Aerospace / Aircraft (AQ) Ferrous Metals and Iron Alloys
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
Aerospace and aircraft ferrous metals and iron alloys are specialized materials used in the construction of aircraft components. These materials are designed to meet the stringent requirements of the aerospace industry, providing the necessary strength, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. They are typically composed of iron combined with other elements to enhance specific properties such as tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability.
Working Principle
The working principle of aerospace ferrous metals and iron alloys involves the combination of iron with other alloying elements like nickel, chromium, and molybdenum. These elements are added to improve the mechanical properties of the base metal, allowing it to withstand the extreme conditions encountered in aerospace applications. The alloys are engineered to maintain their structural integrity under high stress, temperature fluctuations, and corrosive environments, making them essential for the safety and performance of aircraft.
Applications
In the aerospace industry, ferrous metals and iron alloys are used in a variety of applications. For example, steel is commonly used in aerospace fasteners due to its ability to maintain mechanical properties over a wide temperature range and its resistance to high-temperature oxidation and corrosion . Additionally, stainless steel is valued for its strength and durability, making it suitable for parts exposed to high stress or corrosive environments .
Advantages over other Ferrous Metals and Iron Alloys
Aerospace ferrous metals and iron alloys offer several advantages over other materials. For instance, steel is the most used alloy in aerospace fasteners because of its strength, density, and resistance to unpredictable pressure conditions . These properties make it a reliable choice for critical components that require high performance and safety standards.
Limitations
One of the limitations of ferrous metals is their susceptibility to corrosion due to the presence of iron. This can be a significant drawback in environments with high moisture, humidity, or exposure to caustic substances, which may lead to part failure . To mitigate this issue, additives such as chromium can be incorporated into the alloy to enhance corrosion resistance.
Considerations
When selecting aerospace ferrous metals and iron alloys, several considerations must be taken into account. Initial costs can vary depending on the specific alloy and its composition. Operating expenses may be influenced by the material's durability and resistance to environmental factors, which can affect maintenance and replacement costs. The accuracy of the material in maintaining its properties under stress is crucial for ensuring the safety and performance of aerospace components. Additionally, the long-term durability of these materials can impact the overall lifecycle costs of the aircraft.
from Arnold Magnetic Technologies
Arnold Magnetic Technologies Non Grain Oriented (NGOES) Electrical Steel is optimized by thickness and finish to meet your most demanding needs for high speed, high efficiency motors and high efficiency transformer applications. When optimally applied, NGOES offers reduced eddy currents which... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; Biomaterial; Defense, Semiconductor
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Foil; Strip; Sheet
- Type: Miscellaneous Ferrous Alloy
- Thickness: 0.0040 to 0.0070
from High Performance Alloys, Inc.
N40 is a nitrogen-strengthened, high-manganese stainless steel with high strength and excellent resistance to corrosion at high temperatures. N40, also called Nitronic 40 ®, can be fabricated and is readily weldable. N40 has been used for chemical processing, pollution control equipment and... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; Chemical or material processing; Polution Control Equipment, Aircarft Components, Food Processing
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; UNS
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Profile or Structural Shape; Round Bar or Rod Stock
from Dexmet® Corporation, a part of PPG’s engineered materials division
A superior alternative to woven wire, our precision expanded metals are used in a wide variety of applications that require an open-area product. Dexmet expanded metal foils are used for aerospace and wind turbine lightning strike protection, EMI shielding, advanced primary and secondary battery... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; Automotive or Vehicular; Battery / Fuel Cell; Electronics or semiconductors; Oil & Gas Wells; Plain bearing or Bushing
- Shape / Form: Precision Expanded Metals
- Type: CarbonSteel; Stainless
- Features: Coated / Painted (optional feature)
from High Performance Alloys, Inc.
NITRONIC 50 Stainless Steel provides a combination of corrosion resistance and strength not found in any other commercial material available in its price range. This austenitic stainless has corrosion resistance greater than that provided by Types 316 and 316L, plus approximately twice the yield... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; Chemical or material processing; Marine; Nuclear; Oil & Gas Wells; Pressure Vessel (PVQ); Wear resistant parts or tooling
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; UNS
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Bar Stock; Hex; Profile or Structural Shape; Round Bar or Rod Stock
from High Performance Alloys, Inc.
