Aerospace Materials Market By Material Type (Aluminum Alloys, Titanium Alloys, Steel Alloys, Composites), Aircraft Type (Commercial Aircraft, Business & General Aviation, Military Aircraft, Helicopters), & Region for 2024-2031

Aerospace Materials Market Valuation – 2024-2031

The aerospace materials market is expanding due to rising demand for lighter, stronger, and more durable materials in the aerospace industry. As the industry works for improved economy and performance, there is a strong demand for innovative materials that can reduce aircraft weight while maintaining structural integrity. Lightweight materials such as carbon fiber composites, titanium alloys, and sophisticated aluminum alloys aid in reaching this goal by enabling the market to surpass a revenue of USD 42.05 Billion valued in 2024 and reach a valuation of around USD 78.52 Billion by 2031.

The aircraft sector is seeing a boom in demand as the number of air travelers increases and commercial and military fleets expand. This expansion involves the construction of new aircraft which increases the need for aerospace materials. Advanced materials are also required for the construction of next-generation aircraft and spacecraft particularly those employed in space exploration and defense. These materials must survive tremendous temperatures, radiation, and the strains of space travel by enabling the market to grow at a CAGR of 8.12% from 2024 to 2031. 

Aerospace Materials MarketDefinition/ Overview

Aerospace materials are specialized materials used in the design and manufacture of airplanes and spacecraft. These materials are chosen because of their specific qualities which allow them to endure the harsh circumstances of aerospace environments like high altitudes, rapid temperature fluctuations, and exposure to high speeds and forces. Metals including aluminum, titanium, and steel alloys are an important type of aircraft material.

Another important application of aerospace materials is thermal protection systems (TPS) for spacecraft re-entry and high-speed flight. Ceramic tiles, ablative materials, and thermal blankets are used to handle the intense heat generated upon re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere or when experiencing atmospheric friction while flying at high speeds. Ceramic tiles are heat resistant and provide thermal insulation to spacecraft surfaces which is critical for guarding against temperatures of thousands of degrees Celsius.

The requirement for lighter, stronger, and more efficient materials will drive considerable developments in aircraft materials in the future. Aerospace materials such as aluminum, titanium, and composites are now commonly employed due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and longevity. Looking ahead, there is a rising emphasis on developing new materials with even higher performance characteristics.

Will the Increasing Demand for Aviation from Developing Countries and Budget Airlines Drive the Aerospace Materials Market?

The rising demand for aviation from developing countries and inexpensive carriers is likely to be a major driver of the aerospace materials industry. As emerging economies see strong economic growth and expanding middle-class populations, air travel demand surges. China, India, and Brazil are experiencing significant growth in domestic and international aviation traffic. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Asia-Pacific region is forecast to witness the greatest increase in air passengers reaching 3.9 billion by 2037 accounting for more than half of worldwide air travel. This expansion is increasing the demand for new aircraft which in turn drives demand for aerospace materials.

The aircraft materials market is set to profit from growing demand, as manufacturers seek novel, lightweight, and long-lasting materials to improve fuel efficiency and lower operational costs. According to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the global commercial aircraft fleet is predicted to increase from 25,900 in 2019 to 48,400 by 2039. This expansion necessitates the employment of sophisticated materials including composites, titanium alloys, and high-performance polymers. For example, the usage of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) in aircraft constructions has increased with modern aircraft such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner containing up to 50% composite materials by weight. According to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), these materials save 20% more fuel than typical aluminum frames.

 Will Technological Challenges Hamper the Aerospace Materials Market?

Technological issues may present some barriers for the aerospace materials industry but they are unlikely to significantly impede its overall growth trajectory. The aerospace industry is always pushing the boundaries of material science to fulfill the increasingly stringent performance requirements for aircraft and spacecraft. This quest for innovation may cause temporary roadblocks when new materials and manufacturing techniques are created and improved.According to a report released by the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, the global aerospace materials market is expected to reach $25.8 billion by 2028, rising at a 6.8% CAGR from 2021 to 2028. This expansion is anticipated despite continued technological obstacles reflecting the industry’s endurance and adaptability.

The NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate identifies many critical areas for material improvements including high-temperature materials for hypersonic flight, lightweight composites for higher fuel efficiency, and self-healing materials for increased longevity. While developing these cutting-edge materials is technically challenging, it also fosters innovation and opens up new business prospects. For example, the European Space Agency (ESA) says that research into advanced ceramics and metal matrix composites has resulted in improvements in thermal protection systems for spacecraft opening up new avenues for space exploration and satellite technologies.

 Category-Wise Acumens

Will the Strength-to-Weight Ratio Drive the Material Type Segment?

Aluminum alloys continue to dominate the aerospace materials market. This dominance stems mostly from aluminum’s superior strength-to-weight ratio which is critical for aircraft performance. Aluminum alloys are widely utilized to make aircraft wings, fuselages, and other structural components. Aluminum’s primary advantage is its ability to be lightweight while still providing great strength which has a direct impact on fuel efficiency and overall aircraft performance. Given the strict criteria for aircraft weight reduction to improve fuel efficiency and lower operating costs, aluminum alloys reach the ideal mix of weight and strength making them important in the aerospace sector.

Aluminum alloys are less expensive than other high-performance materials such as titanium and composites. Titanium alloys and composites have higher strength and high-temperature resistance but they are substantially more expensive to manufacture and process. This cost issue makes aluminum alloys a more economically viable choice for large-scale commercial aircraft manufacture. Furthermore, aluminum’s simplicity of manufacturing and availability reinforce its status as the material of choice for aerospace producers.

 Will the Expanding E-Commerce Sectors Drive the Aircraft Type Segment?

