EN 3998:2007

Overview

EN 3998:2007 is a European standard developed by the AeroSpace and Defense Industries Association of Europe (ASD-STAN) and approved by CEN. It specifies the technical requirements for aluminium alloy AL-P2024-T4 or T42 in the form of sheet and strip products with thicknesses ranging from 0.3 mm to 6 mm. This standard focuses on materials specifically designed for aerospace applications, ensuring their quality, mechanical properties, and dimensional tolerances meet stringent industry demands.

Key Topics

• Material Designation: Covers aluminium alloy AL-P2024 in heat treatment conditions T4 or T42.
• Sheet and Strip Dimensions: Thickness range from 0.3 mm to 6 mm.
• Chemical Composition: Defines limits for key alloying elements such as copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and others to ensure consistency and performance.
• Mechanical Properties: Sets minimum requirements for proof stress (Rp0.2), tensile strength (Rm), elongation (A50 mm), and bending parameters.
• Heat Treatment: Specifies procedures for T4 and T42 temper conditions, including solution heat treatment and aging processes for optimized strength and durability.
• Testing and Inspection: Refers to EN 4400-2 for physical and mechanical testing methods, dimensional inspections, and marking requirements.
• Corrosion Resistance: Includes limits on intergranular corrosion penetration depth to guarantee material longevity in aerospace environments.
• Delivery Conditions: Covers as-rolled (F), solution treated, and artificially aged conditions for versatile aerospace manufacturing needs.

Applications

EN 3998:2007 aluminium alloy sheets and strips are critical components in aerospace manufacturing. Their applications include:

• Aircraft Structural Components: Wings, fuselage sections, and control surfaces requiring high strength-to-weight ratios.
• Aerospace Assemblies: Used in precision parts where dimensional tolerances and mechanical properties are critical.
• Defense Equipment: Reliable materials for military aerospace vehicles demanding durability and corrosion resistance.
• Lightweight Engineering: Components that require excellent fatigue resistance combined with formability for complex aerospace designs.

By adhering to EN 3998:2007, manufacturers ensure their aluminium materials perform reliably in the demanding aerospace sector, supporting safety, efficiency, and high standards of performance.

Related Standards

To fully implement and comply with EN 3998:2007, several related standards provide complementary specifications and guidance:

• EN 4400-2: Aerospace series - Aluminium and aluminium alloy wrought products - Technical specifications for sheets and strips, including testing methods and dimensional requirements.
• EN 4258: Aerospace series - Metallic materials - General organization of standardization, describing the framework within which EN 3998 operates.
• EN 4500-2: Aerospace series - Metallic materials - Rules for drafting and presentation of material standards, specific to aluminium and magnesium alloys.
• CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations: Define procedures for adoption and national implementation of European standards, reinforcing legal and commercial consistency across member states.

Together, these standards form a comprehensive framework for aluminium materials in aerospace, ensuring quality assurance from raw material production to final product delivery.

Adopting EN 3998:2007 benefits aerospace manufacturers by providing a harmonized specification for aluminium alloy AL-P2024-T4/T42 sheet and strip. This ensures superior material performance, regulatory compliance, and optimal compatibility within the aerospace supply chain.