Material Selection Guide
for Low-Altitude Economy Applications
Selecting the right material based on specific operational scenarios is crucial for performance and durability.
Referring to the scenario matrix outlined in the White Paper on the Low-Altitude Economy by the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, we highlight typical material solutions for key applications.
Scenario 1: Agriculture and Forestry Operations
In agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries, aerial vehicles are widely used for crop transportation, seeding, field inspection, pesticide spraying, fish fry delivery, and fire patrols.
Material selection in this sector should prioritize:
Moisture and heat resistance
Chemical corrosion resistance
Recommended material solutions include:
Key Structural Load-Bearing Components
(e.g., fuselage frames, spraying brackets)
PA6-GF30
High strength and excellent fatigue resistance. Moisture absorption can be minimized with appropriate surface treatments. Suitable for long-term, heavy-load agricultural operations.
PPO/PS Alloy
Flame retardant and resistant to pesticide corrosion. Ideal for precision parts such as pesticide tank brackets and valve housings.
Titanium Alloy
Exceptional durability and corrosion resistance. Best suited for heavily exposed and repeatedly stressed parts like spraying arm connectors.
Chemically Resistant Exposed Components
(e.g., spraying nozzles, pesticide tanks, pipelines)
PPS-GF40 with Titanium Alloy Lining
The combination of PPS’s high-temperature and chemical resistance with a titanium lining provides outstanding protection against pesticide penetration, significantly extending component lifespan.
Lightweight Internal Components
(e.g., control panels, cockpit interiors, inner lining panels)
ABS
Cost-effective and easy to mold. Suitable for non-load-bearing interior parts; should avoid direct chemical exposure.
PC (Polycarbonate)
Excellent impact resistance, ideal for protective covers for monitoring screens or observation windows.
Aluminum Alloy
Lightweight, easy to form, and, after anodizing, highly resistant to humid environments. More economical than titanium alloys for non-critical parts.
Scenario 2: Transportation Applications
In transportation scenarios, aerial vehicles are primarily used for passenger and cargo transport, aerial photography, emergency response, and rescue services.
Given these applications, material selection must focus on:
Lightweight design to enhance flexibility and flight endurance
High rigidity and strength to withstand significant structural stress and external impacts
Based on specific demands, the recommended material solutions are as follows:
Core Load-Bearing Structures
(e.g., fuselage frames, landing gear)
PA6-GF30
High rigidity and lightweight properties, improving payload efficiency and operational safety.
PEEK-CF40
Exceptional strength and fatigue resistance, suitable for critical connectors in emergency rescue devices (e.g., hoisting mechanisms).
Titanium Alloy
Outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, ideal for high-load, high-safety structural points on rescue aircraft (e.g., rescue hook interfaces).
Aluminum Alloy
Lightweight with relatively high strength, can replace PA6-GF30 in secondary load-bearing structures (e.g., cargo bay brackets).
Functional Internal Components
(e.g., instrument panels, brackets, cabin door hinges, connectors)
PC/ABS Alloy
Balances heat resistance and processability, suitable for complex-shaped structural parts while reducing weight and maintaining strength.
Aluminum Alloy
Superior machinability compared to titanium, ideal for precision moving components requiring tight tolerances.
High-Speed Moving Components
(e.g., rotor shafts, transmission gears)
PEEK-CF40 with Titanium Alloy Coating
Combination advantage: PEEK offers excellent wear resistance and vibration damping, while titanium coating enhances surface hardness and high-temperature resistance.
Transparent Observation Components
(e.g., windows, camera housings)
Polycarbonate (PC)
Transparent and impact-resistant, ensuring clear visibility for aerial imaging equipment.
Scenario 3: Offshore Environmental Monitoring
In offshore environments, equipment often operates under conditions of salt spray, high humidity, and seawater corrosion.
Therefore, materials must exhibit excellent chemical resistance, particularly against salt spray and seawater corrosion. Additionally, a certain degree of heat resistance is required to withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Based on these environmental requirements, the recommended material solutions are as follows:
Highly Exposed Components
(e.g., sensor housings, external brackets, sensor mounts, floats)
Titanium Alloy
Exceptional resistance to seawater corrosion, ideal for sensor housings or anchoring structures submerged for extended periods.
Anodized Aluminum Alloy
Enhanced salt spray resistance after anodizing treatment, suitable for cost-effective floats or external support brackets.
PPO/PS Alloy
Excellent seawater corrosion resistance, suitable for precision monitoring devices operating in salt spray or immersion environments.
PPS-GF40
High temperature resistance and flame retardancy, ideal for components around engine compartments or solar panel installations.
Core Monitoring Device Components
(e.g., data pods, sealed housings)
PEEK-CF40
Superior creep resistance and low moisture absorption, preventing performance degradation in high-humidity environments; ideal for long-lifespan precision instruments.
Precision Instrument Sealed Cabins
PPO/PS Alloy + Titanium Alloy Frame
Combination advantage: PPO/PS alloy offers seawater corrosion resistance, while the titanium frame provides structural rigidity to prevent deformation.
High-Temperature Zones
(e.g., engine casings, exhaust ducts)
PPS-GF40 with Titanium Alloy Fasteners
Combination advantage: PPS provides heat and corrosion resistance, while titanium fasteners prevent connection failures due to metal rust.
Summary
Cost-sensitive applications (e.g., agriculture and forestry):
Primarily use PA6-GF30 + aluminum alloy, with PPS-GF40 or titanium alloy only applied to critical areas subject to chemical corrosion (e.g., pesticide exposure points).
Performance-first applications (e.g., rescue and transportation):
Mix titanium alloys with PEEK-CF40 for core load-bearing structures, balancing lightweight design with extreme mechanical strength.
Extreme environment applications (e.g., marine monitoring):
Titanium alloy is essential for components submerged for long periods, supplemented by PPO/PS alloys and anodized aluminum to optimize cost.
Of course, the above are general guidelines.
The core principle remains the same:
We can either balance performance and cost through a combination of low-cost base materials and high-performance critical parts;
or maximize performance-to-cost efficiency through hybrid designs (e.g., embedding titanium alloy reinforcements into plastic frameworks).
In the next article, we'll explore emerging high-performance materials that are suitable for more demanding applications.
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