Saturday, January 11, 2014

Why Manufacturers Choose Sheet Aluminum For Aircraft

By Marissa Velazquez


Sheet aluminum is the material used in the aircraft industry as well as in many other applications. It is lightweight and strong. The sheets are relatively easy to cut, bend and form to any shape one might need and unlike steel do not rust. These characteristics make it ideal for use in the aviation industry.

In order to fly their first plane, the Wright brothers built it to be light in weight. They used wood to form a frame and covered it with fabric. Such construction would never meet the demands of commercial aviation. This metal provides the same lightweight airplane using a material that can withstand the weather conditions and speed that would destroy fabric.

The fact that the material does not rust is also an advantage. While oxides do form, they provide a protective coating instead of increasing the opportunities for more surface area to be exposed to the destructive forces of nature. The structural integrity and strength are maintained, providing the support needed to keep the airplane flying in the air.

Since this material does not rust, airlines have the option of not painting it. Adding a single coat of paint to a plane adds over 500 pounds of weight. In addition, paint often contains volatile organics that are of environmental concern. However, the metal is often painted as doing so helps to reduce other maintenance costs and allows for branding.

The malleability allows this material to be shaped to meet the manufacturer's requirement. It may be bent and attached to the underlying framework. Once in place, the framework prevents damage and helps the sheeting to hold its shape. Although the sheets do not solder well, they easily attach using adhesives and rivets that ensure the plane remains intact during flight.

As with all metals, the material is a good conductor of heat and thus a poor insulator. However, it provides protection from winds and water as the plane flies. With the addition of lightweight fiberglass insulation inside the space between the plane's skin and cabin walls, passengers fly in comfort. The cabin is warmed by body heat and a combustion heater. A second advantage of fiberglass insulation is that it provides a protective sound barrier for the passengers.

Use of this material in aircraft offers an environmentally sound decision. It can be recycled and used again for an infinite number of applications. Currently, nearly 75% of all this metal that has ever been produced since its initial discovery in 1888 us still in use today. Reuse of the material helps to reduce the energy needed for production and greenhouse gases by 95%. Thus, when aircraft are no longer usable, the metal from the framework and the skin can be reused to form new sheets for use in many different purposes.

Sheet aluminum offers many advantages in the aircraft industry. It provides the strength needed to protect the passengers and cargo that fly in the plane. It is not subject to the corrosion of iron or steel. It can be shaped to the form needed to meet design challenges. Materials are environmentally friendly and easily recycled an infinite number of times to reduce landfill wastes and to preserve other natural resources.




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