Aerospace Quality Requirements
AS9100 certification is mandatory for aerospace CNC machining, with stringent quality controls and documentation requirements.
AS9100 Key Requirements
| Requirement | Description | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Traceability | Full material history | Lot tracking, heat numbers |
| First Article Inspection | AS9102 forms | Complete dimensional report |
| Calibration | All measurement equipment | NIST-traceable, annual calibration |
| Non-conformance | Document and correct | 8D reports, corrective actions |
| Supplier control | Approved supplier list | Audits, performance monitoring |
Critical Aerospace Materials
Aluminum Alloys
- 2024-T351 (structural, high strength)
- 7075-T7351 (highest strength aluminum)
- 6061-T6 (general purpose)
Titanium Alloys
- Ti6Al4V (Grade 5) – most common
- Ti6Al4V ELI (Grade 23) – medical/aerospace
- Ti-5553 (near-beta, high strength)
Superalloys
- Inconel 718 (high temperature)
- Hastelloy X (corrosion resistance)
- Waspaloy (extreme temperature)
Special Processes
- Heat treating: Solution treat, age hardening
- Surface treatment: Anodizing, alodine, passivation
- NDT: X-ray, dye penetrant, ultrasonic
- Shot peening: Compressive stress for fatigue life
Documentation Requirements
- Certificate of Conformance (CoC)
- Material Test Reports (MTR)
- First Article Inspection (FAI)
- Source inspection records
- Process traveler documentation
Industry Trends 2025
- Increased use of additive manufacturing for complex parts
- Digital twin for process validation
- Automated inspection with AI defect detection
- Sustainable manufacturing initiatives
Source: SAE International, AS9100 Rev D, Aerospace Manufacturing 2025
