I've heard aluminum was a big one. Any others?
2007-02-28 11:17:02 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Most planes (military or not) are made primarily of aluminum because of its light weight compared to steel. High performance jets use more exotic alloys of aluminum, titanium and magnesium.
2007-02-28 12:03:53 · answer #1 · answered by Aldo the Apache 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most aircraft use alloys of Aluminum ffor both airframe and skin. Aluminum's lightness, along with its strength, makes it nearly ideal for aircraft manufacture.
Other metals used would be in wiring, hydraulic systems, engines, or other areas.
in some aircraft, however, aluminum won't stand up to the heat generated during flight. in these cases, titanium alloys are used, such as in the X-planes used by the US Air Force and NASA for experimentation, or in the high-speed SR-71 Reconnaisance plane.
Older planes were made of lightweight Balsa wood covered with Canvas and Paint (the paint was for rigidity, not color). you could literally put your hand through the wing. Newer planes handle speeds and stresses unimaginable in the pioneering days of flight, and so must use metal airframes and skins.
2007-02-28 12:19:41 · answer #2 · answered by m_wilson51 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having been in the Air Force before life in the civilian world. There are MANY different types of metal for about 32 different operating aircraft.
2007-03-01 12:51:55 · answer #3 · answered by Brooklyn Baby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aluminum, magnesium alloys, steel, and titanium. There is also some boron. These are found in the airframe.
Some more exotic alloys of these metals are found in the engines
2007-02-28 12:26:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anthony M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aluminum, magnesium (wheels), steel (stainless, cast, carbide), titanium (Mainly for compressor and turbine blades), depleted uranium (counterbalance), lead, several types of composite materials, fiberglass
2007-02-28 12:47:08 · answer #5 · answered by Sloth for President 2012 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the cargo and transport planes or made out of aluminum and the fighter jets are made out of compacts (type of fiberglass)
the frames of all plane now are aluminum
2007-02-28 12:36:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A metal that only the United States government can afford:
UNOBTAINIUM
2007-02-28 11:59:25 · answer #7 · answered by cptdrinian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are usually made of cheese or plastic. Much cheaper to charge the tax payers for.
2007-02-28 11:20:20 · answer #8 · answered by The Fallen Angel 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Titanium airframe.
2007-02-28 11:22:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fastest use titanium.
2007-02-28 11:37:52 · answer #10 · answered by Mere Mortal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