Light Alloys and Composites in Aviation.

Table of Contents

Introduction 3
The use of Light Alloys in Aviation 3
The use of Composites in Aviation 4
Comparison between Light Alloys and Composites 5
Aircraft Part Identification 7
Example of Incorrect Part Installation 9
Conclusion 11
Bibliography & Referencing 12

Introduction

Ever since the invention of aircraft, manufacturers have been uncovering new ways in which the main body of the aircraft and its internal components can be made lighter, which in effect, allows them to carry more passengers, fly faster and increase the range in which they can operate. As technology has improved materials can now be developed by re- arranging their atomic structure which, makes it possible for aircraft to reach new performance levels as well as lowering emissions. In this assignment I look at how selecting the right material for use benefits airlines and manufactures, before looking at how the wrong materials/ parts can result in disaster.

1)
The use of Light Alloys in Aviation

A) Materials in aircraft need to be both extremely strong and lightweight, this makes light alloys an excellent category of materials to considered when manufacturing the aircraft. Magnesium and Aluminium are two metals that are both renowned for being lightweight. Although they are not incredibility strong when they are in their pure state, they can be alloyed which provides the material with more strength.
The material for the main skin of the aircraft needs to be as strong as possible whilst being as light as possible. Duralumin is an alloy that is used extensively for aircraft skin, it is a Aluminium - Copper based alloy, with 93.5% Aluminium and 4.4% Copper in addition there are between 0.5% to 1.5% Magnesium and 0.5% to 1% Manganese, this alloy is also know as 2024 (1).
Its not only the aircraft skin that is made from this specific type of Aluminium alloy, rivets that are used to hold skin panels together can also be made of 2024, however these are heat