Airware® technology for sheet, plate and extruded products: An update of lightweight aerospace technology to achieve ambitious cost – weight targets

Commercial aircraft programs such as Airbus A350XWB, Bombardier/Airbus CSeries/A220 and space programs such as Falcon SpaceX have been using the Airware^® technology for primary structural parts for more than 6 years. All programs are getting close to full build rate and are well supported by the Constellium Airware^® cast house built in 2010 and doubling its capacity in 2014.

As reported in previous Aeromat conferences, the new industrial facilities, in particular the Airware^® cast house, produce on a very robust manufacturing basis, comparable to standard reference conversion processes. The data bases for the large volume products such as 2050 plate, 2198 sheets, 2196 and 2065 extrusions are an excellent platform for a continuous development of further enhanced Airware^® products to cover the entire airframe structure for existing and future airframes. An update of Airware^® alloys for all key structural parts including wing covers and fuselage structures will be presented including customer experiences allowing cost reductions by considering the entire assembly process.

When considering the cost structure of an Aerospace part, the raw material, manufacturing and assembly costs need to be integrated. Examples within each of these areas will be presented illustrating enhanced opportunities to position advanced Airware^® technology options in competitive areas of the cost-weight diagram.