How to Answer: Why is fatigue stress testing so important for aluminum alloys used in the Aerospace industry?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Aerospace Engineer job interview.
4. Why is fatigue stress testing so important for aluminum alloys used in the Aerospace industry?
How to Answer
High strength aluminum alloys used in the construction of aircraft have become very common in the industry due to their light weight and overall strength. But, due to the sheer harsh conditions that airplanes and other aircraft are put through, stress testing aluminum alloys for the conditions they will put to use in is very difficult. As you answer this question and explain why fatigue stress testing is important, make sure to go the extra mile to talk about the different kinds of testing that you are familiar with and why those particular tests are important.
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 8th, 2021
Answer Example
"A reality in the Aerospace industry is that most aluminum alloys we use have been subject to high cycle fatigue testing but the HCF testing just doesn't do a material justice when looking at the stress that an aircraft puts its materials through. In a much better testing scenario, I only trust materials that have been subject to low cycle fatigue testing that utilizes high amplitude, low frequency strains that better test for materials in conditions with changing temperatures and cyclical conditions."
Written by Ryan Brunner on February 8th, 2021