Airware® | Aluminium-Lithium Alloys
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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.