Aluminium structures used in aerospace - Status and prospects

Aluminium structures have proved to be very successful on aircraft in the past. However, following the oil crisis and its impact on economic boundary conditions, top priority was attached to a reduction in aircraft weight which is reflected by the increasing use of carbon fiber components in the aircraft structure. The metal-processing industry was forced to react to the new situation as evidenced by the initiation of developments of lighter aluminium-lithium alloys on the aluminium sector. The stagnation of alloys 8090 and 2091 is not only attributable to technical problems but primarily to immense commercial aspects, Present development activities for future aircraft generations focus on major improvements in the efficiency of aircraft at reduced manufacturing costs. It is hoped that new fuselage constructions incorporating integral structures made by laser beam welding, brazing and extruding from 6013 and/or new aluminium alloys will be successful.