During the last decade, weight saving in military and commercial aircraft structures has becomeone of the most important aspects of new aircraft design.Current designs of military and commercial aircraft utilize a high percentage of new structuralmaterials, mostly composites. A further reduction of weight can be achieved by redesigning theonboard electronic equipment casings, racks and boxes. The classical design is mainly based onaluminum alloys, which for many years proved to be adequate from the point of view ofelectromagnetic compatibility, heat transfer, corrosion resistance and strength.It is estimated that the weight of the casings may constitute 25-40% of the total weight of theelectronic equipment, therefore the casings have a high potential for meaningful weightreduction.Since much of the electronic equipment is situated in the cockpit of the aircraft (basicallyavionics), this area is an excellent candidate for weight reduction. The main objective of thecurrent investigation is to achieve a 30-40% weight reduction of avionic casings by substitutingcurrently used aluminum alloys with magnesium alloys.To achieve this objective, selection of appropriate magnesium alloys and fabricationtechnologies for avionics enclosures must be performed. The investigation should also deal withgalvanic corrosion, heat transfer and tailoring of electromagnetic properties.
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