Airbus A380: Requirements for the selection of materials and manufacturing technologies

The paper outlines the selection process and its dominating parameters, which resulted in the definition of materials and manufacturing processes for the A380 final configuration. The so-called "built-in potentials" of new technologies are highlighted and the evolutionary approach at Airbus for the deployment of new technologies is summarized. Laser-beam-welding technology will be detailed for the discussion of further aluminum alloy development in combination with advanced manufacturing processes.