Aircraft Materials Steel Part 1 2

Republic of the Philippines
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS

Institute of Engineering and Technology
Piccio Garden, Villamor, Pasay City
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
AIRCRAFT
MATERIALS
[STEELS]
TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 1 of 27

FIGURE 1. METTALIC AND NON-METTALIC MATERIALS

METALS FOR AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE


FERROUS MATERIALS ON AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES
The base material IRON is a chemical element which, in its pure form, is a very soft,
malleable and ductile metal which is easy to form and shape. In practical use pure iron
is very seldom encountered, but it is mixed with various other alloying agents.
Description
Steel is an excellent engineering material with many applications. For aircraft use,
however, it does have some significant problems. The main restrictions are its high
density (approximately 3 times the density of aluminum) and its susceptability to
corrosion. The corrosion of steel can be reduced by the addition of large quantities of
certain alloying elements, but this can have significant effects on properties and costs.

Between 9 and 15% (Airbus A320: 9% , Boeing B777: 11%) of an aircraft’s structure
is alloy steel and stainless steel. The high strength and high modulus of elasticity are
the primary advantages of the high-strength steels. This is useful for designs with
space limitations such as with some landing gear components. Alloy selection
considerations include service temperature, strength, stiffness, fatigue properties and
fabricability.

STEEL APPLICATION

Aircraft structural components made using high-strength steel

Aircraft structural components made using high-strength steel

Grades of steel
Most important groups of steels are:

- Mild steels
- High-strength low-alloy steels
- Medium-carbon steels
- Medium-carbon low-alloy steels
- Maraging steels
- Stainless steels

Alloy steels are classiﬁed based on:
- Chemical composition (Ni steels, Cr steels,

Ni–Cr steels, etc.)
- Microstructure (pearlitic, ferritic, martensitic,
etc.)
- Functions (structural steels, tool steels, etc.)
- Speciﬁc attributes (magnetic steels, heat-
resistant steels, corrosion-resistant steels,
etc.)

GENERAL ALLOYING ELEMENTS
The main alloying agents of steel are:
 Carbon (the most important element)

 Sulphur
 Manganese (produces a clean, tough and uniform metal)
 Silicon (acts as a hardener)
 Phosphorous (raises the yield strength and corrosion resistance)
 Nickel (adds strength and hardness. Nickel is the major ingredient for corrosion resistant steel)
 Chromium (increases the strength, wear and corrosion resistance)
 Molybdenum (increases impact strength and elastic limit)
 Manadium (increases the tensile strength and toughness)
 Titanium (reduces the brittleness of the steel).

DESIGNATIONS
Designations given to most low alloy steels are

based upon an AISI (American Iron and Steel
Institute) system that refers to the chemical
composition of the alloy.
ALLOYING ELEMENTS DESIGNATION (STEEL)

The first two digits refer to the specific primary alloying elements, the last two digits (or
the last three in a five-digit number) refer to the percentage of carbon
contained in the alloy.
10XX − refers to plain carbon steels (contain only carbon and manganese)
41XX − refers to chromium and molybdenum alloy steels
43XX − refers to nickel, chromium and molybdenum alloy steels
5210 − refers to a chromium alloy with .10% carbon
93XX − refers to a nickel, chromium and molybdenum alloy steel (with a different ratio
between these elements than is contained in the 43XX alloys).

MATERIAL DESCRIPTION

9Ni - 4Co.30C
is a specific trade name assigned to a nickel-cobalt alloy with .30% carbon. The 9 and
4 refer to the nominal percentages of nickel and cobalt in the alloy. The normally-used
low alloy steels and their applicable strength ranges are shown. Use of these alloys is
limited to the strength ranges shown. There are slightly different. For further
information refer to the ’Metallic Material List’ in the Structural Repair Manual (SRM) of
the specific aircraft manufacturer.

CORROSION-RESISTANT (STAINLESS) STEEL

Since the 1940s the term ’stainless steel’, also designated corrosion−resistant steel
(CRES), has become a household word because of its many applications in consumer
items as well as in aircraft construction. The development of stainless steel has made
possible many of the outstanding advances in aircraft, gas−turbine engines and
rockets. The most important characteristics of stainless steels are corrosion resistance,
strength, toughness and resistance to high temperatures.
These steels do not normally use the SAE classification but they are identified by a
three- digit system. The 200 and 300 series of stainless steel are known as ’austenitic’
and the 400 series is known as ’martensitic’. The most widely-used stainless steels for
general use are those in the 300 series, called 18−8 because they contain
approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Stainless steels can be divided into three
general groups based on their structures: austenitic, ferritic and martensitic.
STEEL COMPONENTS OF LANDING GEAR

PRIMARY STEELS USED IN AIRCRAF

Chemical Compositions of UHSS low alloy Aerospace Steels (wt.%)
SAE С Mn Si Ni Cr Mo V
4037 0.35-0.40 0.70-0.90 0.15-0.35 - - 0.20-0.30 -
4130 0.28-0.33 0.40-0.60 0.20-0.35 - 0.80-1.10 0.15-0.25 -
4140 0.38-0.43 0.75-1.00 0.20-0.35 - 0.80-1.10 0.15-0.25 -
4340 0.38-0.43 0.60-0.90 0.20-0.35 1.65-2.00 0.70-0.90 0.20-0.30 -
6150 0.48-0.53 0.70-0.90 0.20-0.35 - 0.80-1.10 0.15-0.25 0.15 min
300М 0.40-0.46 0.65-0.90 1.45-1.80 1.65-2.00 0.70-0.95 0.30-0.45 0.15 min
D6as 0.42-0.48 0.60-0.90 0.15-0.30 0.40-0.70 0.90-1.20 0.90-1.10 0.05-0.01
9260 0.56-0.64 0.75-1.00 1.80-2.20 - - - -
N.B: The maximum content of sulphur and phosphorus in all the grades is 0.02 and 0.025, respectively

