Future of New Generation Aluminium and Composites in Aerospace Industry

ABSTRACT:

In this article a performance comparison between two aerospace grade materials, the aluminium and the composite, has been presented. Since the evolution of aerospace industry, the aluminium metal has remained a first choice to aircraft material designers. During the first decade of this century, the composites materials have achieved a greater attention in aerospace industry. A number of fascinating characteristics of composites i.e. good appearance, light weight, better corrosion resistance and high strength properties made their way onto the modem aircraft as an alternative material to aluminium. However, the advancements in aluminium alloys especially the lithium containing aluminium alloys, which are even better and lighter than traditional aluminium, made the choice difficult for aircraft manufacturers. This study showed that aerospace industry is in a transition phase and hanging in-between the metals and the composite materials. Both types of materials have their own inherent unique characteristics, but a few advantages over each other.

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