International Journal of Aerospace and Lightweight Structures

doi: 10.3850/S2010428615100047

Progressing History of Aluminium and Composite Materials in Commercial Aircraft Construction

Akhtar Naveed^1,a, Su Jun Wu^1,b and Akhtar Waheed^{2 1}Material Science and Engineering School, Beihang University, Beijing-China. ^anakhtar@is.buaa.edu.cn ^bwusj@buaa.edu.cn ²Department of Chemistry, University of Wah, Wah Cantt, Pakistan ^cwakhtar17@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we have reviewed the developmental history of two most commonly used aircraft grade materials. One belongs to the metal’s family and that is the aluminium (Al), the second one belongs to the composites family and that is the carbon fiber composites. The advantages and limitations of both materials were discussed in the light of the specific needs of commercial aircraft manufacturing industry. This study showed that during the first 100 years of the aviation industry, aluminium ruled as the most dominating material. Although carbon fiber composites have been appeared in the third quarter of the previous century, but their freely use in aircraft fabrication was hindered due to high manufacturing cost, lack of processing technology and deficiency in life assessment methods.

Keywords: AlLi alloys, Composite material, Carbon fiber composites, Aerospace grade material, Commercial aircraft, Aluminium.

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