Application of aluminium alloys for military purposes

Owing to their strength-to-weight ratio, plasticity, fracture toughness and corrosion resistance, aluminium alloys are widely applied in military industry. New technologies and intensive activity in this field enabled replacement of steel parts by aluminium alloys in development and production of modern fighting vehicles, missiles and ammunition, fighter aircrafts chips of war, floating bridges, etc. The characteristics of basic aluminium alloys (types 2xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx and 7xxx) and types of semimanufactures products (plates, sheets, profiles, forgings, castings) are presented as well as technologies of their forming and trends in development of high-strength aluminium alloys.