Industry procurement solution · Reviewed 10 August 2026

Metals for Aerospace Manufacturing

Aerospace metal procurement must conform to approved design data, material specification, condition, lot traceability, special-process controls and inspection route. A recognized alloy or mill certificate does not by itself authorize flight hardware, replacement parts or spacecraft use.

01 Service environment02 System requirements03 Codes & documents04 Inspection & delivery

Answer first

There is no single metal specification for an entire project

Divide the project into systems, document each service environment and governing code, then select compatible materials, product standards, fabrication routes, protection systems and inspection plans.

01Service environment

Approved configuration, material/temper condition, traceability and supplier-quality controls

02Service environment

Static, fatigue, vibration, temperature, corrosion and damage-tolerance conditions defined by the design

03Service environment

Machining, forming, joining, special process, handling and contamination controls

System map

Material and product selection by project system

System	Selection drivers and alternatives	Reviewed starting points
Structure and machined components	Specify the exact approved alloy, temper/condition, product form, thickness/section, material allowables and inspection route. Do not release procurement until the approved specification, configuration, inspection and traceability controls are complete.	Aluminum sheet & plate
Interior, ground-support and non-flight equipment	Keep non-flight commercial supply boundaries separate from flight-worthy parts and define corrosion, fire and finish performance. Do not release procurement until the approved specification, configuration, inspection and traceability controls are complete.	Stainless sheet Aluminum sheet & plate
Tubing and fluid interfaces	Define the approved tubing standard, fluid, pressure, cleanliness, joining process, test and identification requirements. Do not release procurement until the approved specification, configuration, inspection and traceability controls are complete.	Stainless pipe
Receiving inspection and traceability	Control receiving inspection, certificates, lot/heat identity, shelf-life where applicable, nonconformance and chain of custody. Do not release procurement until the approved specification, configuration, inspection and traceability controls are complete.	Aluminum sheet & plate Stainless sheet

Project control

Standards, certification and documents

Approved design data, part drawing, material specification and applicable customer/regulatory requirements
Material/temper certification, lot traceability, special-process and inspection records
Conformance, nonconformance and configuration-change documentation

Fabrication and logistics

Package interfaces to control

Fabrication drawings, welding, heat treatment, coating and repair procedures
Inspection hold points, testing methods, acceptance criteria and document approval
Identification through cutting and assembly, preservation, packing and consolidated shipping
Destination rules, site storage, installation interfaces and delivery sequence

Risk register

Common procurement risks

Equating alloy name or MTR with flight authorization

Mixing approved and commercial material lots or losing traceability after cutting

Changing condition, special process or supplier without design-authority approval

Comparable offers

Structured RFQ checklist

01RFQ input

Approved design authority, classification, governing code and supplier-approval status

02RFQ input

Exact part/product form, material specification, condition, dimensions and configuration identification

03RFQ input

Traceability, certificates, test records, inspection hold points and change-control requirements

04RFQ input

Fabrication, special process, packaging, preservation, destination and delivery-document requirements

Evidence

Sources and review

Project engineering documents and current governing standards supersede this general selection map.

AC 20-62E: Eligibility, Quality, and Identification of Aeronautical Replacement Parts

Federal Aviation Administration · Active advisory circular

NASA-STD-6016 Standard Materials and Processes Requirements for Spacecraft

NASA · C with Change 1, active

Project sourcing from China

Build a traceable Aerospace manufacturing supply package

Share the design basis, system list, specifications, quantities, inspection plan, destination and delivery schedule.

Discuss the project