MATERIAL ENGINEERING

The Airbus A330 is a large capacity, wide body, twin-engine airliner capable of medium to long range
commercial passenger flights.
 The A330-200 engines:
 Rated ETOPS-180min (Extended-range Twin-
engine Operation Performance Standards)
 Thrust range: 303-320 kN (68,000-72,000 lb).

The types used:

 General Electric CF6-80E1
 Pratt & Whitney PW4000
 Rolls-Royce Trent 700

The PW 4000 engine:

The most advanced nacelle and the lightest weight.
 The first engine in the industry to qualify for ETOPS-180min
 Service-proven technologies in material and aerodynamics.
 Meets all present noise and emission regulations.
 Maximum performance, reliability and durability.
 PW4170 Advantage70™ provide upgrades.
 The pylon box is the
primary structure. It
supports the engine
through two points and is
attached in two points to
the half wing.
Material composition of pylon box
Pylon box structure
Steel

 Alloy consisting iron with carbon content ( 0.2% to 2.14%)

 Carbon acts as hardening agent – prevents dislocations of iron atom crystals

 Increased carbon content increase hardness and strength but also brittleness.

 Two types of steel:

> Carbon steel

> Alloy steel

Advantages of alloy steel over carbon steel:

 Greater strength, resistance to wear, springiness and resistance to corrosion.

 Improved mechanical properties obtained by less drastic heat treatment than required by plain carbon

steel.

Chromium molybdenum steel:

 It is an alloy steel.

 Molybdenum reduces grain size of steel and increases impact strength and elastic limit.

 Extremely wear resistant

 High fatigue strength

 Tensile strength

Ideal for high-strength structural application such as a pylon holding an engine of significant weight.
Inconel 718
 A nickel alloy containing chromium.

 It has a 50-55% content of nickel and 17-21% content of chromium

and small percentages of iron, aluminium and titanium.

Properties of INCONEL® alloy 718:

 Corrosion-resistance

 Excellent welding characteristics

 Good tensile strength

 Fatigue strength

 Creep and rupture strength

Use in pylon: 3 sleeve/thread pin assembly on Rib 18a (attachment point of pylon to wing)

Threaded pins are used to assemble 2 pieces together and must support the load hence Inconel 718 is an appropriate material choice. It has high tensile
strength, creep and ruptures strength and fatigue strength that is ideal for the function of supporting load and allows durability and reliability. Its
corrosion resistive property also allows more durability and reliability. The material can withstand high temperature (423° to 1300°F) which is ideal
considering the high temperature operation of the engine. The economical fabrication procedures enable the best mechanical properties to be
formulated.
Aluminium alloy
 Aluminium alloys are mixtures of aluminium with other metals like copper, zinc, manganese, silicon, or
magnesium.
 They are much lighter and more corrosion resistant than plain carbon steel, but not as corrosion resistant as pure
aluminium.
 Bare aluminium alloy surfaces will keep their apparent shine in a dry environment due to the formation of a clear,
protective oxide layer.

Use in pylon Forward access doors between ribs 10 and 11

 7000 Aluminium alloy series is an appropriate material choice for the forward access doors. It is light in weight and
has high tensile strength which makes it ideal for the function of supporting loads and allows durability and
reliability.
Properties of 7000 series-
 Alloyed with zinc
 Precipitation hardened to the highest strengths of any aluminium alloy.
 Primarily used due to its low weight, the ease with which they can be formed and fabricated, and their corrosion
resistance in many atmospheric and immersion environments.
 Not resistant to corrosion in many marine environments and are subject to crevice corrosion, pitting.
 Some of the 7000 series alloys are subject to stress corrosion cracking when heat treated to high strength levels.
 Subjected to galvanic corrosion as they have an anodic potential with respect to most other metals.
 Heat treatable to obtain high strengths..

Heat treatment of 7000 series

 Aluminium base 7000 series alloys can have improved tensile properties when, after heat treatment and
subsequent quenching, they are subjected to a three-step aging process comprising a first aging step at 190°-
230° F., a second aging step at over 230° F. and a third aging step at 315°-380° F.
 Stainless steel

o Stainless steel is an iron alloy with about 11% chromium.

o The chromium content in stainless steel alloys prevents corrosion.
o Types of stainless steel based on the crystalline structures: Austenite, Ferrite, Martensite, Duplex (austenite – ferrite)
and Precipitation-hardening martensitic stainless steels.

