Uses of Light Metals and Alloys – Application

Light alloys are used widely in aerospace, automotive, architectural, lithographic, packaging, electrical and electronic applications. They are the prime material of construction for the aircraft industry.

Light metals and its alloys are materials of relatively low density and high strength-to-weight ratios. These metals and alloys are of great importance in engineering applications for use in land, sea, air, and space transportation. Magnesium, aluminium and titanium are light metals of significant commercial importance. These three metals and their alloys comprise the bulk of the high strength-to-weight ratio metallic materials used in industrial systems. Aluminium is the most versatile of these materials and titanium is the most corrosion resistant with very high strength, while magnesium has the lowest density. Their densities of 1.7 (magnesium), 2.7 (aluminium) and 4.5 g/cm³ (titanium) range from 19 to 56% of the densities of the older structural metals, iron (7.9g/cm³) and copper (8.9 g/cm³). The metals commonly classed as light metals are those whose density is less than the density of steel (7.8 g/cm³, or 0.28 lb/in.³).

Since these pure metals are usually softer materials with insufficient strength, they must be alloyed to reach target mechanical properties. For example, high purity aluminium is a soft material with the ultimate strength of approximately 10 MPa, which limits its usability in industrial applications. On the other hand, tensile strength of 6061 aluminium alloy may reach more than 290 MPa depending on the temper of the material. Therefore, we are discussing primarily the alloys instead of pure metals.

Application of Light Alloys

Magnesium alloys — Forged magnesium wheels

Light alloys are used widely in aerospace, automotive, architectural, lithographic, packaging, electrical and electronic applications. They are the prime material of construction for the aircraft industry throughout most of its history. About 70% of commercial civil aircraft airframes are made from aluminium alloys, and without aluminium civil aviation would not be economically viable. One kilogram of metal saved in the design and construction of an aircraft can result in important weight savings construction costs and in total fuel requirements.

Other metals, such as steel and titanium, are sometimes used to build aircraft. Steel is heavy though, so not too much is used. Titanium is almost as strong as steel, has a medium weight, is heat resistant, and is corrosion resistant. For example, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the world’s fastest jet-propelled aircraft, is made of titanium. In some cases, these light alloys may be replaced by composite materials especially those made from glass fibers, carbon fibers, and Kevlar These composite materials are strong, but can weigh half as much as aluminium. These lightweight, customizable materials are becoming more popular. More than half of the materials used to make the Boeing 787 Dreamliner are composites.

Metal-based light alloys may be also used for parts that operate at high speeds and thus must be light weight to minimize inertial forces. Other commercial applications include hand-held tools, laptops, luggage, and ladders, automobiles (e.g., steering wheels and columns, seat frames, transmission cases).

References:

Materials Science:

U.S. Department of Energy, Material Science. DOE Fundamentals Handbook, Volume 1 and 2. January 1993.
U.S. Department of Energy, Material Science. DOE Fundamentals Handbook, Volume 2 and 2. January 1993.
William D. Callister, David G. Rethwisch. Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction 9th Edition, Wiley; 9 edition (December 4, 2013), ISBN-13: 978-1118324578.
Eberhart, Mark (2003). Why Things Break: Understanding the World by the Way It Comes Apart. Harmony. ISBN 978-1-4000-4760-4.
Gaskell, David R. (1995). Introduction to the thermodynamics of Materials (4th ed.). Taylor and Francis Publishing. ISBN 978-1-56032-992-3.
González-Viñas, W. & Mancini, H.L. (2004). An Introduction to Materials Science. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-07097-1.
Ashby, Michael; Hugh Shercliff; David Cebon (2007). Materials: engineering, science, processing and design (1st ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-7506-8391-3.
J. R. Lamarsh, A. J. Baratta, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 3d ed., Prentice-Hall, 2001, ISBN: 0-201-82498-1.

See above:
Light Alloys

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