Technological aspects of the selection of structural materials for aviation products

Abstract

The article considers technological aspects of selecting structural materials for aviation products. It is shown that the material for aircraft elements should be selected not only by strength, density or specific stiffness, but also by a set of operational, technological, repair and economic factors. The main groups of materials used in aircraft structures are analyzed: aluminum, titanium and magnesium alloys, high-strength steels, polymer composite materials, hybrid and multilayer systems, as well as materials for non-load-bearing elements. A generalized approach to preliminary material selection at the stage of technological preparation of production is proposed. The research methodology is based on comparative analytical assessment of materials according to mass efficiency, specific strength, corrosion resistance, manufacturability, maintainability, prospects for application and suitability for the main operations of aircraft production. The results show that there is no universal material for all aircraft structural elements. The most rational approach is the combined use of metallic, composite, polymer and protective material systems according to the functional purpose of a part or assembly. The scientific novelty of the work consists in systematizing structural and auxiliary aviation materials from the standpoint of their technological suitability for manufacturing, joining, quality control, surface protection and repair.