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ケース スタディ / Case study

Material Outlook

Various materials are used in aircraft production
including aluminum alloy, steel alloy, titanium alloy, super
alloys and composite materials. Based on research
by MarketandMarkets, the largest premium market
research firm worldwide, aerospace materials are
especially focused on alloys and composites. Aluminum
alloy materials account for nearly 50% of the market
in terms of volume: however, only represents around
25% of the market in value. Demand for aluminum alloy
is expected to remain stable between 2014 and 2019
where increasing usage of new and innovative composite
materials and titanium alloys in new generation aircrafts
are expected to surge in demand in the near future.

Composite Trends

The use of composite materials has been rapidly growing
in the aerospace industry. MarketandMarkets’ report
indicates that the latest generation of aircraft have
demonstrated huge progress with the A350 XWB’s
structure at 53% composite materials and the Boeing
787 at 50%. The most common target within the industry The Hybrid of Things
is to utilize 50% in composite materials and achieve a
20% weight reduction by 2020. With the implementation Aircraft production rates are increasing rapidly as new
of new generation of twin-aisle jets, the demand for and more efficient generations of aircraft are replacing
composite materials is expected to triple over the next older models. Despite more composite materials being
20 years. used to replace aluminum alloys in new generation
aircraft, increased production rates will continue to
Composite materials are significantly more expensive secure stable and strong demands for aluminum from
to produce than aluminum. According to Oliver Wyman the aerospace sector over the next two decades.
consultancy, compared to machined aluminum,
thermoset composite materials cost about 15 times and The role of aluminum in aircraft production has been
thermoplastics cost around 75 times more to produce. innovated. In the future, aircrafts will be hybrids without
The most common types of aerospace composites one dominant material as it was with aluminum alloys
include glass fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber in previous generation aircrafts, although composites
reinforced plastics, metal matrix composites (MMC), will lead with up to around 50% per aircraft. The major
aramid fiber composites and ceramic matrix composites challenge remains in utilizing the two materials together,
(CMC). composites and aluminum alloys, especially at the fusion
interface. Joining or welding of these two materials is an
It is forecasted that demand for composites will important area for researchers to study.
experience the fastest growth due to growing
consumption in commercial and military aircraft Like any other another business, the aerospace
given several advantages including its light weight, materials industry is moving towards investment in new
comparative strength to conventional metals (a higher innovations to produce new and higher quality products.
strength-to-weight ratio), corrosion resistance and The companies involved in this market are extensively
extreme resistance to high heat. investing in research and development.

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