Aerospace materials

This module will introduce you to the classification of aerospace materials. You will learn about the requirements for these materials.

Technologies always affect the structure and properties of materials. You will learn about the main forming technologies (metal forming, hot and cold working, and machining) and their effects on the structure of aerospace materials. Phenomena that accompany the machining operations will be examined as well.

This module will introduce you to aluminum alloys, which are crucial aerospace materials. Aluminum alloys were the first to be used in the manufacture of aircraft. The use of aluminum in revolutionized the aircraft industry.

Its advantages are high manufacturability and specific strength (the ratio of maximum stresses to weight). We will study various classifications and designations of aluminum alloys as well as the basics of heat treatment. We will learn how alloying elements affect the structure and properties of aluminum alloys.

We will learn about the role of titanium in the aircraft industry, its advantages and disadvantages for aerospace applications, the structure and properties of titanium alloys. We will examine promising titanium aluminides and shape-memory titanium alloys.

Titanium alloys have unique properties and are very promising as aerospace materials Titanium alloys are used in heavily-loaded airframe sections, undercarriage parts, skins to high Mach speed aircraft, jet engines, and many other aircraft components requiring high strength, fracture toughness and resistance to fatigue, creep and corrosion. These mechanical properties are superior to lightweight structural materials, including aluminum alloys and magnesium alloys.

This module will introduce you to high strength steels. Steel is used as an aerospace material, but to a lesser extent than titanium, aluminum, and composites. High strength steel cannot be replaced with other materials.

Advantages of using steel in highly-loaded aircraft structures include high stiffness, strength, fatigue resistance and fracture toughness. In this part of the video course, we will deal with steels used in landing gear and other high-strength components, namely: maraging steels, medium-carbon low-alloy steels, and stainless steels.