M. J. Philbrook, Alcan Aerospace, Ravenswood, WV; K. P. Smith, Alcan Rolled Products, Ravenswood, WV; M. J. Crill, E. S. Balmuth, Lockheed Martin Aerospace, Fort Worth, TX; D. J. Chellman, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Fort Worth, TX; J. Amin, Lockheed Martin, Fort Worth, TX
2050-T8 is the latest development by Alcan Aerospace in lightweight plate products. This product was designed to equal or exceed the static and toughness properties of 7050-T7451. Additionally, the product offers improved fatigue crack growth resistance and thermal resistance as well as lower density. Extensive studies at Alcan Aerospace and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics have shown that the original property targets are being met or exceeded.
Latest test results for the product will be presented including tensile, compression, shear, bearing, fracture toughness, elastic modulus, stress-corrosion cracking, and fatigue. This design data for plate products is being generated for submission to MMPDS and will include plate products up to 6 inches thick.Crack turning behavior can be of interest when dealing with aluminum lithium alloys. Predicting when crack turning will occur is a critical step towards being able to implement these alloys in structural airframe applications. Recent advances in prediction techniques have been made by joint studies between Alcan Aerospace and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.
This presentation is a reviw of the design data generated by Alcan Aerospace and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics over the past year for 2050-T8. This product is designed as a lightweight drop-in replacement of 7050-T7451 and the plate product will be offered by Alcan Aerospace initially in gauges up to 6 inches.
