Materials durability data for the aerospace industry

Fatigue and fracture toughness data are an essential part of both design, and production quality assurance, in aerospace structures. ASTM E399 and ASTM E466 standards were developed, in the light of early disasters in commercial aerospace, and it has been argued that their combined, direct and indirect, impact on safety in the sector, is greater than any other test methods. While the volume of testing might seem relatively small compared with uniaxial and impact tests, these tests are essential to the extent that they are often duplicated within the value chain. This presentation will discuss how and where these tests are used, and emerging improvements, and how the industry can continue to make better and more sophisticated use of them.

Peter Bailey, Principal Scientist – Dynamic Applications, Instron