Future metallic aircraft structures are competing with increased applications of carbon fibre composite materials (CFRP). The successful implementation of Boeing´s 787 Dreamliner, a CFRP intensive airliner put metallic Aluminium materials solutions into a difficult position as those technologies are meanwhile stigmatised as old fashioned with no future. Taking into account well known classical shortcomings of Al alloys applications like corrosion and fatigue at the time being Al material technology offers only limited solutions which might be promising enough to become a vital alternative to compete with CFRP. Beside the permanent optimisation of established 6xxx, 2xxx and 7xxx alloy technology coupled with improved structure design (differential and integral (+ welded)) AlMgSc type alloys seem to be very interesting as they are known as very good weldable, long lasting and inherent free of corrosion related damages.

In the mid 90ties EADS Corporate Research Centre Germany started a successful research programme to develop AlMgSc sheet material. Now we are focussing on higher strength (500 – 700 MPa) profile alloys in order to be able to fulfil all relevant requirements for new integral fuselage applications in welded and/or riveted-bonded configurations. Additionally to this, airframe elements like floor beams or seat tracks are envisaged as well. The presentation will address the metallurgical fundamentals necessary to enable higher strength AlMgSc materials, the manufacturing of profiles and the related processing.