What Are Aerospace Alloys Made Of?

Standards and Certifications

Aerospace alloys must comply with stringent standards:

• AMS (Aerospace Material Specifications).

• ASTM.

• MIL (Military standards).

• ISO aerospace material standards.

Traceability and certification are critical, and sasaalloy ensures all materials are supplied with full documentation to meet these requirements.

Conclusion

Aerospace alloys are made of carefully selected combinations of metals to achieve the perfect blend of strength, durability, weight savings, and resistance to extreme environments. Each element in these alloys serves a specific function, ensuring that modern aircraft and spacecraft meet the highest performance and safety standards.

If you’re sourcing aerospace alloys for your project, trust sasaalloy to deliver materials that comply with global standards and exceed performance expectations. Our team is ready to assist you with technical advice, certifications, and customized solutions tailored to your needs.

The aerospace industry demands materials that can withstand extreme conditions while offering the best balance of strength, weight, and durability. Aerospace alloys play a crucial role in meeting these requirements, as they are designed to perform under high stress, temperature fluctuations, and corrosive environments. But what exactly are aerospace alloys made of, and why are these specific compositions chosen? In this article, brought to you by sasaalloy, we provide a comprehensive overview of aerospace alloys, their key ingredients, and the reasons behind their widespread use in aviation and space technologies.

What Are Aerospace Alloys?

Aerospace alloys are specially engineered metal blends designed for applications in aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and related systems. These alloys combine multiple metallic elements to achieve properties that pure metals cannot provide on their own, such as:

• High strength-to-weight ratios.

• Exceptional fatigue and creep resistance.

• Superior corrosion and oxidation resistance.

• Thermal stability over a wide range of temperatures.

Key Types of Aerospace Alloys

1. Aluminum Alloys

Composition

Aluminum alloys used in aerospace typically include additions of:

• Copper (Cu): Enhances strength and hardness.

• Magnesium (Mg): Improves corrosion resistance and strength.

• Silicon (Si): Reduces density and improves casting properties.

• Zinc (Zn): Contributes to high strength.

• Manganese (Mn) and chromium (Cr): Provide additional corrosion resistance and toughness.

Examples

• 2024 Aluminum Alloy: Al-Cu-Mg alloy known for high strength and fatigue resistance.

• 7075 Aluminum Alloy: Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy renowned for strength comparable to some steels.

Uses

• Aircraft fuselage skins.

• Wing structures.

• Internal frameworks.

2. Titanium Alloys

Composition

Titanium alloys often contain:

• Aluminum (Al): Strengthens titanium and improves thermal stability.

• Vanadium (V): Enhances toughness and corrosion resistance.

• Molybdenum (Mo): Improves high-temperature strength.

• Tin (Sn): Contributes to structural integrity.

Examples

• Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5): The most common aerospace titanium alloy, with 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium.

• Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo (Ti-6242): Designed for high-temperature applications.

Uses

• Jet engine components.

• Landing gear.

• Fasteners.

• Spacecraft structures.

3. Nickel-Based Superalloys

Composition

Nickel-based superalloys are complex and may include:

• Chromium (Cr): Enhances oxidation resistance.

• Cobalt (Co): Improves strength at high temperatures.

• Molybdenum (Mo): Increases strength and toughness.

• Aluminum (Al) and titanium (Ti): Strengthen through precipitation hardening.

• Tungsten (W) and tantalum (Ta): Provide creep resistance.

Examples

• Inconel 718: Ni-Cr-Fe alloy with excellent strength and corrosion resistance at high temperatures.

• Waspaloy: Ni-Co-Cr alloy used in high-temperature engine parts.

Uses

• Gas turbine engines.

• Exhaust systems.

• Combustion chambers.

4. Steel Alloys

Composition

Aerospace steels typically include:

• Chromium (Cr): Provides hardness and corrosion resistance.

• Nickel (Ni): Improves toughness and ductility.

• Molybdenum (Mo): Enhances high-temperature strength.

• Vanadium (V): Adds strength and fatigue resistance.

Examples

• 4340 steel: High-strength alloy steel for landing gear.

• 17-4 PH stainless steel: Precipitation-hardening stainless steel for structural components.

Uses

• Structural components.

• Engine mounts.

• Landing gear assemblies.

Why These Elements?

The elements in aerospace alloys are chosen for their ability to deliver:

• Lightweight performance: Crucial for fuel efficiency and payload capacity.

• Thermal resistance: Withstand extreme heat in engines and reentry conditions.

• Corrosion resistance: Essential for long-term durability in harsh atmospheres.

• Strength and fatigue resistance: Critical for safety and structural integrity.

Advances in Aerospace Alloy Development

Modern aerospace alloys continue to evolve, with ongoing research into:

• Al-Li (aluminum-lithium) alloys: Even lighter than conventional aluminum alloys, offering weight savings.

• Gamma titanium aluminides: For use in turbine blades.

• Metal matrix composites (MMCs): Combining alloys with ceramic or carbon fibers for superior properties.

sasaalloy works closely with aerospace manufacturers and research institutions to provide alloy solutions that meet the most demanding applications in the sky and beyond.

Typical Applications of Aerospace Alloys