Every aircraft, rocket, and satellite begins with raw material. Before an engine roars to life or a fuselage is assembled, aerospace manufacturers need metals that are engineered for extreme conditions—lightweight but strong, corrosion-resistant but durable, and certified down to the last detail.
Sourcing those metals isn’t a matter of calling a supplier and placing an order. It’s a long, highly technical process that involves deep knowledge of material specs, mill capabilities, and strict industry regulations. In the U.S., where both commercial and defense aerospace programs are held to some of the highest material standards in the world, the metal sourcing process is a vital part of production.
It Starts with the Right Alloy
Not all metals are created equal. In aerospace, even a small deviation in composition or heat treatment can lead to performance issues or certification problems. That’s why material selection is always the first step.
Aluminum is still one of the most common metals used in aerospace, especially in structural components like wings, fuselage panels, and support frames. Grades like 2024, 6061, and 7075 are popular because they offer a good balance of strength and weight. But even these common alloys have multiple temper options and processing requirements depending on where and how they’ll be used.
Titanium is another critical material. It shows up in engine housings, landing gear, and high-stress structural parts because of its incredible strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to both heat and corrosion. Grade 5 titanium, or 6Al-4V, is one of the most frequently sourced varieties in aerospace manufacturing.
Then there are the nickel-based superalloys like Inconel and Hastelloy. These are built for high temperatures and are used in turbines and exhaust systems where conventional metals would deform or degrade. These materials are expensive, require special handling, and are only produced by a handful of mills in the U.S.
Domestic Sourcing for Speed and Control
Aerospace manufacturers often prefer sourcing metals from U.S. mills. There are a few reasons for this. Lead times are generally shorter, communication is more direct, and documentation is easier to manage. When engineers or quality managers have questions, it helps to be able to call the mill directly and speak with someone who knows the material and the spec.
There’s also the issue of compliance. For military and defense programs, materials often need to meet DFARS requirements, which means they must be melted and processed in the United States or in approved allied countries. Using domestic sources helps eliminate the risk of non-compliant material slipping through the system.
But even for commercial aerospace projects, buying domestic offers advantages. It’s easier to coordinate secondary services like testing or heat treating when the supply chain is local or when working with a US-based aerospace metal supplier. Plus, domestic mills are more likely to understand the certifications and paperwork that aerospace customers need, such as AS9100 or NADCAP.
Certifications Are Non-Negotiable
In most industries, a mill test report might be enough. In aerospace, it’s only the beginning. Every piece of metal needs to be traceable back to its melt source. That includes heat numbers, chemistry reports, mechanical test data, and often third-party verification.
If the metal is going into a flight-critical component—like a wing spar, rotor blade, or turbine disc—then it may also require nondestructive testing, such as ultrasonic inspection, to check for internal flaws. Some parts may need to be tested for grain direction or microstructure, especially if they’ll experience a lot of stress during use.
Getting all of this data and documentation in place requires more than just ordering the right alloy. It means working with suppliers who understand what’s needed before the material ever hits the machine shop. Many aerospace manufacturers lean on sourcing partners to handle these details, from verifying certifications to arranging independent lab testing.
Sourcing Coordinators Make the Difference
Most aerospace companies don’t buy metal from just one mill. They need different materials in different forms, all with different lead times. Coordinating all of that takes time, and that’s where sourcing partners come in.
A company like Red Lion Inc. plays a behind-the-scenes role in keeping the supply chain moving. They work directly with U.S. mills to source metals that meet aerospace specs, manage processing like cutting or grinding, and package everything up with the right paperwork and traceability.
It’s not just about finding material. It’s about getting it into the right format, with the right documentation, delivered at the right time. For projects with tight production windows, having someone handle the details—like matching alloys to mill capacity or bundling shipments—can prevent a lot of last-minute scrambling.
Handling Specialty Alloys
Sourcing materials like titanium and nickel alloys isn’t as simple as placing a phone call. These aren’t off-the-shelf products. They’re made in smaller volumes, often to custom specs, and only a few mills in the country produce them regularly.
When an aerospace project requires something like Inconel 718 or titanium tubing with precise wall thickness and tight tolerances, the sourcing process can take weeks or even months. Lead times are long, and availability can fluctuate based on demand from larger OEMs.
This is where relationships matter. A sourcing coordinator who already works closely with these mills can get accurate information, secure available lots, and sometimes negotiate small quantity orders that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. They can also help clients pivot quickly if a material becomes unavailable or if a new certification requirement is introduced mid-project.
Logistics and Lead Times
Once materials are sourced and approved, they still have to be shipped to manufacturers, often in exact quantities and on tight timelines. Aerospace companies don’t like to sit on excess inventory, especially when the material is expensive or requires climate-controlled storage.
Coordinators help manage the logistics side by consolidating shipments, arranging specialized packaging, or coordinating staggered deliveries to match production schedules. If multiple metals are coming from different mills but going to the same customer, a sourcing partner can combine everything into a single shipment, cutting down on freight costs and receiving complexity.
Processing Before Delivery
In many cases, raw metal isn’t delivered in its final form. It needs to be cut, heat treated, machined, or surface-treated before it’s ready for use. Doing this work at the mill isn’t always possible, especially when different processes are required.
Sourcing partners often manage these services through a network of trusted vendors. They’ll have a sheet cut to size, send it for grinding, and make sure it passes inspection—all before it ever shows up at the manufacturer’s door. This reduces delays on the production floor and ensures that everything arrives exactly how it’s needed.
Planning for the Long Term
Aerospace programs don’t run on short timelines. Once a design is finalized and materials are approved, those same alloys may be sourced repeatedly for years or even decades. That means consistency is critical. Sourcing teams need to be able to rely on the same mills, the same specs, and the same performance over the life of the program.
That’s why many aerospace companies treat metal sourcing as a strategic function, not just a transactional one. They want partners who understand the long game, who can help them stay ahead of changes in mill capacity, pricing, or regulatory requirements.
By working with a sourcing firm like Red Lion Inc., who know the U.S. metals landscape inside and out, aerospace manufacturers can keep their projects moving forward without surprises. Whether it’s a new prototype or a long-running production line, having the right metals in place makes everything else possible.
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