Materials Research & Aircraft Collection

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering has disposition of a highly advanced structures and materials laboratory.

During your studies at Delft, you will be doing exercises in this laboratory, including measuring the fatigue resistance of a new aluminium alloy, or riveting two plates together and comparing the strength of the connection with plates that are glued together.

The structures and materials laboratory is specialised in the development of advanced materials, structural design, and manufacturing techniques specifically for aircraft application. However, the laboratory is not only a pioneer in the field of aircraft structures and materials, but it also aims to produce spin-offs for other applications. Students may graduate within these subject areas.

Three aspects characterize the research efforts in this laboratory:

1. Basic scientific research
2. Integration of the various fields of study
3. Close co-operation with business and industry

The laboratory has the know-how, skills, and equipment to cover the complete development of a structure: from materials science, structural design and manufacturing techniques to the fabrication and testing of full-scale components. The laboratory equipment ranges from ‘simple’ tension machines to a self-built fuselage skin fatigue simulation set-up.