Stainless Steel for Aviation

By chance, stainless steel made its debut in the year 1912. Harry Brearley was researching methods to get rid of rust buildup in rifle barrels. By chance, he discovered a scrap of steel from a previous experiment wasn’t rusting. He found that adding chrome to the steel significantly increased its resistance. His research led to the creation of chrome alloy steel. Stainless steel was first made on August 20th, 1912. Our daily lives now include a significant amount of stainless steel. We employ stainless steel in a wide range of applications, including automobiles, medical equipment, food packaging, and electronic devices. For many years, one of the biggest consumers of stainless steel has been the aviation sector. Stainless steel has long been a popular option for aircraft materials, especially as the sector increases quickly thanks to technical advancements.

Why Stainless Steel?

The aviation sector selects metals depending on a select few characteristics. They consist of conductivity, thermal expansion, malleability, ductility, elasticity, strength, hardness, and density. Almost any component of an aircraft may be made of stainless steel, according to a Federal Aviation Administration report. Spring, casting, tie rod, control cable, structural, and machined parts are examples of common applications.

According to their crystalline structure, which makes them perfect for use in aviation, stainless steels can be categorized. They consist of:

Austenitic – Because it contains carbon, chromium, and nickel, it can keep its structure across a range of temperatures. Greater amounts of chromium and nickel are found in super austenitic stainless steels, which increases the material’s resistance to stress-corrosion cracking.

Ferritic – Stainless steel that is extremely corrosion resistant but less durable than austenitic stainless steel.

Martensitic – This stainless steel sample, which has a chromium content of 11.5 to 18% and contains a lot of carbon, is exceptionally robust and durable. Heat treatment is another method for hardening it.

Stainless steel is another material that is frequently used since it can be processed with ease. According to a report by Fredric Flader, this is the case. Stainless steel is dependable, austenitic, and nonmagnetic, so it won’t interfere with navigational instruments in the cockpit of an airplane. Because of its resistance to corrosion, it is ideal for airlines to display painted artwork on the outside of their aircraft.

At Sumer Metal Industries, we are aware of stainless steel’s significance to the aviation sector. This is why we only provide our clients with products of the highest caliber, exceeding industry norms. Use our online form or give us a call at (022) 6636-2987 to request a free quote for any of our stainless steel goods.