S. Spangel, A. Buerger, Aleris Aluminum Koblenz GmbH, Koblenz, Germany
The aircraft industry is constantly looking for improved materials which offer benefits in terms of performance, weight and cost savings. The application of aluminium in future aircrafts being in competition with fiber reinforced composites requires that the performance capability of modern aluminium alloys is fully utilized. Within the past years Aleris Aluminum has developed several sheet and plate alloys with improved strength and toughness behaviour compared to conventional 7xxx and 2xxx series alloys. This presentation covers the recent sheet and plate developments for aircraft applications by Aleris Aluminum including alloys currently being internationally registered as well as newly developed alloys. The focus will be on alloy AA7081 which is available as plate in a wide thickness range between 1 and 8 inches and various tempers while offering superior strength combined with a high fracture toughness compared to conventional 7xxx series alloys. Applications for alloy 7081 may include wing components or fuselage frames. The demand for lighter structures and advanced manufacturing technologies has accelerated the development of AlMgSc alloys. With a density in the range of today’s Al-Lithium alloys, their excellent fatigue and damage tolerance properties, good corrosion resistance and very good weldability AlMgSc alloys offer huge benefits in terms of weight and cost savings. Currently AlMgSc alloys are being considered for applications in future aircraft structures. The application of advanced manufacturing technologies such as Laser Beam and Friction Stir welding in combination with a subsequent creep forming process simplifies further integration of structural components and offers additional weight and cost reduction potential. The overall process chain will be improved. The fabrication of current Aleris AlMgSc alloys and an outlook on new developments by Aleris on AlMgSc type alloys will be discussed. Furthermore, latest results on the new Aleris HDT 2xxx alloy (KO8144) for sheet applications will be presented.
The aircraft industry is constantly looking for improved materials which offer benefits in terms of performance, weight and cost savings. The application of aluminium in future aircrafts being in competition with fiber reinforced composites requires that the performance capability of modern aluminium alloys is fully utilized.
Within the past years Aleris Aluminum has developed several sheet and plate alloys with improved strength and toughness behaviour compared to conventional 7xxx and 2xxx series alloys.
This presentation covers the recent sheet and plate developments for aircraft applications by Aleris Aluminum including alloys currently being internationally registered as well as newly developed alloys.
The focus will be on alloy AA7081 which is available as plate in a wide thickness range between 1 and 8 inches and various tempers while offering superior strength combined with a high fracture toughness compared to conventional 7xxx series alloys. Applications for alloy 7081 may include wing components or fuselage frames.
The demand for lighter structures and advanced manufacturing technologies has accelerated the development of AlMgSc alloys. With a density in the range of today’s Al-Lithium alloys, their excellent fatigue and damage tolerance properties, good corrosion resistance and very good weldability AlMgSc alloys offer huge benefits in terms of weight and cost savings. Currently AlMgSc alloys are being considered for applications in future aircraft structures. The application of advanced manufacturing technologies such as Laser Beam and Friction Stir welding in combination with a subsequent creep forming process simplifies further integration of structural components and offers additional weight and cost reduction potential. The overall process chain will be improved. The fabrication of current Aleris AlMgSc alloys and an outlook on new developments by Aleris on AlMgSc type alloys will be discussed.
Furthermore, latest results on the new Aleris HDT 2xxx alloy (KO8144) for sheet applications will be presented.