Use in pylon Spigot fitting and lower arm spar

o Spars are a means of providing extra strength to the structures and hence 17-4HP, a precipitate hardening stainless
steel is an appropriate material choice. It has high tensile strength, creep and ruptures strength and fatigue strength that is
ideal for the function of supporting load and allows durability and reliability. Its corrosion resistive property also allows more
durability and reliability

Properties of Precipitation hardening stainless steel

o Moderate to good corrosion resistance in a range of environments
o Good oxidation resistance
o Easy machinability
o High Tensile strength
o Low cost
o High fatigue and creep strength

Manufacture and heat treatments

o Stainless steel is formed by solution annealing and precipitation hardening (age hardening)
Titanium
 Silvery grey white metal.

 Very reactive and because of that it is often use for alloying deoxidizing other metals.

Titanium and titanium alloys are heat treated for the following purposes:

 To reduce residual stresses developed during fabrication

 To produce an optimal combination of ductility, machinability, and dimensional and structural stability.

 To increase strength (solution treating and aging)

 To optimize special properties such as fracture toughness, fatigue strength, and high-temperature creep strength.

 Welding generally increases strength and hardness

 Welding generally decreases tensile and bend ductility

 Welds in unalloyed titanium grades 1, 2 and 3 do not require post-weld treatment unless the material will be highly stressed in a strongly reducing atmosphere

Titanium properties:

 High resistance to corrosion, stress, and cracking

 It withstands high temperatures

 It has high resistance to creep and fatigue .

 High strength to weight ratio and tensile strength

 Has low electrical conductivity

 Titanium alloys
Applications:
 High strength to weight ratio - Aircraft, fuselage skin, frames, compressor blades, nozzle guide vanes, and sporting equipment, etc.

 Excellent corrosion resistance - Chemical processing, desalination, power generation equipment, valve and pump parts, marine hardware, and prosthetic devices.

 In pylon construction such as primary structure, pylon to engine, pylon to wing, secondary structure and etc..

 Ti-5Al-2Sn-2Zr-4Mo-4Cr and Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al used for primary part of pylon Rib 12, Pylon to engine and pylon to wing part Rib 18A which contains 4 shackles made up of
Beta titanium alloys.

Alpha Alloys:
 Typically contain aluminium and tin, though they can also contain molybdenum, zirconium, nitrogen, vanadium, columbium, tantalum, and silicon.

 Do not generally respond to heat treatment, but they are weld able.

 Commonly used for applications like airplane parts, and chemical processing equipment.

 Ti-8AL-1Mo-1V, Ti-6AL-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo are the alpha alloys designed for resistance to creep at elevated temperature.

Alpha-Beta Alloys:
 for service up to 595 C, such as Ti-1100 and IMI-834 are being developed as casting. Can be strengthened by heat treatment and aging, and therefore can undergo
manufacturing while the material is still ductile, then undergo heat treatment to strengthen the material, which is a big advantage.

 As aircraft engine manufactures seek to use cast titanium at higher operating temperatures, Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo and Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo are being specified more
frequently.

 Other advanced high temperature titanium alloys

Beta Alloys:
 Smallest groups of titanium alloys
 Have good harden ability, good cold formability when they are solution-treated, and high strength when they are aged.
 Slightly denser than other titanium alloys.
 High creep resistant alloys, they are weld able, and can have yield strengths up to 1345 MPa. They are used for heavier
duty purposes on aircraft.

Fabrication
 Difficult to fabricate because of its susceptibility to oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen impurities which cause the titanium to
become more brittle.
 Elevated temperature processing must be used under special conditions in order to avoid diffusion of these gasses into the
titanium.
 Commercially produced titanium products are made in the following mill wrought forms; plate, tubing, sheet, wire, extrusions,
and forgings.
 Titanium can also be cast, which must be done in a vacuum furnace because of titanium's reactive nature.
Primer on steel

 There is a very large range of different primer systems that can be applied to bare steel, aluminium sprayed
surfaces or galvanized surfaces.

 For protecting internal suraces, component is usually galvanized first and any required cosmetic painting
applied on the visible external surfaces. Steel primers provide additional corrosion resistance and improve the
appearance of decorative top coat finishes.

