This chapter reviews the advances in the materials for applications in
structures of both subsonicas well as supersonic aircrafts. An account of the
operating and ambient environmental conditions during flight is first given and the
resulting material requirements have been discussed. Design relationships have been
established taking into consideration the loading conditions and the strength
requirements. In particular, the aircraft skin temperatures at various mach numbers
have been taken into account for selecting appropriate structural materials for both
subsonic and supersonic aircrafts; and consequently various aerospace aluminum
alloys, titanium alloys, superalloys, and composites have been suggested. Finally, a
new materials-selection chart is presented which would help aerospace designers to
select appropriate materials for structural application in subsonic and supersonic
aircrafts.
Keywords: Aluminum alloys, Composites, Materials selection, Subsonic
aircraft, Supersonic aircrafts, Titanium alloys.
