Aerospace fasteners are made of stronger and lighter materials than their commercial counterparts. They are crucial to aircraft safety and fuel efficiency.
Increased demand for air travel
Increasing demand for air travel is a significant factor driving the growth of aerospace fasteners. The rapid rise in the world’s population and rising tourism have contributed to this demand. The lowering of import duties for manufacturers has also positively impacted the market.
Moreover, manufacturers are focusing on reducing the final weight of aircraft. This will allow them to travel a long distance and carry more payloads. This will increase demand for titanium fasteners in military unmanned aerial vehicles.
The aerospace industry requires high tensile, shear, and fatigue strength fasteners and corrosion and oxidation resistance. These fasteners must also be lightweight to withstand gravity stresses and operate while leaving the earth’s atmosphere. Aluminum is a common material for these fasteners, but it weighs three times as much as steel. A newer option for aerospace fasteners is the hi-lok pin, which features a two-part assembly with a pin and collar. These fasteners maintain a constant preload and provide a reliable joint.
Increased demand for military aircraft
The rising need for air travel is anticipated to cause the worldwide market for aerospace fasteners to expand quickly. The increased demand for military aircraft has led to an increase in the manufacturing of fasteners for these planes. The increasing airline mergers have also boosted the aerospace fasteners industry.
Aerospace fasteners must be made from materials that can withstand extreme stress and temperatures. Various metals are used for aerospace fasteners, including aluminum, steel, titanium, and nickel-based alloys. While some of these materials are more resilient than others, the objective is to choose the best combination for optimum performance.
Superalloys are a new trend in the industry that provides improved strength and corrosion resistance. For example, aluminum is a popular material for aerospace fasteners, as it has a high strength-to-weight ratio and can be cold-formed to create very durable parts. However, it’s not good at surviving extreme temperatures, so it must be used with other materials that can withstand heat and other stressors.
Titanium is also nonmagnetic and highly durable. It is a crucial component in military jet engines and airframes. This reason is propelling the aircraft titanium fasteners market forward.
Increased use of superalloys
Aerospace fasteners play a significant role in keeping the various components of an aircraft body attached. This is crucial not only for performance but also for passenger safety.
To withstand such extreme conditions, aerospace fasteners must be made from unique materials that are more durable than conventional steel. For example, titanium alloys can be used instead of aluminum and steel fasteners as they offer better resistance to heat, corrosion, and a higher strength-to-weight ratio.
These fasteners are usually covered with special coatings or covers that offer various resistances required for different applications and environmental conditions. These special materials can also be more cost-effective and lighter than traditional steels. This is especially true for high-performance aerospace fasteners, like Hi-Lok pins and turn locks. Hi-Lok pins are two-part fasteners with a threaded pin and collar that can be released by loosening the screw, which allows for easier maintenance and relaxed quality control.
