricate. The aircraft material should not crack, corrode,
oxidize or suffer other forms of damage while operating
under adverse conditions that involve high loads, freezing
and high temperatures, lightning strikes and hail impact,
and exposure to potentially corrosive fluids such as jet fuel,
lubricants and paint strippers. In addition to high
mechanical properties and long-term durability, it is
INTRODUCTION
Today's aircraft industry is demanding high support from its
raw material suppliers. On one hand, they expect low cost
materials for current aircraft versions while on the other
hand, new approaches and advanced materials are
desired to face the challenges of next century mass air
transportations [1].
Ever since the first day of powered flight, aircraft designers
are trying to achieve minimum weight. Starting from 1903
to till date, absolute minimum weight and strength to
weight ratio are the major priorities for material selection [2].
In initial times of aircraft development for about 25 years,
airframe used was made of wooden structure laced by
wires and covered with fabrics.
In the development of next generation aircrafts, important
features considered are the lighter, stiffer and stronger, less
fatigue sensitive and more damage tolerant of materials
for airframes and engines [3]. In early of twenty first century,
Titanium alloys and Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) with
continuous fibre reinforcement were used for weight
reductions of 40-60% in aircrafts; furthermore, it was
expected that, use of fibre reinforced polymers, MMCs and
ceramic-matrix composites in aircraft engines and
RES EAR CH PAPERS
REVIEW PA P ER
By
YASHPAL * C.S. JAWALKAR ** SUMAN KANT ***
A REVIEW ON USE OF ALUMINIUM ALLOYS IN AIRCRAFT
COMPONENTS
ABSTRACT
In aerospace applications, materials with high strength to weight ratios along with properties such as excellent corrosion
resistance, light weight, creep resistance and high thermal strength are needed. Also cost parameters need to be
considered without compromising with quality. In accordance with the properties required; aluminium, titanium,
magnesium, nickel and their alloys are mostly used in aerospace industries for making most of its sub components. In this
paper, a detailed review has been presented on Al based alloy used in making aircraft structures and components. The
characteristics of metallic components for aircraft seats are discussed. It has been found that, the aluminum alloys are
the major contributors for aircraft components. The aluminium alloys (2xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx and 8xxx) are found to be the
prominent ones. Among these, the 8xxx series is widely used due to its low density.
Keywords: Materials, Aluminium, Creep Resistance, Corrosion Resistance, Alloys.
* Research Scholar, Department of Production and Industrial Engineering, PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh, India.
**_*** Assistant Professor, Department of Production and Industrial Engineering, PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh, India.
i-manager’s Journal o Vol. l l
n Material Science, 3 No. 3 October - December 2015 33