Next-Gen Aerospace Materials: Balancing Performance, Durability, and Cost

Thursday, 24 April 2025

As aerospace demands push further—higher speeds, longer ranges, and tougher environments—the materials enabling these advances must keep pace. This panel explores the cutting-edge of aerospace material innovation, focusing on the delicate balance between high performance, long-term durability, and commercial viability. Industry leaders will discuss the role of composites, alloys, and hybrid materials in shaping the next generation of air and space vehicles. From design to deployment, we’ll examine the pressures driving innovation and the realities of scaling new material technologies in a risk-averse, cost-sensitive sector. 

 

Discussion Questions: 

• What are the most promising new materials redefining weight-to-strength ratios in aerospace applications? 

• How can manufacturers optimise material selection without compromising performance or inflating costs? 

• What role do novel composites and alloys play in extending aircraft lifespans and reducing maintenance? 

• How are supply chain constraints influencing the development and adoption of next-gen aerospace materials?