Category: Aerospace Materials: Past, Present And Future

The future success of the aerospace industry both in terms of the cost-effective manufacture of new aircraft and the cost-effective extension of the operating life of existing aircraft is reliant on on-going improvements to existing materials and the development of new materials. Advances in materials technology is classified as evolutionary or revolutionary. Evolutionary advances mean…

On-going advances in materials technology are essential to the success of the aerospace industry in the design, construction and in-service operation of aircraft. The aerospace industry is broadly defined as an industry network that designs, builds and provides in-service support to aircraft, helicopters, guided missiles, space vehicles, aircraft engines, and related parts. The industry includes…

Wood The era of aerospace materials arguably started with the first powered flight of Kitty Hawk by Orville and Wilbur Wright. The principal criterion used in the selection of materials for the first generation of aircraft (1903–1930) was maximum strength for minimum weight. Every other consideration in materials selection, including stiffness, toughness and durability, were secondary compared…

The development of new materials and better utilisation of existing materials has been central to the advancement of aerospace engineering. Advances in the structural performance, safety, fuel economy, speed, range and operating life of aircraft has been reliant on improvements to the airframe and engine materials. Aircraft materials have changed greatly in terms of mechanical…