Aleris High Performance Aluminium Alloys for Innovative Solutions to the Aerospace Industry

Today’s main requirements to the aircraft industry are higher fuel efficiency, lower manufacturing costs and reduced down time for inspection and repair of their aircrafts. To meet these targets and to compete against other materials such as fiber reinforced composites Aleris has developed new plate and sheet alloys designed for optimum performance while considering new manufacturing techniques and a fast ramp-up scenario.

Within Aleris focus was placed in the past years on the development of new 7xxx and thermally stable 5xxx sheet and plate alloys allowing for a superior strength toughness balance and low weight solutions.

With a density in the range of today’s Al-Lithium alloys, their excellent fatigue and damage tolerance properties, good corrosion resistance, very good weldability and robust processing route, AlMgSc alloys offer huge benefits in terms of weight and cost savings.

 In addition Aleris is working on 7xxx plate products for use in wing components such as wing covers, spars, or ribs or for use in integral structures.

This paper will provide an overview of new, improved sheet and plate alloys for various aircraft applications and cost efficient processing routes based on advanced manufacturing techniques. Future developments in the field of new aerospace alloys will be highlighted.