Scientists from BSU and Skoltech institute discover resistant and improved aluminium for aircraft

Scientists from Belgorod State University (BSU) and Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) have discovered a series of patterns in the atomic structure of aluminium, which might lead to new and more resistant aluminium alloys for aviation.

As per Anton Boev and his colleagues involved in the Skoltech project found that the structure of the particles, and hence the mechanical behaviour of the heat-treated alloy, changes in a predictable fashion. The researchers hope that the combination of mechanical qualities they've discovered will aid in extending the life of aeroplane components built of these materials.

The institution is setup to study aluminium alloys at the atomic level because the evolution of the commonly used Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloy structure and mechanical properties in various thermal or thermomechanical treatment modes and operating conditions is still poorly understood, explains the researchers.

“While experimenting with the heat-resistant aluminum alloy containing very small quantities of copper, magnesium and silver, we observed the formation of dispersed particles with a thickness of only a few nanometers which make the alloy much stronger despite their small size,” said Anton Boev, one of the scientists at Skoltech involved in the project.

“In addition, the particles turned out to be coherent and fit well into the aluminum matrix, like pieces of a puzzle, although with slight distortions in their atomic structure,” added Boev.