R.J.H. Wanhill
Published: 2013-09-20
Total Pages: 42
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The material and manufacturing property requirements for selection and application of 3rd generation aluminium-lithium (Al–Li) alloys in aircraft and spacecraft are discussed. Modern structural concepts using Laser Beam Welding (LBW), Friction Stir Welding (FSW), SuperPlastic Forming (SPF) and selective reinforcement by Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs) are also considered. Al–Li alloys have to compete with conventional aluminium alloys, Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRPs) and GLAss REinforced FMLs (GLARE), particularly for transport aircraft structures. Thus all these materials are compared before discussing their selection for aircraft. This is followed by a review of the aluminium alloy selection process for spacecraft. Actual and potential applications of 3rd generation Al–Li alloys are presented. For aircraft it is concluded that the competition between different material classes (aluminium alloys, CFRPs and FMLs) has reached a development stage where hybrid structures, using different types of materials, may become the rule rather than the exception. However, aluminium alloys are still the main contenders for spacecraft liquid propellant launchers.