To transport people and cargo safely, planes must be durable, strong, and reliable. To manufacture reliable planes, engineers and others in the aviation industry use specific metals for engine parts and other components. Learn more about the most common metals used in the aviation industry below.
Aluminum
When a manufacturer builds a plane, they need to make sure it can lift off the ground. If people in the aviation industry built planes with heavy metal, they wouldn’t be able to take off easily. Aluminum is a lightweight, durable, and corrosion-resistant metal, so it’s very popular in the aviation industry. With aluminum components, a plane will be light, strong, durable, and fuel-efficient.
Stainless Steel
Another popular metal the aviation industry uses is durable and high-quality stainless steel. Stainless steel and other steel alloys are popular because they’re corrosion-resistant and can withstand high temperatures. A few parts that are often made of stainless steel are landing gear components, engine components, and actuators.
Tungsten
Engineers in the aviation industry use tungsten to balance an aircraft and minimize vibrations. This makes the flight sturdier, more pleasant, and safer for any passengers and cargo. Because pure tungsten is very soft, engineers will rarely use its pure form and incorporate tungsten alloys instead.
Titanium
Due to its incredible strength, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance, the aviation industry often uses titanium to make the plane’s body and its landing gear. They also use it for fuselage components, springs, engine parts, and fastening elements.
To recap, the most common metals used in the aviation industry are aluminum, stainless steel, tungsten, and titanium. If you want to purchase a 430 stainless steel rod or other metal alloys for your business, reach out to us at Diversified Metals. We’ll gladly help your business find the best metal alloys for all your applications.