This blog post covers the common aluminum alloys used in the aerospace industry and their specific applications. The aerospace industry requires materials that are strong, lightweight, and able to withstand high temperatures and pressures. Key product SEO to mention: 7075, 6061, and 2024 explaining how they are commonly used in aerospace applications due to their strength-to-weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance.
The extruded aluminum market for 6000 series alloy extrusions has many segments: Miniature, Large Press, Seamless Tube, Window & Door, and Transportation to name a few. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted each to various degrees. Many of the market segments bounced back in late 2021 and 2022. For a time, demand was at unprecedented levels. In late 2022 demand cooled and lead times contracted. At Profile Precision Extrusions our lead times twelve months ago were 13-15 weeks. Our lead times now are now running 6-7 weeks.
Hard Alloy Extrusions for Aircraft
The Hard Alloy Extrusions market faced delays in recovering from the pandemic. The demand for new aircraft virtually evaporated in 2020 and 2021 due to global restrictions on air travel. Travel bounced back in 2022 and with it demand for new aircraft. Boeing and Airbus have backlogs of hundreds of A320s and 737s. In the past month, both aircraft manufacturers have announced new production lines and increased build rates over the next three years. Combined they are now producing 80 planes per month, with plans to produce 125 per month in 2025.
Increased Demand and Increased Lead Times for Specialty Alloys
The aluminum alloys that make up the skeleton of 737’s and A320s are primarily 7075, 7050, 2024, and 2014. Developed in the 1930s by adding various amounts of copper or zinc, these alloys are two to three times stronger than 6061-T6 extrusions. Not surprisingly, the demand for hard alloy extrusions has increased. Lead times are currently ranging from 50 to 90 weeks! Profile Precision Extrusions is fielding inquiries every day from companies relying on these alloys to support current and future demand. Unfortunately, these alloys require special equipment and processing, and the supplier base is limited. Arizona, home to Profile Precision Extrusions, has two local companies that specialize in extruding hard alloys: Kaiser Aluminum and Falco. The other two main suppliers are Arconic in Indiana and Universal Alloys in Georgia.
Profile Precision Extrusions has also seen an increase in demand for our 6061-T6511 and 6063-T6 extrusions from the aircraft market. We supply extrusions used in the LED interior lighting systems, brackets that hold up overhead bins (that we all fight for prime boarding positions to use), and brushed and anodized trim used in galleys and structural extrusions and hinges for lavatories. Typically we are involved early in the new product development phase. We supply samples and work with the design team to improve the product over 6-12 months.
While the lead times for some extrusions may be daunting, we are experts at a wide variety of aluminum extrusion projects. If you have a new product design and would like to work with a team that has helped to develop over 5000 extrusions. Contact Us today.
