This course is intended for aircraft structural engineers to equip themselves with requisite familiarity with the materials for aircraft construction. The focus is thus on structural materials for airframe, covering their mechanical behaviour, major processes such heat-treatments of alloys and curing of composites, scientific principles behind alloying and their heat/mechanical treatments, relevance for aircraft structures and usage in aircraft. Major materials included are Al-alloys, Ti-Alloys, Aircraft steels and fiber composites. Study of other materials, such as transparent materials used in aircraft, coatings and adhesives, and also materials used in aero-engines is limited to only a brief overview.
The course is planned in 6 modules to be covered in 40 physical-lecture-hours, as given below. Changes may occur in the content or the duration or both, depending upon the progress shown by the students as well as other requirements that may arise during the conduct of the course.