EN 2048:2001

Overview

EN 2048:2001 is a European standard developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) that specifies the dimensions and tolerances for extruded L-section profiles made from aluminium alloys intended for aerospace applications. This standard ensures consistent product quality and interchangeability of aluminium L-sections used by aerospace manufacturers and suppliers across Europe.

As part of the aerospace series, EN 2048 contributes to maintaining stringent aerospace material standards by defining precise profiles in terms of height, width, thickness, and linear mass, supported by relevant tolerance limits. The standard is essential for engineers, designers, and quality control professionals in the aerospace industry who rely on reliable aluminium structural components.

Key Topics

• Extruded L-sections in Aluminium Alloys
  Specifies shapes characterized by two perpendicular legs forming an “L” shape, widely used in aerospace frameworks due to their strength-to-weight advantages.

• Dimensions and Tolerances
  Defines exact measurements for height, width, thickness, and mass per meter, including detailed tables covering a wide range of section sizes.

  • Heights from 10 mm up to 160 mm
  • Thickness ranging from 1.2 mm to 10 mm
  • Linear mass values from 0.081 kg/m to over 8 kg/m
  • Tolerance classes coordinated with EN 2066 standard

• Form and Beaded Radii
  Recommends dimensioning including beaded radii (fillet radius details), which affect mechanical properties and stress distribution.

• Normative References
  Cross-references other key aerospace metal standards including EN 2066 (general tolerances for extruded aluminium) and EN 4258 (organization of aerospace metallic material standards). This ensures alignment and compatibility within the aerospace supply chain.

Applications

EN 2048:2001 is crucial in aerospace manufacturing and design, supporting:

• Structural Frameworks and Assemblies
  Aluminium L-sections form lightweight, high-strength structural parts such as ribs, frames, reinforcements, and supporting elements in aircraft fuselage, wings, and interior fittings.

• Component Manufacturing
  Producers of aerostructures use these extruded profiles to fabricate precise, high-quality components that meet rigorous aerospace demands for mechanical performance and durability.

• Quality Assurance and Testing
  Aerospace quality engineers apply EN 2048 to verify dimensional compliance during in-process inspection and final approval of extruded aluminium L-sections.

• Design Engineering
  Enables aerospace designers to select standardised aluminium sections reliably, facilitating compatibility and retrofit ease during aircraft maintenance and upgrades.

Related Standards

• EN 2066: Aerospace series – Extruded sections in aluminium alloys – General tolerances
  Defines dimensional and geometric tolerances applicable to extruded aerospace aluminium sections, referenced directly in EN 2048 for conformity assessment.

• EN 4258: Aerospace series – Metallic materials – General organization of standardization
  Outlines the framework for the entire aerospace metallic material standards series, ensuring consistency and linkage among related EN standards.

• AECMA Standards
  EN 2048 was developed under the European Association of Aerospace Manufacturers (AECMA), which coordinates many standards governing aerospace materials and processes.

Summary

EN 2048:2001 is a vital standard for aerospace aerospace manufacturers and material suppliers specifying extruded L-section aluminium profiles with precise dimensions and tolerances. By conforming to this standard, the aerospace industry achieves uniformity, interchangeability, and quality assurance in aluminium structural components, ultimately contributing to safer, more efficient aircraft design and production. This standard integrates with complementary EN standards to form a robust regulatory framework for aerospace aluminium materials across Europe.

Keywords: EN 2048, aerospace aluminium L-section, extruded aluminium profiles, aerospace standards, aluminium alloys, dimensional tolerances, aerospace manufacturing, aircraft structural components, CEN aerospace standards.