Most Common Uses of Stainless Steel in the Aerospace Industry

Stainless steel has long been hailed as a versatile and reliable material in various industries, and the aerospace sector is no exception. With its exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance properties, stainless steel plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, durability, and efficiency of aircraft components. In this blog, we will explore the most common uses of stainless steel in the aerospace industry, shedding light on how it contributes to the seamless operation of aircraft.

Actuators

Actuators are fundamental components used in aerospace systems to convert electrical or hydraulic energy into mechanical motion. Stainless steel is an ideal material for actuators due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to corrosion. These properties enable actuators to function reliably, even in harsh environments, thereby ensuring precise control of various aircraft systems, such as flight control surfaces, landing gear, and wing flaps.

Landing Gear Components

The landing gear is one of the most critical systems in an aircraft, responsible for absorbing the immense forces experienced during takeoff and landing. Stainless steel is extensively used in landing gear components, including struts, brackets, and fasteners. With its high tensile strength and resistance to fatigue, stainless steel ensures that the landing gear can withstand repeated stress and maintain structural integrity throughout its service life.

Aircraft Control Rods

Control rods play a vital part in transmitting mechanical motion from the cockpit controls to various aircraft systems, enabling pilots to maneuver the aircraft accurately. Stainless steel is an excellent choice for control rods due to its exceptional mechanical properties, including high strength, stiffness, and resistance to corrosion. These characteristics make stainless steel control rods durable and reliable, as well as capable of withstanding the demanding conditions encountered during flight.

Exhaust Components

The aerospace industry demands materials that can work optimally under high temperatures and in corrosive environments, particularly in the exhaust system. With its excellent heat resistant and corrosion resistant properties, stainless steel is widely used in exhaust components, such as turbine blades, exhaust nozzles, and engine exhaust manifolds. For this reason, its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and resist oxidation secures the longevity and optimal performance of these critical components.

Aerospace Fasteners

During aircraft assembly, engineers require a multitude of fasteners to hold various components together securely. As stainless steel fasteners offer exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and durability, they are an ideal choice for aerospace applications. These fasteners not only provide robust connections, but also contribute to the overall weight reduction efforts in aircraft manufacturing.

Conclusion

The aerospace industry demands materials that can withstand extreme conditions, provide excellent performance, and ensure the safety of both passengers and crew members. Based on our overview of stainless steel, it emerges as a clear winner in meeting these requirements. More than that, its strength, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance properties make it an indispensable material in various aerospace applications.

From actuators that enable precise control of flight surfaces to landing gear components that absorb enormous forces, stainless steel plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and durability of numerous aircraft systems. With this in mind, it is imperative that only high-quality stainless steel components are used in such applications, ensuring that your operations run smoothly. When you need superior caliber aviation products, connect with the experts at Hardware and Fasteners.

Hardware and Fasteners is a leading distributor that provides customers access to an expansive inventory of items that meet the needs of various industries. With countless new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find items on our database, customers can easily meet their rigid time constraints and inflexible budget parameters. Get started today by submitting an RFQ form through our website or contact us via phone or email at any time; we are available 24/7x365!

1. william brown
2. Posted on June 9, 2023
aerospace