Composite materials encounter the challenge of the new American aluminum alloy

Alcoa has developed a new type of aluminum alloy, which can reduce weight by 10% compared with a large number of composite materials, reduce manufacturing, operating and maintenance costs by 30%, significantly reduce production risks, and increase fuel efficiency by 12%. Alcoa Said that 787 and other aircraft use a large number of composite materials, making aluminum alloy face the danger of being eliminated, but the company's new solution can change this situation.

Alcoa has developed a new type of aluminum alloy, which can reduce weight by 10% compared with a large number of composite materials, reduce manufacturing, operating and maintenance costs by 30%, significantly reduce production risks, and increase fuel efficiency by 12%. If a new engine is used, the fuel efficiency can be increased by another 15%, and the comfort level of passengers is equivalent to that of an airplane that uses a large number of composite materials.

Alcoa said that the extensive use of composite materials in 787s and other aircraft put aluminum alloys in danger of being eliminated, but the company’s new solutions can change this situation. The use of new aluminum alloys can increase the additional value of short-range aircraft. Alcoa conducted a market survey, and the respondents included first-tier suppliers, airlines, maintenance companies, and leasing companies. They compared the use of aluminum alloy for the main load-bearing components of new aircraft with 54% composite materials. The result is that nearly 3/4 of the technicians and designers choose aluminum alloy, but managers and business people have found the opposite the result of.