UHSS Low Alloy Steels used in Aircraft
SAE no. and type Applications

4037 (Cr-Mo) Sheet fittings, landing gear axles, turbine components (rotors, shaft and discs),
highly stressed airframe components
4130 (Cr-Mo)
Axles, rotors, gears, perforators, high strength forged and machined parts,
4140 (Cr-Mo) landing gear, highly stressed fuselage fittings, propeller hubs, snap rings, bolts
4340 (Ni-Cr-Mo)
6150 (Cr-Mo-V) Propeller cones and snap rings, springs, shafts, gears, pinions, axles, heavy duty
pins, bolts
300М (Mn-Si) Springs
D6as (Ni-Cr-Si-Mo) Landing gear, airframe parts, fasteners
9260 (Cr-Mo-Ni-V) Landing gear, motor cases for solid fuel rockets, shafts, gears, springs

Mild steels
Mild steels (also called low-carbon steels) contain less than 0.2% carbon
and are hardened by cold working.
Mild steels have moderate yield strength (200 - 300 MPa) and are too
soft for aircraft structures.

High-strength low-alloy steels (HSLA)
HSLA steels contain a small amount of carbon (less than 0.2%) and alloying
elements (copper, nickel, niobium, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum and
zirconium).
The yield strength of HSLA steels is 250 - 600 MPa. Among other applications,
they are used in automobiles, trucks and bridges.

Medium-carbon steels
Medium-carbon steels contain 0.25 - 0.5% carbon and are hardened by

thermo-mechanical treatment to 300 - 1000 MPa.

Composition and Properties of some Steels used in Aircraft

Yield Ultimate
Elongation,
Steel Average composition strength, strength,
%
MPa MPa
MARAGING STEELS
0.03%C max, 18%Ni, 8.5%Co,
18Ni (200) 660 970 17
3.3%Mo, 0.2%Ti, 0.1%Al
0.03%C max, 18%Ni, 8.5%Co,
18Ni (250) 1700 1790 11
5%Mo, 0.4%Ti, 0.1%Al
0.03%C max, 18%Ni, 9%Co,
18Ni (300) 1950 2000 9
5%Mo, 0.7%Ti, 0.1%Al
0.03%C max, 18%Ni, 12.5%Co,
18Ni (350) 2300 2370 6
4.2%Mo, 1.6%Ti, 0.1%Al

Yield Ultimate
Elongation,
%
MPa MPa
MEDIUM-CARBON LOW-ALLOY STEELS
0.3%C, 1%Cr, 0.5%Mn,
4130 540 700 25
0.25%Si, 0.2%Mo
0.4%C, 1.8%Ni, 0.8%Cr,
4340 410 750 22
0.7%Mn, 0.25%Si, 0.25%Mo
0.38%C, 1.8%Ni, 1.6%Si,
300M 0.8%Cr, 0.8%Mn, 0.4%Mo, 1590 1930 7
0.05% min V
0.25%C, 11%Ni, 3%Cr,
Aermet 100 1720 1960 14
1.2%Mo, 0.45%V,
0.35%C, 5%Cr, 1.5%Mo, 1%Si,
H11 1650 2000 9
0.5%Mn, 0.4%Mn, 0.03%Ni

Yield Ultimate
Elongation,
%
MPa MPa
PRECIPITATION-HARDENING STAINLESS STEELS
0.07%C, 15%Cr, 4.5%Ni,
15-5 PH 1400 1470 10
3.5%Cu, 1%Mn, 1%Si, 0.3%Nb
0.07%C, 16%Cr, 4%Ni, 4%Cu,
17-4 PH 1150 1330 10
1%Mn, 1%Si, 0.3%Nb

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Republic of the Philippines

PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 1 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

FIGURE 1. METTALIC AND NON-METTALIC MATERIALS

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 2 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

METALS FOR AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 3 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 4 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

FERROUS MATERIALS ON AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 5 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 6 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 7 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Aircraft structural components made using high-strength steel

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 8 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Aircraft structural components made using high-strength steel

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 9 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Most important groups of steels are:

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 10 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Alloy steels are classiﬁed based on:

- Chemical composition (Ni steels, Cr steels,

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 11 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

GENERAL ALLOYING ELEMENTS

The main alloying agents of steel are:

 Carbon (the most important element)

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 12 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Designations given to most low alloy steels are

ALLOYING ELEMENTS DESIGNATION (STEEL)

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 13 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 14 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 15 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 16 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

CORROSION-RESISTANT (STAINLESS) STEEL

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

STEEL COMPONENTS OF LANDING GEAR

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 18 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

PRIMARY STEELS USED IN AIRCRAF

TOPIC: AIRCRAFT MATERIALS| Ver. 1 Rev. March 2021 Page 19 of 27

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Chemical Compositions of UHSS low alloy Aerospace Steels (wt.%)