Short answer: Aircraft lean on a short list of qualified metals: 2024 and 7075 aluminium for skins and spars, titanium and Inconel for hot or fatigue-critical parts, and ultra-clean steel for landing gear, each supplied to aerospace material specifications with full traceability.
At a Glance
Why Aerospace Is a Metals Problem
Every kilogram saved in the air frame pays back across the life of the aircraft, so alloys are chosen for strength-to-weight first and then qualified for fatigue and corrosion. Our 7075 vs 6061, 2024 vs 7075 and 7075 Properties guides show the trade-offs buyers weigh.
Aluminium: The Workhorse
2024-T3 skins and 7075-T6 spars still dominate the primary structure because no other low-cost metal beats their strength-to-weight. Compare families in our Aluminium Alloy Series Guide; 6061 and 5083 appear in less critical structures — see 6061 Properties and 5083 Properties.
Titanium and Nickel Alloys
Titanium Ti-6Al-4V earns its place in fasteners and engine-adjacent parts through low density and corrosion immunity, while nickel alloys such as Inconel 718 hold strength hot — covered in our Titanium Grade 2 vs 5 and Inconel Supplier pages, with the creep angle in our Creep Guide.
Design Drivers: Fatigue, Creep and Toughness
Aircraft parts fail from cycles, not just load, so designers quote fatigue limits and fracture toughness, not just ultimate strength. Our Fatigue Guide, Fracture Toughness Guide and Vibration Fatigue Guide explain the numbers that gate qualification.
Specifying and Sourcing
Aerospace buyers specify alloy, temper, heat-treat and AMS or EN standard on the purchase order and expect mill test reports. Our How to Choose a Metal Supplier and Mill Test Certificate Guide cover what to put in an RFQ.
Get a Quote
Tell HXSCO your requirements and we will respond with a competitive quote and lead time.
Frequently Asked Questions
2024-T3 for skins and 7075-T6 for spars and fittings, for strength-to-weight.
High strength-to-weight, corrosion immunity and good fatigue for fasteners and hot zones.
Inconel 718 for mounts and Inconel 625 for high-heat sections.
By AMS or EN specification with full mill test report and traceability.
We supply qualified alloys with mill certificate; confirm the exact spec on your RFQ.
Source Aerospace-Grade Metal from HXSCO
HXSCO supplies aircraft-grade aluminium, titanium and nickel alloys with mill certificate. Send your specification and quantity for a quote.