The Significance of Proper Materials Used in the Aerospace Industry

Since manufacturing and quality standards are so high, choosing the proper materials for your application within the Aerospace Industry often requires you to understand some incredibly demanding and complex protocols. Because the nature of this industry is so innovative, sourcing design schemes, components, and individual parts that can keep up with these new, cutting-edge parameters can become very difficult. Organizations acting as vendors for these kinds of goods must work hard to obtain the right materials for such an advanced realm of applications.

Because having the proper aircraft materials can so greatly affect any aerospace project, the need for reliable sources of alloys and metals becomes crucial, and only the most trusted metal manufacturers are used during these circumstances. But, what are these metals, and why are they so sought after? Let’s take a look.

Aerospace Material Properties

There is absolutely no room for error when designing aircraft and other highly detailed devices, so the metals used in aerospace are required to work exceptionally at all times. Some specific properties needed for materials used in the Aerospace Industry include high strength and heat resistance, as well as a long lifespan, and resistance to fatigue and wear. Weight is also very important, especially when aerodynamics and fuel are taken into account.

Further properties these metals should have include durability, damage tolerance, and corrosion resistance, which help fuselages and engine parts stay safe and intact. When it comes to the wings of a plane, choosing a metal that has highly compressive yield strength, resistance to fatigue, and fracture toughness is essential.

Metals Used in Aerospace

So what metals feature these desired properties, and what makes them stand out from the rest?

• Aluminum – Aluminum is always a fantastic option for its low weight and high strength. Aluminum alloys offer a range of benefits that include resistance to corrosion, high levels of strength, and good conductivity (both electric and thermal). It can also be recycled infinitely without losing its properties, which helps with sustainability efforts. At Alloys International we offer over 90 aluminum grades with specialties in the 2000 series, 5000 series, 6000 series, and 7000 series.

• Nickel Alloys– Like many other mixtures, Nickel alloys are renowned for their very high resistance to corrosion, oxidation, and heat. For this reason, these types of alloys are often used in high-temperature applications. Some of the most sought-after nickel alloys are Hastelloy, Inconel, and Monel which are most commonly used in marine and aerospace industries.

• Stainless Steel – Resistance to fatigue and stress is vital for any manufacturer in the industry. Stainless steel is incredibly versatile, making it another great choice for aerospace. This alloy is highly resistant to corrosion, can be used in a variety of environments, and can achieve high strength and a good degree of toughness. It also has a long lifespan, can withstand stress, and is extremely durable, making it great for engines, exhausts, and flanges.

• Titanium – Rising costs of fuel in our current economy have brought on the need for more fuel-efficient aircraft. With titanium’s weight-to-strength ratio, airplanes that are made from titanium parts are lighter than those that are not, which in turn consumes less fuel. Titanium has also replaced aluminum in recent times thanks to its spectacular resistance to heat and corrosion, making it a highly sought-after metal and alloy for the industry on components such as frames, exteriors, and various engine parts. We offer CP Grade 1-4 along with Alloyed grades such as 6-4, 6-2-4-2, 6-6-2, 8-11, etc.

Choosing the Right Metal and Alloy Supplier

For nearly three decades, Alloys International Inc. has been a worldwide supplier of all forms of metals and alloys including military-grade metal, stainless steel, titanium, magnesium, nickel, cobalt, magnetic, refractory, and exotic alloys. We specialize in difficult specs, rare grades, and custom conversion of materials to meet clients’ exact needs.

For the Aerospace Industry, we offer aluminum alloys, titanium, steel, and other key materials used by manufacturers around the globe as well as forgings created specifically to the requirements of your job. For any information regarding our services or products, contact us today to learn more.