Developments at Novelis to Address New Challenges in the Aircraft Industry

In the past years the competition from fiber reinforced composites has driven the developments of aluminium alloys towards new plate and sheet products with enhanced damage tolerance and strength. Also products allowing for high build rates came into the spotlight. Most of these developments were linked to specific new aircraft programs with clear property targets.

Currently the aluminium industry is facing new requirements from the aircraft manufacturers such as sustainability targets and the need for reduced emission propulsion concepts along with new aircraft designs. To address these objectives advanced alloys allowing for enhanced recycling, new reliable manufacturing methods and improved properties, also considering new demanding requirements are needed.

This paper describes new developments at Novelis for aerospace plate and sheet products to demonstrate how these challenges are being addressed.