Fatigue optimization in aerospace aluminium alloys

Sinclair, Ian and Gregson, Peter (2001) Fatigue optimization in aerospace aluminium alloys. In, Cantor, Brian, Assender, Hazel and Grant, Patrick (eds.) Aerospace Materials. (Series in Materials Science and Engineering) Bristol, UK. Institute of Physics, pp. 119-149. (doi:10.1887/0750307420/b873c12).

Abstract

Aluminium alloys remain a key airframe material, particularly for civil aircraft. In terms of fatigue optimization, it is clear that a combination of materials and design/lifing improvements are required, with improved understanding and controlling of physical processes guiding the development of improved analysis and design tools (e.g. in the predictive treatment of variable amplitude behaviour). Whilst the physical processes contributing to fatigue characteristics in any given situation may be basically understood, the competition and interaction that may occur between different mechanisms in commercial microstructures under service conditions requires significant clarification and quantification if explicit fatigue optimization of airframe materials and structures is to be realized. With the ongoing demand for cost-effective performance improvements and the development of innovative materials/fabrication processes such as laser and friction stir welding, age forming and integrated component extrusions, high strength aluminium materials may be expected to maintain a competitive position in the next five to ten years. Such developments produce their own fatigue issues, as both materials and structural factors influence the processes of failure.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Download statistics