73205 - Aerospace Technologies and Materials

Learning outcomes

The student is able to apply the principles of materials and process selection for minimum weight design in aerospace applications. The student knows how to identify the main factors influencing the selection of the manufacturing process. The student acquires also competences on advanced structural materials for aircraft components, propulsion applications and space vehicles.

Course contents

1) Introduction to aeronautical materials. Recent progress in materials, technologies and requirements. Current regulations concerning materials and technologies. Structural efficiency. Merit indices. Selection of materials and technologies.
2) Metallic materials: constitutive equations; aluminum, magnesium, titanium alloys; steel and cast iron; technologies.
3) Polymers and elastomers: constituive equations; technologies.
4) Composite materials: constitutive equations; composite laminates; resin matrix composites: reinforcements, matrices, foams and fillers; innovative composite materials; fabrication technologies: autoclave moulding, filament winding, pultrusion moulding, thermoplastic moulding; tooling: laser and water-jet.
5)Non-conventional materials and technologies: : Shape Memory Alloys, Smart Materials, Self Healing Materials, Additive Manufacturing.

6)Joints: rivets, welding, adhesive joints.

7)Production management. Non-destructive tests, maintenance and repair techniques. Quality issues.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides and lecture notes.
Recommended readings for in-depth analysis:

F.C. Campbell: “Manufacturing technology for aerospace structural materials”, Elsevier, 2006.

F.C. Campbell: “Structural composites materials”, Materials Park : ASM International, 2010.
D.F. Horne: "Aircraft Production Technology", Cambridge Univ Press, 1986.
D.H. Middleton: "Composite Materials in Aircraft Structures", Longman S.&T., UK, 1990.
R.M. Jones: “Mechanics of Composite Materials”, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York.
Lubin: "Handbook of Composites", Van Nostrand, New York, 1998.
Schwartz: "Composite Materials Handbook", McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1983.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures.Practical classes in the University labs (hangar, V-Lab).

Assessment methods

Oral test. Project work presentation.

Teaching tools

PC, projector, blackboard, lab equipments and facilities.

Office hours

See the website of Sara Bagassi