Airframe Materials

United Performance Metals provides nickel, titanium, stainless steel, and cobalt for the aerospace industry, with many of these materials and grades used in the production of airframes. These materials hold several quality approvals, including AS9100D with ISO 9001:2015, AS13100, and DFARS, as well as a broad range of aerospace OEM approvals.

Fuselage: The fuselage is the body of the aircraft and provides the main structural support. Typically, fuselages are made of strong, lightweight materials that can withstand harsh environments. Ti-6Al-4V titanium is one of the main materials used for this application.

Doors: There are several types of aircraft doors, including passenger, cargo, and landing gear doors. These doors are made of various lightweight metal alloys to help reduce weight. UPM carries Ti-6Al-4V titanium and 15-5 PH stainless steel for this application.

Nacelles: The nacelles is a streamlined enclosure which houses the aircraft engine, fuel tanks, and other important components and equipment. This is crucial for reducing drag, protecting key parts of the aircraft, and managing noise and thrust. Nickel alloys are the primary material used for the nacelles, including 625 and 718 nickel, as well as titanium Ti-6Al-4V.

Landing Gears: Aircraft landing gears are composed of several parts, including structural components, steering and braking mechanisms, hydraulics systems, wheels, and tires. Landing gear parts are primarily made of high-strength metal alloys that are durable and fatigue resistant. UPM carries Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6-6-2 titanium and 15-5 PH, 17-4 PH, and Custom 465® stainless steel.

Thrust Reversers: Thrust reversers, also sometimes referred to as reverse thrust, are mechanisms that redirect engine thrust to act against the direction of the aircraft’s forward motion, helping to provide additional braking during takeoff and landing. High strength alloys are typically used for this application, including titanium Ti-6Al-4V, 625 and 718 nickel, as well as 17-4 PH stainless steel.

Wings: The wings of an aircraft are usually made with materials that offer a good strength-to-weight ratio to help improve efficiency. UPM carries Ti-6Al-4V titanium and 15-5 PH stainless steel for this application.

Tail: Similar to aircraft wings, the tail is made with materials that provide a good balance of strength, weight, and fatigue resistance. UPM carries Ti-6Al-4V titanium and 15-5 PH stainless steel for the tail of the aircraft.