Commercial airplanes are the most significant segment. Commercial aviation’s dominance stems mostly from its sheer volume and scale as compared to other categories such as business aviation, military aircraft, helicopters, and other specialized aerospace vehicles. The commercial aircraft market includes passenger planes and freight carriers which are the foundation of global air travel and operations. Commercial aircraft demand remains constantly high driven by increased global connectivity, rising passenger traffic, and expanding e-commerce sectors. This segment’s emphasis on improving fuel efficiency and lowering operational costs encourages ongoing innovation and acceptance of innovative lightweight materials including aluminum alloys and composites. These materials reduce aircraft weight resulting in much lower fuel consumption and emissions addressing both economic and environmental issues.

The commercial aircraft segment dominates the aerospace materials market due to its massive size, ongoing demand for efficiency improvements, and considerable impact on global air travel and cargo transit. This segment’s emphasis on lightweight, durable materials such as aluminum alloys and composites promotes innovation and establishes material use patterns throughout the aerospace industry. This supremacy is maintained by continual breakthroughs in material science and manufacturing techniques which ensure commercial aviation’s position at the forefront of aerospace material uses.

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Country/Region-wise Acumens

Will Advanced Technologies for Aerospace Material Production Drive the Market in the North America?

The aerospace materials market in North America is expected to increase significantly owing to better material production processes. These revolutionary technologies are transforming the way aerospace materials are conceived, manufactured, and applied resulting in improved performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness in airplane and spacecraft components. According to a report by the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, the United States is the world’s top aerospace producer with civil and military aircraft, engines, and components sales totaling USD 217 Billion in 2019. This sizable market size lays a solid platform for the implementation of innovative material production processes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also supported these improvements with projects such as the Advanced Materials Research Program targeted at producing superior materials for aerospace.

The North American aerospace materials market is likely to benefit significantly from the integration of new technologies such as additive manufacturing, nanotechnology, and smart materials. For example, NASA has been aggressively studying and developing new materials for aerospace purposes such as high-temperature composites and lightweight metals. NASA highlighted its work on ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) that can resist temperatures up to 2700°F in a 2021 study with the potential to revolutionize jet engine design and efficiency. Furthermore, the US Air Force Research Laboratory has been investing in the development of advanced carbon nanotube materials which could result in significant weight savings in aircraft structures.

 Will the Availability of Raw Material Drive the Market in the Asia Pacific Region?

The availability of raw materials is a primary driver of the Asia Pacific aerospace materials market. This region is rich in resources necessary for aircraft manufacturing such as aluminum, titanium, and composite materials. Countries such as China, Japan, and India have large reserves of these resources giving them a cost advantage and increase in supply chain efficiency. According to the US Geological Survey, China is the world’s top aluminum producer accounting for approximately 57% of worldwide production in 2020. This availability of raw materials enables more cost-effective production of aerospace components luring both domestic and international businesses to establish operations in the region.

The increasing investment in advanced material research and development in this region is expected to improve the quality and performance of locally obtained raw materials. According to Asian Development Bank research, R&D expenditure in East Asia and the Pacific has continuously increased reaching 2.5% of GDP in 2018 exceeding the global average. This funding is driving material science advancements such as the creation of high-performance alloys and composites for aerospace applications. The Asia Pacific region is emerging as a major participant in the worldwide aerospace materials market thanks to the availability of raw materials and increasing technological improvements.

 Competitive Landscape

The aerospace materials market is a dynamic and competitive space, characterized by a diverse range of players vying for market share. These players are on the run for solidifying their presence through the adoption of strategic plans such as collaborations, mergers, acquisitions, and political support. The organizations are focusing on innovating their product line to serve the vast population in diverse regions.

Some of the prominent players operating in the aerospace materials market include

• Alcoa Corporation
• Aleris Corporation
• Allegheny Technologies Incorporated
• AMETEK, Inc.
• AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group
• ArcelorMittal
• Arconic, Inc.
• ATI Metals.
• Constellium N.V
• Cytec Solvay group
• Doncasters Group Ltd
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• Global Titanium, Inc.
• Hexcel Corporation
• Incorporated
• Kaiser Aluminum
• Kobe Steel Ltd
• Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings

Latest Developments

• In July 2022, Hexcel established a cooperation with Dassault to supply carbon fiber prepreg for the Falcon 10X program, which incorporates high-performance advanced carbon fiber composites in the manufacture of aircraft wings.
• In October 2022, Toray Composite Materials America and Speciality Materials, a boron fiber manufacturer, formed a partnership to create innovative next-generation aerospace materials with functional qualities. This move will improve Toray’s position in the aerospace materials market.

Report Scope

Aerospace Materials Market, By Category

Material Type

• Aluminum Alloys
• Titanium Alloys
• Steel Alloys
• Composites
• Others

Aircraft Type

• Commercial Aircraft
• Business & General Aviation
• Military Aircraft
• Helicopters
• Others

Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Research Methodology of Market Research

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• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market based on segmentation involving both economic as well as non-economic factors• Provision of market value (USD Billion) data for each segment and sub-segment• Indicates the region and segment that is expected to witness the fastest growth as well as to dominate the market• Analysis by geography highlighting the consumption of the product/service in the region as well as indicating the factors that are affecting the market within each region• Competitive landscape which incorporates the market ranking of the major players, along with new service/product launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions in the past five years of companies profiled• Extensive company profiles comprising of company overview, company insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis for the major market players• The current as well as the future market outlook of the industry with respect to recent developments which involve growth opportunities and drivers as well as challenges and restraints of both emerging as well as developed regions• Includes in-depth analysis of the market of various perspectives through Porter’s five forces analysis• Provides insight into the market through Value Chain• Market dynamics scenario, along with growth opportunities of the market in the years to come• 6-month post-sales analyst support

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