M. Miermeister, Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH, Koblenz, Germany; J. J. M. De Rijck, Corus Research Development & Technology, IJmuiden, Netherlands
In support of Aleris’ alloy development Corus RD&T has been developing a variety of different analysis tools. These tools can be used to assess the applicability in aircraft structures. Especially with the increasing application of composites in aircraft structures, a fair comparison between different materials is a necessity. Aleris’ latest developed 7xxx alloy is 7081, in several structural analyses, the advantage of this new alloy is shown with respect to existing common 7xxx alloys. Some of these structural analyses comprised, wing panels, fuselage skin and rib and spar structures. Depending on the location one can choose between a more damage tolerant variant or a higher strength variant. For integrated upper wing panels, the higher strength 7081-T7651 can be chosen, while for integral lower wing panels the more damage tolerant 7081-T7451 is the material of choice, which also allows this alloy to be used as spar and rib plate material. In the analyses, a possible performance increase is combined with weight analyses. Application of the 7081 compared to the common 7xxx alloys shows the increase in performance and weight saving possibilities at several locations.
In support of Aleris’ alloy development Corus RD&T has been developing a variety of different analysis tools. These tools can be used to assess the applicability in aircraft structures. Especially with the increasing application of composites in aircraft structures, a fair comparison between different materials is a necessity. Aleris’ latest developed 7xxx alloy is 7081, in several structural analyses, the advantage of this new alloy is shown with respect to existing common 7xxx alloys.
Some of these structural analyses comprised, wing panels, fuselage skin and rib and spar structures. Depending on the location one can choose between a more damage tolerant variant or a higher strength variant. For integrated upper wing panels, the higher strength 7081-T7651 can be chosen, while for integral lower wing panels the more damage tolerant 7081-T7451 is the material of choice, which also allows this alloy to be used as spar and rib plate material. In the analyses, a possible performance increase is combined with weight analyses. Application of the 7081 compared to the common 7xxx alloys shows the increase in performance and weight saving possibilities at several locations.
