18AE45 Aircraft Material Science syllabus for AE

Introduction to Aircraft Materials

General properties of materials, Definition of terms, Requirements of aircraft materials, Testing of aircraft materials, Inspection methods, Application and trends in usage in aircraft structures and engines, Selection of materials for use in aircraft.

Aircraft Metal Alloys

Aluminum alloys, Magnesium alloys, Titanium alloys, Plain carbon and Low carbon Steels, Corrosion and Heat resistant steels, Maraging steels, Copper alloys, Producibility and Surface treatments aspects for each of the above;

Super Alloys

General introduction to super alloys, Nickel based super alloys, Cobalt based super alloys, and Iron based super alloys, manufacturing processes associated with super alloys, Heat treatment and surface treatment of super alloys.

Composite Materials:

Definition and comparison of composites with conventional monolithic materials, Reinforcing fibers and Matrix materials, Fabrication of composites and quality control aspects, Carbon-Carbon Composites production, properties and applications, inter metallic matrix composites, ablative composites based on polymers, ceramic matrix, metal matrix composites based on aluminum, magnesium, titanium and nickel based composites for engines.

Polymers, Polymeric Materials & Plastics and Ceramics & Glass

Knowledge and identification of physical characteristics of commonly used polymeric material: plastics and its categories, properties and applications; commonly used ceramic, glass and transparent plastics, properties and applications, adhesives and sealants and their applications in aircraft.

Ablative Materials

Ablation process, ablative materials and applications in aerospace.

Aircraft Wood, Rubber, Fabrics & Dope and Paint:

Classification and properties of wood, Seasoning of wood, Aircraft woods, their properties and applications, Joining processes for wood, Plywood; Characteristics and definition of terminologies pertaining to aircraft fabrics and their applications, Purpose of doping and commonly used dopes; Purpose of painting, Types of aircraft paints, Aircraft painting process.

Corrosion and its Prevention

Knowledge of the various methods used for removal of corrosion from common aircraft metals and methods employed to prevent corrosion.

High Energy Materials:

Materials for rockets and missiles. Types of propellants and its general and desirable properties, insulating materials for cryogenic engines. Types of solid propellants: Mechanical characterization of solid propellants using uni-axial, strip-biaxial and tubular tests.

Course Outcomes:

At the end of the course the student will be able to:

1. CO1: Identify appropriate aircraft materials for a given application.

2. CO2: Explain the properties of super alloys, ablative materials and high energy material.

3. CO3: Understand material corrosion process and apply prevention technique.

Question paper pattern:

• The question paper will have ten full questions carrying equal marks. Each full question consisting of 20 marks.
• There will be two full questions (with a maximum of four sub questions) from each module.
• Each full question will have sub question covering all the topics under a module.
• The students will have to answer five full questions, selecting one full question from each module.

Textbook/s

1 Aircraft Material and Processes Titterton G F English Book Store, New Delhi 1998

2 Advanced Aerospace Material H Buhl Spring Berlin 1992

Reference Books

1 Handbook of Aircraft materials C G Krishnadas Nair Interline publishers, Bangalore 1993

2 Aerospace material Balram Gupta, S Vol. 1,2,3 ARDB, Chand & Co 1996

3 Materials for Missiles and Space Parker E R John Wiley, McGraw-Hill 1963

4 Materials of Aircraft Construction Hill E T Pitman London