AIRWARE® | Aluminium-Lithium Alloys
The right material choice for aerostructures has a major impact on performance and manufacturability. Developed over 20 years of pioneering R&D, Constellium’s Airware® pushes the boundaries of engineering and unlocks the potential of aluminium, providing low density, strength, thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and more. Combining aluminium, copper, silver, and lithium, Airware® features much lower density, higher stiffness, and better damage tolerance.
Airware® first ventured into space in 1998, when it replaced legacy alloy 2219 for cryogenic components of the space shuttle's external tank. Airware® 2195 offered enhanced damage tolerance and corrosion resistance, while its lower density helped the program to substantially increase its payload capacity.
Eight different Airware® alloys have been developed today, with applications including fuselage skins, stringers, floor structures and seat tracks, window frames, and large internal wing and fuselage components. The aerospace industry is constantly evolving, and we work in partnership with its leaders to keep developing customized aluminium-lithium alloy solutions that deliver top performance while promoting efficient design and lean production processes.
Airware® is fully industrialized, with one pilot casting facility at C-TEC and two casthouses at our Issoire site. Endlessly recyclable, it can be used again and again for different applications, ensuring cost savings and sustainability. Thanks to its lighter weight, Airware® can reduce CO2 emissions.
Airware® 2050 T84 plate
Airware® 2050-T84 was developed to provide lower density, higher modulus, and higher corrosion resistance than currently available on incumbent plate alloys such as 7050. Airware®2050 should be considered for parts that need high strength and high toughness levels, such as lower wing structures or heavy gauge parts like frames, beams, spars, or ribs. Airware® 2050 combines high strength, high damage tolerance, and low density in a thick plate product, resulting in unique weight savings potential. 2050 is available up to 6.5in (165mm) in thickness. Contact your Constellium representative for plates up to 8.5in (216mm).
Airware® 2195 T3/T8 plate
Airware® 2195 is available in T8 in sheet and plate as well as highly formable T34 plate that can be aged to the final T82 temper by the end user. Mill aged T84 plates are also available upon request. 2195 is a low-density aluminum alloy, developed to provide a high strength, high damage tolerance and Friction Stir Weldable alternative to currently available incumbent plate alloys.
It presents an excellent balance of high tensile/compressive strength, fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, combined with a 5% lower density and 8% higher modulus of elasticity. Available from 0.125 – 2.25in (3.2 – 57.2 mm), plates are successfully used for both cryogenic and non-cryogenic applications. Low density, high stiffness, very high strength, and good damage tolerance make this plate product a very attractive choice for direct and engineered substitutions in all weight-critical applications.
Airware® 2297 T87 plate
Airware® 2297, a low-density aluminum alloy, was developed to provide high toughness combined with improved fatigue and damage tolerance balance versus incumbent alloys. Spectrum fatigue is typically 3 to 5 times higher than current available solutions. This product is also characterized by 8% higher modulus of elasticity and high corrosion resistance. Airware® 2297 should be considered for fatigue critical components and delivers moderate strength level with high damage tolerance and corrosion characteristics, making it very attractive for frames, spars and bulkheads.
It has been successfully utilized in applications which require cyclical exposure to elevated temperatures, in the 110 °C (230 °F) range. Airware® 2297 plates also have also been used successfully for space applications which take advantage of the lower density and high modulus.
Airware® 2198 T8 sheet
Airware® 2198-T8 is a low-density aluminum sheet product designed to provide high damage tolerance combined with high strength and excellent corrosion resistance. Low density, high fracture toughness, and high strength make Airware® 2198 sheets an excellent choice for external fuselage skin and other fatigue and damage tolerance driven applications. Airware® 2198 is flying and in-use today on multiple programs and applications. Taking advantage of the improved properties and density, significant weight reductions can be achieved.
Airware® 2098 T8 sheet
2098-T8 is a low density aluminum sheet alloy designed to provide high strength and excellent corrosion resistance for aerospace applications. Airware® 2098 sheets are optimized for static-driven components, such as fuselage webs and doublers, as well as roll- or brake-formed stringers and frames, currently manufactured from 7075 or 7050 sheet. Thanks to its low density, increased stiffness and high mechanical strength compared to incumbent alloys, considerable weight reductions can be achieved.
Airware® 2196 T8511 extrusion
Airware® 2196-T8511 is a low-density extruded product developed to provide high toughness, high strength, and excellent corrosion resistance. Airware® 2196 delivers improved performance compared to legacy 7075 and 2024 extrusions. Airware® 2196 extrusions are available from 0.04 – 1.26in (1.0 – 32.0 mm) and are in use today as fuselage stringers and seat tracks and are an excellent choice for other balanced strength-toughness internal applications such as floor beams and lower wing stringers.
Airware® 2065 T84 extrusion
Airware® 2065-T84 is a low-density extruded product developed to provide very high strength and excellent corrosion resistance. Airware® 2065 delivers higher strength compared to legacy 7150 and 7075 extrusions, with a significant weight reduction.
Low density, very high strength, high stiffness, and good damage tolerance make Airware® 2065 extrusions an excellent choice for tensile and compression strength driven applications, such as fuselage and upper wing stringers, cargo floor grids, and seat tracks. Airware® 2065 is available in the thickness range of 0.04 to 0.499in (1.0 to 12.5 mm). For thicknesses 12.6 to 31.75 mm (0.50 to 1.25in) contact your Constellium representative.
Airware® 2076 T84 extrusion
Airware® 2076 T84 is a low density aluminum alloy developed for extruded products requiring high damage tolerance and excellent corrosion resistance. High fracture toughness, combined with high strength, stiffness, excellent corrosion resistance and very low density make Airware® 2076 an excellent choice for damage tolerance driven lower wing stringers currently using legacy 2024 T3511 extrusions. Airware® 2076 is available in profiles 0.55 – 1.25in (14 – 31.8mm) thick.