History of aluminum in aviation and space industry

 　　Do you know that aluminum accounts for 75% -80% of modern aircraft?!

　　The history of aluminum in aviation and space industry can be traced back to a long time ago. In fact, aluminum was used in the aviation industry before the invention of airplanes. In the late 19th century, Count Ferdinand Zeppelin used aluminum to make the framework of his famous Zeppelin airship.

　　Aluminum is the ideal choice for aircraft manufacturing because it is lightweight and sturdy. Aluminum weighs about one-third as much as steel, enabling aircraft to carry more weight or improve fuel efficiency. In addition, the high corrosion resistance of aluminum ensures the safety of the aircraft and its passengers.

　　Common aerospace aluminum grades

　　2024- Typically used for aircraft skins, fairings, and aircraft structures. Also used for repair and recovery.

　　3003- This aluminum plate is widely used for coating fairings and baffles.

　　5052- Commonly used in the manufacturing of fuel tanks. 5052 has excellent corrosion resistance, especially in ship applications.

　　6061- Typically used for aircraft landing pads and many other non aviation structural end uses.

　　7075- Commonly used to reinforce aircraft structures. 7075 is a high-strength alloy and one of the most commonly used grades in the aviation industry (second only to 2024).

　　History of aluminum in aviation and space industry

　　The Wright brothers

　　On March 17, 1903, the Wright brothers carried out the first human flight in the world with their plane Wright Flyer.

　　Aluminum in aerospace industry

　　Wright brothers' Wright Flyer

　　At that time, the car engine was too heavy to provide enough power to take off, so the Wright brothers built a special engine, in which the cylinder block and other parts were made of aluminum.

　　Due to the fact that aluminum is not widely used and is prohibitively expensive, the aircraft itself is made of Sitka spruce and bamboo frames covered with canvas. Due to the low airspeed and limited lift generation capacity of the aircraft, it is crucial to keep the frame very light. Wood is the only feasible material, lightweight enough to fly, but sturdy enough to carry the required load.

　　The use of aluminum takes more than a decade to become more widespread.

　　the First World War

　　Wooden aircraft left their mark in the early days of the aviation industry, but during World War I, lightweight aluminum began to replace wood as an important component of aerospace manufacturing.

　　In 1915, German aircraft designer Hugo Junkers manufactured the world's first all metal aircraft; Junks J-1 single wing aircraft. Its body is made of aluminum alloy, including copper, magnesium, and manganese.

　　Aluminum in aerospace industry

　　Junks J 1

　　The Golden Age of Aviation

　　The period between World War I and World War II is known as the golden age of aviation

　　In the 1920s, Americans and Europeans participated in airplane races, which led to innovation in design and performance. The biplane was replaced by a more streamline monoplane and transitioned to an all metal frame made of aluminum alloy.

　　EAA_ Ford_ Trimotor

　　Iron Goose

　　In 1925, Ford Motor Company entered the aviation industry. Henry Ford designed the 4-AT, a three engine all metal aircraft using corrugated aluminum. It is known as the "Tin Goose" and is immediately popular among passengers and airline operators.

　　By the mid-1930s, a new streamline aircraft shape appeared, with multiple engines, retractable landing gear, variable pitch propeller and stress skin aluminum structure with tight rectification.

　　the Second World War

　　During World War II, many military applications required aluminum - especially the manufacturing of aircraft frames - which led to a surge in aluminum production.

　　The demand for aluminum was so great that in 1942, WOR-NYC aired a radio program called "Defense Aluminum," encouraging Americans to contribute scrap aluminum to the war. Encourage aluminum recycling, and "Tin foil Drive" offers free movie tickets in exchange for aluminum foil balls.

　　Between 1945 and May 296, the United States produced an astonishing 1944, 11 aircraft. More than half are mainly made of aluminum. The US aerospace space industry can meet the needs of the US military and US allies including the UK. At its peak in, American aircraft factories produced<>aircraft per hour.

　　By the end of the war, the United States had the world's most powerful air force.

　　modern

　　Since the end of the war, aluminum has become an indispensable part of aircraft manufacturing. Although the composition of aluminum alloys has improved, the advantages of aluminum remain unchanged. Aluminum allows designers to build aircraft as light as possible, capable of carrying heavy loads, using minimal fuel, and not rusting.

　　British_ Airways_ Concorde_ G-BOAC_ 03

　　Concorde

　　In modern aircraft manufacturing, aluminum is ubiquitous. The Concorde aircraft transported passengers at speeds exceeding twice the speed of sound for 27 years and was constructed with an aluminum skin.

　　The Boeing 737 is the best-selling commercial jet aircraft, making mass air travel a reality, with 80% made of aluminum.

　　Today's aircraft uses aluminum in the fuselage, wings, rudder, exhaust pipes, doors and floors, seats, engine turbines, and cockpit instruments.

　　space exploration

　　Aluminum is priceless not only in airplanes but also in spacecraft, where low weight and maximum strength are even more important. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite Sputnik 1 made of aluminum alloy.

　　Skylab_ and_ Earth_ Limb_-_ GPN-2000-001055

　　Skylab Space Station

　　All modern spacecraft are made of 50% to 90% aluminum alloy. Aluminum alloys have been widely used in Apollo spacecraft, Skylab space station, space shuttle, and International Space Station.

　　The Orion spacecraft - currently under development - aims to allow humans to explore asteroids and Mars. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin has chosen aluminum lithium alloy as the main structural component of Orion.