Introduction to Aerospace Materials

6

Production and casting of aerospace metals

6.1 Introduction

There are many stages in the manufacture of aircraft structures and engine components using metals, and it begins with the production and casting of the metal alloy. The mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and many other properties that influence the selection and performance of metals in aircraft are determined by their method of production and casting. The production process involves the melting of the base metal, addition of selected alloying elements in carefully controlled concentrations to the molten metal, and then casting of the molten metal into a solid product for subsequent forming and machining into the final aircraft component. The structure and properties of ...