Special properties
 Non toxic – safe to use.
 Designed to match electrical resistivity
 Contains no chlorides or carbon particle dispersions
 Alkaline in nature, will increase passive protection
 Contains a powerful corrosion inhibitor

Application
 It is widely used in aviation particularly in pylon construction. Such as primary part Rib 1 pyramid structure, Rib
2 to 8, in two caps at upper spars, two side panels.
Sandblasting
 Sandblasting is a process of smoothing, shaping and cleaning a hard surface by forcing solid particles

across a surface at high speeds.

 Mainly done to clean or etch a surface.

 t is also known as bead blasting or blast cleaning (similar effect as using sand paper.)

 Provides a more even finish, especially at corners with ease.

Sandblasting equipment

 The abrasive itself used for cleaning the surface

 An air compressor

 Blaster gun

Applications

 Sandblasting is primarily used for two different types of applications.

 Clean a surface of anything that might be clinging to it

 Either etch, carve designs into materials or to shape a material

It is mainly used as a method of priming (removal of all imperfections and giving a smooth surface) a

surface for the application of paint or a sealant.

Aluminium thermal spray
Thermal spraying is used to provide:
 Anti-Corrosion.
 Heat Shield.
 Erosion Prevention.
 Insulation

Benefits of Thermal Spraying

Types of Thermal Spraying Processes

 Comprehensive choice of coating materials: metals, alloys, ceramics, cermets and carbides.
 Thick coatings can be applied at high deposition rates.
 Coatings are mechanically bonded to the substrate can often spray coating materials which are
metallurgically incompatible with the substrate, e.g., materials with a higher melting point than
the substrate.
 Components can be sprayed with little or no pre- or post-heat treatment, and component
distortion is minimal.
 Parts can be rebuilt quickly and at low cost, and usually at a fraction of the price of a
replacement.
 By using a premium material for the thermal spray coating, coated components can outlive new
parts.
 Thermal spray coatings may be applied both manually and automatically.
Cadmium plating
 Cadmium Plating is electroplating process which provides a deposition of corrosion resistant cadmium coating on metals
 Provides a high degree of corrosion protection unmatched by other coating systems.
 Protects even in aggressive corrosion conditions including atmospheric, saline and alkaline conditions.
 Unique ‘sacrificial’ action, meaning the protective coating, even after receiving damage or scratches, will itself corrode before allowing
the base material (steel and other structural metals) to corrode leaving it undamaged.

Features
 Superb corrosion protection; (> 2,000hrs salt spray)
 Low coefficient of friction (0.15 vs steel)
 Ductile
 Can be chromate coated for enhanced corrosion protection

Benefits
 Provides prolonged corrosion protection to key components
 Prevents galvanic corrosion between steel fasteners and aluminium
 Reduces the tightening torque of fasteners and allows repeated dismantling
 Helps guarantee the safety of highly stressed components
 Good lubricity, easy solderability
 Attractive polishable silvery finish

Applications
 In aerospace industries , Cadmium plating prevents bimetallic corrosion between high tensile steel fasteners and aluminium alloys.
 Important for bolts used with engines, major structural members and landing gear and for fasteners for aluminium sheet.
 Use of this process has been restricted in many industries to places where alternative coatings cannot be used, due to its health
hazards.
Pylon operating
conditions
 significant tension exerted on the pylon as it acts as a bridge between wing
and engine.
 thermal expansion and contraction while the aircraft is parked, engine warm-
up, take-off, reverse thrust, and cruise.
 thermal shock, cracking and unrestrained expansion weakens the structure
and it cracks.
 Wing flutter
 High number of cycles.
Conclusion

Material properties required by the pylon:

 High Tensile strength
 High Compressive ,shear , yield strength
 Tough – resistance to bending

Thermal properties
 Thermal stability
 Withstand high temperatures.
 Non- Flammable

Chemical properties
 High Corrosion resistance

In conclusion the materials in the pylon are appropriate for its function of supporting the engine to the wing. Steel

the major constituent of the pylon has the property of very high tensile strength making it a wise choice for the pylon

along with all the other materials such as stainless steel, titanium, Aluminium alloy and Inconel 718. The cadmium

plating and the Aluminium spray with primer coating enables the corrosion resistant property of steel.