The Need for New Materials in Aging Aircraft Structures
Abstract
The end of the Cold War and political and economic considerations has resulted in an effort to extend the life of many aircraft that are the backbone of NATO operational forces. Although some are designated to be replaced with new aircraft, the replacement schedule of many often requires an unprecedented life span of between 40 to 60 years before retirement. Many of the older aircraft have encountered, or can be expected to encounter, aging problems such as fatigue cracking, stress corrosion cracking, corrosion and wear. In order to ensure continued airworthiness and flight safety the structural components undergoing these problems will have to be repaired or replaced. Alloy development that has taken place since a large percentage of the older aircraft were put into service has resulted in several new materials, heat treatments and processing technology that can be used for appropriate longer lasting and higher performing airframe components thus reducing life-cycle costs. This paper describes some of these materials and their advantages over those suffering from "aging problems".
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADP010408
Entities
People
- C. J. Warren
- E. A. Starke Jr.
- R. J. Bucci
Organizations
- Alcoa