J. Liu, Alcoa, Inc., Alcoa Center, PA
There has been a fundamental shift in aerospace R&D programs, with broader scientific and engineering portfolios to create integrated, strategic, long-term initiatives that will redefine the future performance, cost and value of the metallic and hybrid aerostructures that are needed to meet the mission requirements of tomorrow’s aircraft. It is important that we execute internal and collaborative, external programs that will revolutionize materials, structural design and assembly for the coming generations of commercial aircraft. Following intense studies of various structural options, it appears that Hybrid Structural Assembly optimized with a combination of Advanced Metallic and Hybrid Components offer the best opportunities to maximize structural performance; especially when coupled with new alloys that have already resulted in dramatic improvements in corrosion resistance. Even with higher operating stresses, Advanced Metallic and Hybrid design concepts show the potential for multi-fold increase in spectrum fatigue crack growth life. The performance potential of combined Advanced Metallic and Hybrid Structure will create a new S-curve for structural performance – surpassing all of today’s uni-material structures. In this presentation, several advanced structural concepts targeted for wing and fuselage applications and large scale test article results will support optimism for Advanced Metallic and Hybrid Structures. Potentials for structural cost reduction via Advanced Hybrid designs will also be discussed.
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