High Performance Alcoa Thick Gauge Products for Next-Generation Aircraft

Recent announcements by major aircraft manufacturers have confirmed the value of optimized metallic structures for both wing and fuselage in next generation wide-body and narrow-body passenger jets. Such structures make intensive use of high performance aluminum-based products, allowing for lighter structural components and thereby resulting in increased fuel efficiency beyond the gains from new engine designs.

A new generation of “thick” aluminum alloy products has been developed by Alcoa, specifically targeted at internal structural components such as ribs, spars, thick frames, landing gear components, etc. New high strength 7xxx thick plate products, namely 7085-T7451, 7065-T7651 and 7065-T7451 have recently completed commercialization (AMS, MMPDS) and are currently being qualified for major OEM programs. The respective benefits of these new products will be highlighted in relation to incumbent 7050-T7451 plate. In addition, 3^rd generation Al-Lithium 2060 and 2070 alloy products are completing development in both plate and forgings. High strength 2060 die forgings are nearing full commercialization with an AMS specification and full MMPDS allowables expected in 2015 for section thicknesses ranging from 1 to 4in.  An update on the development of alloy 2070 will also be provided for both plate and forgings following the completion of new trials. This alloy was developed as a silver-free alternative to Al-Li 2050 with 1% lower density, comparable mechanical properties and best-in-class stress corrosion cracking resistance.