Advanced metallics for high temperature airframe structures

The development of new lower density materials with improved properties and higher use temperatures is considered essential enabling technology for nearly all envisioned aeronautics structural applications on the horizon. Notable examples of such applications include the High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) in the supersonic regime and the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) in the hypersonic regime. This paper reviews the vehicle as well as material requirements for such applications and identifies candidate emerging metallics along with examples of reported properties. Finally, critical needs and current development status of candidate metallics are addressed.