Nitronic 60 is truly an all purpose metal. This fully austenitic alloy was originally designed as a temperature alloy, and subsequently has good high temperature properties for temperatures around 1800 ºF. The oxidation resistance of Nitronic 60 is similar to Type 309 S.S., and far superior to... [See More]
- Applications: Abrasion Resistant; Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; Automotive or Vehicular; Bearings or Bearing Quality; Biomaterial; Chemical or material processing; Marine; Pressure Vessel (PVQ); Resistance Alloy / Heating; Wear resistant parts or tooling
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; UNS
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Squares; Bar Stock; Flats / Rectangular Bar; Profile or Structural Shape; Round Bar or Rod Stock
from Universal Wire Works Inc.
Universal 347 is extensively used with the gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc and submerged arc processes. This alloy is suitable for welding stabilized steel grades 321, 347 and 348. Alloy 347 should be used when high service temperatures are encountered (above 700 degrees F). Alloy 347 is similar to... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; Arc Welding
- Specifications & Grades: AMS
- Type: AlloySteel
- Shape / Form: Wire
from Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc.
Shaped, Flat, Square, Round, Fine, Plated and Bare Wire ASTM A167, AMS 5523. 310S ALLOY DESCRIPTION. Alloy 310S is an austenitic chromium nickel stainless steel that posses good oxidation resistance and strength at high temperatures in continuous service up to 2000 ºF (provided reducing sulfur... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; Oil & Gas Wells; Resistance Alloy / Heating; Furnace Parts, Heat Exchangers, Paper Mill Equipment, Exhaust Parts In Gas Turbines and Aircraft, Jet Engine Parts, Oil Refinery Equipment
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; ASTM / ASME; UNS
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Coil Stock; Wire; Shaped, Flat, Square, Round, Fine, Plated and Bare Wire
from United Performance Metals
301 Full Hard differs from other forms of 301 offered by United Performance Metals in that it has been hard cold rolled to its full hard condition. This increases the metal's attractiveness for forming and increases its fatigue life. In its full hard condition, type 301 stainless steel has a tensile... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; BuildingConstruction; Structural; Wear resistant parts or tooling
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
from Loos & Co., Inc.
Round wire is available from .004 ” to .312 ” in versatile wire packaging options; coils, carriers, spools, reels - the way you want it! Shaped and Flattened wire available upon request. [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality
- Specifications & Grades: AISI
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Wire
from United Performance Metals
301-1/4 hard differs from other forms of 301 offered by United Performance Metals in that it has been hard cold rolled to its 1/4 hard condition. This increases the metal's attractiveness for mild drawing, stretching and forming operations. At 1/4 hard, type 301 stainless steel has a tensile... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; BuildingConstruction; Structural; Wear resistant parts or tooling
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
from United Performance Metals
301-1/2 hard differs from other forms of 301 offered by United Performance Metals in that it has been hard cold rolled to its 1/2 hard condition. This makes it ideal for applications requiring both formability and tensile strength of 150,000 PSI and yield strength of 110,000 PSI. Common Applications... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; BuildingConstruction; Structural; Wear resistant parts or tooling
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
from United Performance Metals
321 stainless steel is most similar to 304 stainless steel, however it contains the addition of Titanium making it an excellent choice for prolonged high temperature applications. The addition of Titanium stabilizes this grade of stainless steel against the formation of Chromium Carbide in heat... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; Automotive or Vehicular; BuildingConstruction; Chemical or material processing; Structural
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
from United Performance Metals
347 stainless steel has a high resistance to prolonged heat and corrosion making it well suited for engine, power generation, welded fabrications and other high heat applications. 347 stainless steel offers good mechanical properties with higher creep and stress rupture characteristics than other... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; Automotive or Vehicular; BuildingConstruction; Structural
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Plate; Strip; Sheet
from United Performance Metals
17-7 stainless steel develops its strength and hardness through heat treating. This makes it well suited for applications that require good formability, high strength/hardness and minimum distortion upon heat treating. Common Applications of 17-7 Stainless Steel. Aerospace applications. Chemical... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; Chemical or material processing; Oil & Gas Wells; Wear resistant parts or tooling
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Strip; Sheet
from United Performance Metals
17-4 stainless steel develops its strength and hardness through heat treating. This makes it well suited to applications that require ease of fabrication and then the addition of strength/hardness for improved reliability. 17-4 stainless steels provide an outstanding combination of high strength and... [See More]
- Applications: Aerospace or Aircraft Quality; Chemical or material processing; Oil & Gas Wells; Wear resistant parts or tooling
- Specifications & Grades: AMS; UNS
- Type: Stainless
- Shape / Form: Semi-finished, Mill Stock or Near Net Shapes; Bar Stock; Wire; Plate; Strip; Sheet