A Review of U.S. Air Force Research Related to Airframe and Engine Materials

Abstract

The goal of U.S. Air Force sponsored research on the metallurgy of structural materials is to identify and explain microscopic and macroscopic phenomena which determine materials properties useful in aerospace systems and structures. The research addresses the fundamental physical nature of solids most directly relating to mechanical and thermal behavior. Such behavior includes an understanding of strengthening mechanisms, fatigue, plasticity, creep, fracture, shock loading, the effect of stress state, the kinetics of phase transformations, lattice imperfections, and the thermal dependence of properties. An important output of this research is information that will lead to improved structural alloys of aluminum, titanium, and nickel, and a thorough understanding of the scientific principles governing their properties and behavior. This paper is a partial review of research sponsored by the U.S. Air Force.