Aluminum plate for aviation application

2023-06-25 14:22:00

Aluminum and its alloys are today considered one of the most practical of metals for a variety of reasons. Its low cost, light-weight, and modern appearance are among the primary reasons for its widespread use. It is non-sparking, electrically conductive, thermally conductive, non-magnetic, reflective, and chemically resistant. It is popular in the construction, marine and aircraft industries because of its ease of fabrication, non-toxicity, strength (pound-for pound), and resistance to the corrosive atmospheres of industry and marine environments. Anodizing increases this corrosion resistance and also permits iridescent finishes in different colors. Some alloys are slightly corrosive and so are cladded with a thin layer of aluminum for added protection.

 Due to the light weight and high strength of aluminum, many alloys such as 2024 alloy, 7075 T6 aluminum and 7150 aluminum are widely used on the aeroplane, making the aircraft a safe, economical and feasible mode of transportation.

 Aluminum plate is an important structural material for aircraft, and it is mainly used in fuselage, wing skin, oil tank etc. By using aluminum composite materials, the density of aircraft’s outer skin can be decreased by 5%-7%. As a result, the total weight can be reduced 10%, and therefore fuel efficiency increases. Moreover, 7% can be increased in stiffness of the material by using aluminum plate. Due to the superb corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance and damage tolerance of alunimium alloy, the inspection period can be extended and hence decreasing maintenance cost.

The skin of an airplane is usually made of aluminum. And most other metal parts on the plane are also made of aluminum. For example, the engine of a piston-driven airplane is made of aluminum. Most of the metal fixtures in the aircraft, such as seats, doors, cabinets, etc., are also made of aluminum.

Aluminum in the Aerospace Industry

Aluminium Alloy Plate

Aerospace Grade Metals

Aluinium sheets

Commonly used aluminum alloys in aerospace

Alloy 2014 – A beneficial alloy choice for framework due to its strength and machinability. However, it does not provide the level of corrosion resistance other aluminum grades do. Therefore, it should not be used in environments with high corrosive environments or environmental stressors.

Alloy 2024 – 2024 Aluminum alloy is used extensively for aerospace and aircraft components. It possesses high tensile strength, is treatable, and stress resistant. It can also be heat treated. Aluminum 2024 plate and sheet are ideal for aerospace applications involving structures, aircraft wings, and repairs.

Alloy 3003 – This alloy possesses good weldability and corrosion resistance. It is not heat treatable but is one of the more common aluminum alloys used for aircraft and aviation applications.

Alloy 5052 – As another aluminum alloy not suitable for heat treatment, 5052 does have a high fatigue strength compared to other aluminum alloys. It possesses good formability and corrosion resistance properties and is used commonly for fuel tanks in aircraft.

Alloy 6061 – 6061 Aluminum alloy may be welded and brazed. It is a workable alloy with superb corrosion resistance. It is commonly used in the fuselage and wings.

Alloy 6063 – This alloy is an excellent choice for architectural structures and anodizing requirements. High corrosion resistance and high tensile properties are some of the features of this alloy. It is an alloy often used for aesthetic purposes.

Alloy 7050 – 7050 aluminum alloy is a great option for military aircraft and wing skins. This alloy may be reheated and is applicable for military aircraft and wing skins. It possesses a superb strength-to-weight ratio.

Alloy 7068 – Used extensively for aircraft applications, this alloy is one of the strongest available aluminum alloys for aerospace applications. It is a popular alloy grade for applications that involve exposure to high level environmental stressors. It possesses a high level of strength and corrosion resistance.

Alloy 7075 – Aluminum alloy 7075 has average corrosion resistance and high fatigue resistance. It compares to the strength of steel due to the high level of zinc in its composition. It is ideal for highly stressed parts such as fuselages.

Less common aluminum alloys

Several other aluminum alloys not known to many play a crucial role in the development of the aerospace and aircraft industries.

Alloy 2219-This aluminum alloy provides maximum strength at high temperatures. It was used successfully for the external fuel tank of the first successfully launched space shuttle Columbia. Its properties include good weldability.

Alloy 6063-Grade 6063 is commonly used for its aesthetic appeal and not necessarily its structural prowess. It’s commonly used for intricate extrusion but also has a high resistance to fracture and fatigue and is very strong.

Alloy 7475-Finally, there is aluminum alloy 7475, which is at times found in the fuselage bulkheads of large aircraft. Like others mentioned herein, it's incredibly strong.

about haomei

Haomei Aluminium integrating extrusion, forging, and sheet/plate and orientating at high-end metal processing industry..Products cover applications on the high-end market: aviation, marine, nuclear power, rail transit, automobile and container etc.Haomei aluminium is the premier source of high quality aircraft aluminum sheeting. World Renowned Aircraft Aluminum sheet supplier.

FORGING PROJECT

This project is capable of running production and R&D on aluminum alloy, titanium alloy and super-alloy forgings. Annual production capacity is about 20,000t.
The company is capable to produce forging products of high technical content and added value, including Aluminum alloys of 2xxx,4xxx,5xxx,6xxx and 7xxx as well as titanium, super alloy and high-strength structural steel and so on. The products cover high-end field: aviation, vessel, petroleum and petrochemical, rails transit, energy industries and maritime engineering etc.