N'GENIUS for Aerospace

Advanced technologies need advanced materials.

The design characteristics of stainless steel make it an integral material for aerospace applications.

With its mechanical strength, corrosion resistance properties and its capability to perform in a wide temperature range, aerospace projects around the world will utilise stainless steel in one form or another.

Aircraft structures, landing gear, fuel systems, hydraulic systems and fastenings are just some examples of the numerous apparatus that require stainless steels to operate safely and efficiently.

However, the extreme conditions in which aerospace equipment operates in poses significant challenges for conventional austenitic stainless steels that are no longer able to meet demanding requirements.

This is being further exacerbated by the urgent need for aviation to reduce its environmental impact. Alternative propulsion systems, more efficient engines and more sustainable materials are key to the future of both air travel and space exploration.

Hydrogen is emerging as one of the most promising pathways toward a cleaner, more sustainable future in aerospace and aviation.

As global pressure mounts to decarbonise air travel, hydrogen offers a solution capable of eliminating CO₂ emissions at the source when used in fuel cells or combusted directly. Unlike traditional jet fuels, hydrogen produces only water vapor when utilised efficiently, making it an ideal candidate for achieving net-zero goals. Major aerospace companies and research institutions are already investing heavily in hydrogen technologies, exploring both liquid hydrogen fuel systems and hydrogen-electric propulsion as alternatives to kerosene-based aviation.

However, integrating hydrogen into aviation is not without challenges:

• The infrastructure required to produce, store, and transport hydrogen safely on a large scale is still in development
• Liquid hydrogen is typically stored at 20K (−253°C), requiring new aircraft designs and refueling systems
• Global airports will need to adapt to handle hydrogen logistics safely and efficiently.

Despite these obstacles, the technological and economic momentum behind hydrogen continues to grow, supported by advances in cryogenic materials, fuel cell efficiency, and renewable hydrogen production.

For hydrogen to become a mainstream aviation fuel, the following developments are essential:

• Infrastructure investment - Building hydrogen production, liquefaction, and refueling networks
• Aircraft redesign - Developing airframes and engines optimised for hydrogen storage and use
• Regulatory frameworks - Establishing global safety and certification standards for hydrogen-powered flight
• Renewable energy integration - Ensuring hydrogen production relies on green electricity sources
• Industry collaboration - Coordinating efforts across aerospace manufacturers, energy providers, and governments.

Together, these innovations will pave the way for a new era of zero-emission flight, redefining how the world connects while drastically reducing aviation's environmental footprint. And the N'GENIUS H2 Series^TM will be at the heart of it.

Read more about the N'GENIUS H2 Series^TM

For aerospace systems to become lighter whilst remaining strong, damage tolerant and able to withstand harsh conditions, more advanced materials must be utilised.

With superior mechanical strength, vastly improved corrosion resistance and a wide operating temperature range, grades from the N'GENIUS Series™ are perfectly suited for the skies and beyond.

Performance benefits of N'GENIUS™ alloys for the aerospace sector:

• Superior corrosion resistance
• Improved mechanical strength for structural integrity
• Thinner wall components allowing weight reduction
• Excellent toughness and ductility at ambient, sub-zero and cryogenic temperatures
• Increased austenite stability reduces risk of hydrogen embrittlement
• Non-magnetic properties.