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Q:

Why don’t most airplanes have skin of steel?

A:

Though steel can be up to four times stronger and three times stiffer than aluminum, it is also three times heavier. Aluminum is lighter than steel, because it is less dense. By using aluminum, the skin can be made thicker (to help reduce buckling and fatigue) without adding as much weight.

Ask an Explainer
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Categories:
Structures & Materials
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