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construction of the first aircraft. With its objective of flying using air support while, resisting
gravitational forces, the materials used for construction of aircraft must have a small weight,
high specific strength, heat resistant, fatigue load resistant, crack resistant and corrosion
resistant. Back in the days, aircrafts were constructed using wood and fabrics. But aircrafts
that are made up of wood and fabric were subject to rapid deterioration and high
maintenance. Thus, the search for better materials began. Now, aluminium, steel, titanium
and composite materials are preferred in the construction of aerospace structures.
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon and can be three times stronger and heavier than
aluminium. It is usually used in a landing gear due to its strength and hardness as well as in
the skin surface of aircrafts due to its high heat resistance.
Titanium and its alloys are commonly used in the construction of aircraft due to its high
strength properties, high temperature resistance and high corrosion resistance compared to
steel and aluminium. Despite being expensive, titanium is used in aircraft construction due to
its excellent material properties. It is used in panel and swivel wing assemblies, hydraulic
systems and other parts.
Product manufacturing company also favors composite materials in the production of
aircrafts due to their high tensile strength, high compression resistance, low weight and high
resistance to corrosion. Composite materials are composed by a base material and resin that
strengthens the material as a whole. Composite materials improve fuel efficiency and
performance of the aircraft as well as lessen direct operating costs of aircrafts. The most
common composite material used is fiberglass that is made up of glass fibers as the base
material and a resin matrix. The disadvantages of using composite materials, however,
include high cost and immediate repair are needed in case of damage. It is also important to
avoid fire when using composite materials because the resin used weakens and causes release
of toxic fumes.
Magnesium had been gaining popularity again due to new developments regarding its corrosion and
flammability properties. Magnesium is a lightweight metal but was banned in aircraft construction
because it easily catches fire. Now, various research studies made progress in developing
magnesium alloys that can meet aerospace corrosion and flammability requirements and succeeded
in lifting the ban of magnesium usage. Due to its low weight property, high strength and ductility,
magnesium alloys improve efficiency of the aircraft.
Nano Adaptive Hybrid Fabric (NAHF-X) or fuzzy fibers have good structural, electrical and thermal
properties. Once incorporated into resin products, it will have the ability to be produced in continuous
sheets to desired sizes like other fabrics. Fuzzy fibers can be used in small Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles (UAVs) where weight will be reduced when the conductive “skin” of fuzzy fiber serves for the
aircraft’s power, sensor systems and communications.
Fiber metal laminates (FML) have high strength, low density and high elasticity modulus with
improved toughness, corrosion resistance, good fire resistance and fatigue properties. Furthermore,
fiber metal laminates have low weight compared to other metallic structures. Lesser amounts of FML
is needed to build a component compared to other materials. With these properties, cost is
dramatically reduced in the construction and maintenance of aircrafts.
Other materials that can improve the performance and reduce cost of aircraft manufacturing are
CentrAl reinforced aluminum (CentrAl) and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). CentrAl has 25%
more tensile strength than high-strength aluminum alloys, high fatigue resistance and highly damage-
tolerance. It also has a lighter weight compared to aluminum alloys that will decrease the weight of
the aircraft and lower the fuel consumption. CMCs have high resistance to temperatures that exceed
the properties of other materials. Its utilization in CFM LEAP high-bypass turbofan engine has
reduced fuel consumption by 16%.
Various studies are still being implemented in order to find materials that will be highly suitable with
the requirements needed for materials used in the construction of aircraft and will reduce overall costs
while improving the efficiency of the aircraft.
Metallics
Composite Materials