Aluminum Is Ideal Choice For Naval Designs

Modern aluminum alloys and their ability to provide strength, durability, protection and enhanced survivability – while at the same time offering less weight for increased speed, maneuverability and enhanced fuel efficiency -- makes the material an ideal choice in modern naval designs according to a paper by Alcoa Defense presented this week at the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) show.

Aluminum has been successfully used since its commercialization as a material for ships. Most recently, the newest ships from the U.S. Navy such as Joint High-Speed Vessel (JHSV) and Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) utilize aluminum in hull and super-structure applications. In fact, the Independence seaframe LCS features more than one million pounds of high-grade aluminum alloys in each ship, making it one of the single largest uses of aluminum in the world.

The presentation puts to rest the myths associated with aluminum and certain well-known naval incidents involving: the USS Belnap; HMS Sheffield; and the USS Stark. A thorough review of the literature and naval records across several countries dispelled the myth that “aluminum burned” in these incidents; in fact, conditions on a naval vessel do not exist to allow this to happen.

Survivability is a key factor in any military application. The ballistic performance of Alcoa’s newest alloys including 7085 (Alcoa’s ArmXTM for AP resistance and Blast protection) to 7039 were also covered at ASNE. Test data presented showed 7085 with up to 14% better performance than 7039 and 24% better than 6061 against AP threats. Additionally, ArmX ^TM AP Armor and Blast Armor have been shown to perform 5% better than 6061 and 5083 against FSP threats. Alcoa’s armor alloys have been battle tested in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The increase in performance through Alcoa’s newest defense alloys, as well as elimination of myths associated with naval incidents has ultimately led to a better understanding of aluminum’s potential, leading to its current use in the newest and most cutting-edge naval ships.